With two National Championships, three Runner-up titles, and nine Top 5 National finishes, the Johnson County Community College Women’s basketball team continues to crush teams around the country as they aim for another Division II National Junior College Championship title. With this goal in mind, the players have to be on the same page, so it helps when two of the team’s leaders can read each other’s minds. 

After a devastating loss to Kirkwood Community College at the end of a perfect season last year, the teams’ focus, drive, and show-no-mercy mentality is paving the way towards their objective. By putting up triple digits on the board and beating most of their opponents with point differences of over 40, the JCCC Women’s Basketball team, currently No. 2 in NJCAA Division II, is stopping at nothing to reach the top. How do they do it, and who do we see making big moves on the court? While watching a game, one can determine it’s a family affair, thanks to the dynamic sister duo, sophomore point guard, Taliyah Scott, and her sister, freshman guard Layla. 

“It’s like they’re twins, but they’re not twins,” Sophomore center Aa’Mya Stacker said. “They got the little telepathy thing going on… they find each other on the court without even looking, they just know where each other are.”

Layla comes out on top with the highest average points per game, sitting at 16.8, with the second highest average time spent on the court (25.1 minutes). Right next to her sister, sits T. Scott (27.2), who leads the team with assists (6.2 per game).

“Both young ladies come in with a consistency and work ethic that I think their parents should both be very proud of,” Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Benjamin Conrad said. “They show up every day and do their jobs.” 

Before coming to JCCC, Taliyah and Layla received offers from multiple other schools. So, what drove them to become Cavaliers? 

“[Conrad] recruited me at a very young age,” T. Scott said.. “He didn’t beat around the bush… he was blunt about everything, and that’s what I really liked.” 

At the end of the 2023-2024 season, the Cavaliers came up short of a national title. When asked about this, Taliyah believes that with her sister, as well as the entire freshmen lineup on the roster, they can change the outcome of this season in their favor. 

“…this freshmen class, they’re good,” T. Scott said. “They come in focused, they’re very talented, [and] they get everything very fast.” 

“Coach is always saying we’re ahead of schedule,” added Aa’Mya. 

Conrad agreed with that without even hearing them say it: “…we have sophomores that are all leading and freshmen that are learning to lead.” 

At the time of this writing, the JCCC Women’s Basketball team remains undefeated at 10-0. Coach Conrad believes the culture of the team is the driving force.  

“Everything is about the team,” Conrad said, “Everybody will get what they want individually out of the experience if they pour into the team and focus on our team’s success.”

By Seth Lampton