| 03-04 Players of
the Week
Romero named “KCAC Co-Player of the Week” Feb 16-21, 2004
 McPherson College senior forward Kenny Romero was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) men’s basketball “Co-Player of the Week” for the week of February 16-21, 2004, during which he averaged 17.5 points and 11 rebounds per game as the Bulldogs defeated intra-county rival Bethany College (85-68) and Southwestern College (63-59).
In both contests, Romero posted double-doubles, his tenth and eleventh of the season, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against Bethany, then coming back with 16 points and 10 rebounds against Southwestern. He dished off three assists in both games.
“I really am pleased for Kenny,” said McPherson head coach Roger Trimmell. “He was very deserving of the honor. He has been a leader for us throughout his career and it’s great to see him recognized this way.”
Romero entered the week leading the KCAC and ranked 15th among NAIA players in individual scoring, averaging 20.5 points. For the 2003-04 season, Romero is averaging 8.46 rebounds per game, second in the KCAC. He currently ranks third in total field goal percentage (56.0%) among KCAC players and sixth in free throw percentage (77.8%)
An honorable mention NAIA All-American in 2003, Romero became the Bulldogs’ all-time, career scoring and rebounding leader earlier this season. Following his junior season, he was named to the All-KCAC first team for a second time, in spite of the series of injuries he suffered.
As a freshman, Romero was the named the KCAC “Freshman of the Year” in addition to being named to the All-KCAC first team.
A graduate of East High School in Pueblo, Colorado, Romero is majoring in sociology at McPherson College with a career goal of working with at-risk youth.
Romero named “KCAC Player of the Week” Jan 19-24, 2004
McPherson College senior forward Kenny Romero was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) men’s basketball “Player of the Week” for the week of January 19-24, 2004, during which he averaged 18.0 points, 10 rebounds, shot 63.6% from the field including a perfect three for three from beyond the three-point line, as well as 81.8% from the charity stripe.
In the Monday’s 68-65 win over cross-town rival Central Christian College, Romero hit back-back treys to blunt a CCC rally early in the second period, then closed the door on Central by scoring the Bulldogs’ final eight points. After being held to four first period points, he finished the evening with 17 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists, one block and a steal.
In the second half of Thursday’s conference game with Southwestern College, Romero ignited a McPherson rally with a personal, eight point run after the Moundbuilders had cut the Bulldog lead to one point with 5 ½ minutes left in the game.
Romero’s third point of that run, a free throw which capped a traditional three-point play, tied the all-time McPherson College career scoring record of Jonathan Coachman (1,782 points in 1992-1995). On the Bulldogs’ next possession, he broke Coachman’s career mark, with baseline jump shot from the far corner. He finished off his personal flurry with another old-fashioned, three-point play, giving McPherson a 10-point lead which they protected down the stretch with nine of ten free throwing in final three minutes.
After scoring eight first half points, Romero ended the game leading McPherson with 23 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. He also was credited with one block and a pair of steals.
On Saturday, foul trouble sent Romero to the bench for more than ten minutes of the first half while Bethel College built a lead as large as 14 points. With Romero scoring 10 of the Bulldogs’ first 12 points of the second half, McPherson took a short lived one-point lead before the Threshers hit six of eight free throws in the final 40 seconds to hold on for the 69-66 win. Romero finished the night with 14 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes of action.
“I really am pleased for Kenny,” said McPherson head coach Roger Trimmell. “He was very deserving of the honor. I believe getting the career mark was significant. And, I’m pleased the significance of Kenny’s achievements were recognized in the vote of the conference’s SIDs (sports information directors).”
Romero entered the week leading the KCAC and ranked 5th among NAIA players in individual scoring. For the 2003-04 season, Romero is averaging 21.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. In November, Romero set a new McPherson career rebounding record, again moving past Coachman on the all-time McPherson list. Romero has since raised the rebounding mark by more than 100 rebounds.
“I believe Kenny is almost back to his old self,” McPherson College head men’s coach Roger Trimmell added after seeing Kenny play through an injury plagued junior year. Following the 2003 season, Romero received NAIA honorable mention All-American honors after being named for a second time to the All-KCAC first team, in spite of the series of injuries he suffered.
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