Cloud County Men's Basketball Team Starts New Year with KJCCC Win Against Pratt
The Cloud County Community College men's basketball team opened 2026 with a 95-73 win over Pratt Community College in Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) play on Saturday, January 3. Five T-Birds finished in double-figures, led by 16 points, seven assists, and seven steals from sophomore guard Syncere Burnette.
Pratt scored the first two points of the game on a basket by sophomore center Muna Godswill. Two quick buckets by Burnette and sophomore guard DJ Holloway put Cloud County ahead at 4-2. The T-Birds never trailed again. Cloud County led by as many as 25 points in the opening half and held a 57-33 halftime advantage. Cloud County shot 20-of-33 (60.6 percent) from the field, 8-of-14 (57.1 percent) from behind the arc, and 9-of-12 (75.0 percent) from the free-throw line in the first half.
Cloud County continued its hot hand in the second half, jumping up by 36 points at 78-42 with 10:52 to play. The T-Birds had 11 different players contribute time on the floor in the second half, with nine finding their way into the scoring column, helping the T-Birds snap their six-game conference losing streak.
The 95-73 victory over Pratt marked the fifth time that Cloud County has scored 90 points or more this season, and the second time the T-Birds have won a KJCCC game by 20 points or more this season. The last 20-point win was on November 19 when Cloud County beat Seward County, 85-65.
Burnette led all scorers with 16 points. He also led the team in assists and steals with seven each. Sophomore guard Kuel Akot followed with 14 points with four made triples. Holloway, sophomore forward Elidjah Savane, and freshman forward D'ontez Walker totaled 11 points apiece. Holloway hauled in six rebounds to go with three assists and two steals. Savane added five rebounds.
Sophomore wing Samuel Akot scored nine points to go with a team-high nine rebounds. Freshman guards Will Otott and Kam Williams recorded six points each. Redshirt freshman Manasseh Stackhouse had five points, while freshman guards K'mari Holt and Jack Skocny scored three points each.
Cloud County shot 31-of-67 (46.3 percent) from the floor and 12-of-30 (40.0 percent) from behind the arc. Pratt went 28-of-66 (42.4 percent) from the field and 8-of-22 (36.4 percent) from three-point range. Cloud County outscored Pratt 28-12 in fast-break points and 27-8 in points off turnovers. The Beavers, however, outrebounded the T-Birds, 41-35.
Cloud County has improved to 7-7 overall and 2-6 in KJCCC action. The T-Birds continue conference play on Wednesday, January 7, at Fort Hays Tech Northwest. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 pm (MST) in Goodland, Kansas.