Graphic courtesy of Blue Dragon Sports Information
By John Mesh
The No. 6-ranked Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team posted its fourth-straight victory with a 90-49 victory over the Independence Pirates Saturday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
The Hutchinson CC Blue Dragon men’s basketball team lost to Independence 104-85.
The Blue Dragon women led 26-10 after one quarter, 45-17 at halftime and 70-31 after three quarters. HutchCC outscored Indy 20-18 in the fourth quarter.
Eight Dragons cracked the scorebook by intermission and nine scored in the game.
Brynne Katcher led HutchCC with 19 points, Kahlen Norris 18 and Hailey Jackson 15. Jada Pleaant added 8 points, Landon Forbes 7, Jaden Wilson 7, Katie Duncan 6, Zhane Singer 6 and Madi Denison 4. Carley Dameron played but did not score.
Hutchinson outrebounded Indy 52-30. Norris grabbed 9 rebounds, Denison 8, Wilson 7, Forbes 6, Jackson 5 and Singer 5. Forbes dished off 7 assists. Jackson and Forbes each had 3 assists.
Hutchinson made 10 3-pointer. It was Hutchinson’s fourth straight game with 10 3-pointers.
The Dragons played without Dylan Alexander (who is out for the season with an injury), Noelle Anthon and Honey Cooney.
Indy was led in scoring by Lauryn Gentle with 14 points. Mikka Chambers scored 11 points, Allison Reese 10, Asmun Tanhan 8 and Tionne Johnson 6.
Tanhan grabbed 8 rebounds, Reese 7 and Gentle 5. Reese had 4 assists and 5 steals.
The Blue Dragon women improved to 21-1 overall (15-1 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference). The Pirates fell to 2-19 overall (1-14 KJCCC).
The Blue Dragon women dominated the Pirates in a 66-34 victory at the ICC Fieldhouse on Nov. 30.
Ontjes’ overall record in 18 seasons is 504-97 (the second-most wins in KJCCC history). His record in KJCCC games is 291-58. During Ontjes’ 18 seasons at HutchCC, the Blue Dragons have a 279-31 record at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
Ontjes is one of 19 coaches in the country with 500+ wins. He reached his 500th win in his 596th game, the fastest-ever to accomplish the milestone.
Jackson now has scored 875 career points and has moved into 15th place on the HutchCC women’s all-time scoring list.
Jackson passed Jada Mickens (854 points in 2017-19), Kim Kroupa (855 points in 1989-91), Amanda Fessenden (864 points in 2006-08), Natasha McAtee (866 points in 1990-92) and Sherry Dishman (874 points in 1982-84).
Next on the list are Kirea Rogers (883 points in 2015-17), Tessa Morrow (891 points in 2005-2007), Amanda Flick (892 points in 1994-96), Penny Fisher (899 points in 1984-86) and Jackie Patterson (917 points in 2010-12).
Jackson is the 13th Blue Dragon women’s player to reach the 800-400 milestone in points and rebounds.
The Hutchinson Blue Dragon women play at Coffeyville at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. After taking next Saturday off because of a bye, the Blue Dragons play Feb. 12 at Garden City (5:30 p.m.) and will host Cloud County on Feb. 15 (2 p.m.).
Independence men’s team scores 104 points against Hutchinson Blue Dragons
The Independence Pirate men’s basketball team improved to 11-10 overall (7-8 KJCCC) with a 104-point showing. The Pirates have scored 207 points against the Blue Dragons this season.
The Blue Dragons gave up a previous season-high 103 points in a 103-97 loss to Independence on Nov. 30.
The Blue Dragon men dropped to 14-8 overall (10-6 KJCCC).
Independence’s Chianti Trimble scored a career-high 41 points against the Blue Dragons. It was his sixth 30+ effort of the season, but he had not passed the 32-point mark until Saturday.
Jamari Hamilton-Brown scored 16 points, Cedric Dixon 12, Chris Dockery 11 and Trashaun Combs-Pierce 10 (with 11 rebounds).
Bobby Cannon scored a career-high 30 points for the Blue Dragons on 14-of-20 shooting from the floor and 2-of-2 free throws. He also grabbed 8 rebounds.
Kahlil Arnold scored 16 points, Bo Aldridge 14, Mikhail Abdul-Hamid 10. DJ Dudley, Amari Davis and Isaiah Jackson each scored 4 points and Kobe Smith 2. Aldridge had 6 assists.
The Blue Dragons trailed 34-25 with a 7:01 left in the first half. HutchCC went on a 10-0 run to take a 35-34 lead at the 3:58 mark. Indy went on a 5-0 run to take a 41-37 lead at 2:36. The Pirates led at halftime 47-43.
Saturday’s game was the 82nd in series history between Hutchinson and Independence. The Blue Dragons lead the all-time series 57-25, including 24-6 in games in Hutchinson.
The Hutchinson Blue Dragon men play at Coffeyville at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
After taking next Saturday off because of a bye, the Blue Dragons play Feb. 12 at Garden City (7:30 p.m.) and will host Cloud County on Feb. 15 (4 p.m.).
Hutchinson Salthawk girls place 3rd at McPherson Mid-America Classic
The Hutchinson High School girls basketball team defeated the host McPherson Bullpups 54-31 in the third-place game of the 30th annual Mid-America Girls Classic at the McPherson Roundhouse.
The Salthawks improved to 7-4.
“Yesterday (Friday in a 49-19 loss) was a bit of a struggle but Olathe South is a great team and you have to tip your cap to them,” said Hutchinson High School girls basketball coach Kalen Hilst. “Day 1 against Dodge City (45-27 win), we struggled a bit offensively but guarded them very well to get the win.
“Today (Saturday) was the best we played of the three days against a very physical McPherson team. Overall, I’m very proud of them and hopefully we can continue the momentum going into the second half of our league schedule.”
Hutchinson led 13-5 at the end of the first quarter, 33-12 at halftime and 43-15 at the end of the third quarter. The Bullpups outscored the Sakthawks 16-11 in the fourth quarter.
Senior Kaia Smith led the Salthawks with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Grace Posch had 14 points and 5 boards.
Lynnea Alvarez added 5 points, Lily Rodriguez 4, Tenley Keeton 4 and Ava Krone 4. Rodriguez had 3 steals. Krone blocked 4 shots.
Karlie Cooper led the Bullpups with 7 points. Ellie Bower and Brynn Littlejohn each scored 5 points and Brooke Doile 4.
The Salthawk girls will play Maize South at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Salthawk Activity Center, followed by the boys game at 7:30 p.m.
Olathe South won the tournament championship with a 42-38 win over Manhattan.
Eve Long led the first-place Falcons from Olathe South with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Kat Ball led Manhattan with 9 points.
In the fifth-place game at the Mid-American Classic, the Wichita Southeast Golden Buffaloes defeated the Shawnee Mission East Lancers 44-38.
Kamaria Marcy led the Buffaloes with 13 points. Alana Wenbb scored 10 and Kiasia Allen 9.
Paige Stanfield led the Lancers with 11 points, grabbed 22 rebounds, had 2 assists and 3 steals. Fina Kessler had 11 points and 7 rebounds. Coco Reiser had 10 points and 8 rebounds.
The Lancers outrebouded Wichita Southeast 47-24.
In the seventh-place girls game at the Mid-America Classic, Andover Central defeated Dodge City 54-26.
Reece Wilborn led the victorious Jaguars with 14 points. Taylin Tabor scored 9 points and added 4 assists. Peyton Converse scored 8 points and Lainey Tyner 7.
Addisyn Taylor scored 11 of the Red Demons’ 11 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Tatum Steiner scored 6 points. Emma Bell had 4 points and 5 rebounds.
The All-Tournament Team consisted of Grace Posch, Hutchinson; Eve Long, Olathe South; Brooke Doile, McPherson; Kat Ball, Manhattan; and Taylin Tabor, Andover Central.
The Hutchinson Salthawks wrestle honored with the John Watkins Team Sportsmanship Award.
Olathe South’s Olivia Robben placed first in the Free Throw Contest, followed by Manhattan’s Kat Ball in second and Shawnee Mission East’s Laine Birch in third.
Olathe South’s Brooke Bryan placed first in the 3-Point Contest. Hutchinson’s Kaia Smith was second and Shawnee Mission East’s Fina Kessler was third.
Halstead girls capture Haven Wildcat Classic championship
The No. 2-ranked Halstead Dragon girls defeated the No. 8 Haven girls 47-31 in the championship game of the Haven Wildcat Classic Saturday afternoon at the Haven gymnasium.
The Halstead girls improved to 12-0 and Haven is 9-3.
Halstead led 21-5 at the end of the first quarter, 31-10 at halftime and 38-24 at the end of the third quarter. Halstead outscored Haven 9-7 in the fourth quarter.
Piper Schroeder led Halstead with 14 points. Sienna DeFrain led the Haven girls with 15 points. Avery Brawner had 7 points and 8 rebounds.
Halstead’s Bailey Bernal and Schroeder and Haven’s Brawner and Sienna DeFrain led the All-Tournament Team.
Haven hosts Pratt Tuesday and Halstead plays at Hesston.
Valley Center defeated Andale 55-39 in the third-place girls game. Valley Center led 31-17 at halftime and 47-25 at the end of the third quarter.
The Cheney girls defeated Towanda-Circle 57-46 in the fifth-place girls game and finished the tournament with a 2-1 record.
Garden Plain defeated Maize 35-27 in the seventh-place girls game.
Hutchinson Blue Dragon softball team sweeps doubleheader at Western Oklahoma State College
The Hutchinson Blue Dragons opened the 2025 season with a doubleheader sweep over Western Oklahoma State College Saturday on the road in Altus, Okla.
The Blue Dragons, who posted a 47-12 record in 2024 (a school record 47 wins) won the opener 6-3 and the second game 4-1.
Hutchinson, coached by Jaime Rose in her 21st season at HutchCC (23rd overall), won the Region 6 tournament title last year and competed in the NJCAA Division I World Series for the first time.
Rose now has a record of 620-360 at HutchCC and 658-418 overall.
The Blue Dragons opened the 2025 season ranked No. 22 in the NJCAA Division I preseason rankings and were picked to finish second in the Jayhawk Conference preseason coaches’ poll.
Hutchinson Salthawk wrestlers place four boys, two girls at Rocky Wetton Invitational in Garden City
The Hutchinson High School Salthawk boys wrestling teams competed in the 67th Annual Rocky Welton tournament which featured 34 other teams from across Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
The tournament took place in Garden City Friday and Saturday.
Hutchinson senior Kade Smith placed third in the 165-pound weight class with a 5-1 record. Junior Jackson Anderson placed ninth with a 4-2 record.
Sophomore Cooper Harris placed 11th with a 2-3 record. Senior Kevin Wilson placed 14th with a 2-3 record.
Not placing with 0-2 records were freshman Dion Brown, 106 pounds; sophomore Zach Allen, 120 pounds; junior Jair Maciel, 126 pounds; junior Ayden Robidoux, 144 pounds; and senior Skylar Ray, 215 pounds.
Two Hutchinson girls placed in the fourth annual Rocky Wllton Invitational girls tournament.
Sophia Zwickl finished second at 125 pounds with a 2-1 record and Ruby Foster placed sixth at 120 pounds with a 2-1 record.
Not placing for the Salthawk girls were Aaida Brown, 0-1 at 100 pounds; Baleigh Cousins, 0-3 at 140 pounds; and Jillian Ferguson, 1-2 at 170 pounds.
Hutchinson Central Christian girls roll past Solomon, Cougar boys fall
The Hutchinson Central Christian Cougar basketball team finished January strong with a 55-22 win over Solomon on homecoming Friday night at the Central Christian gymnasium.
The Central Christian Cougar boys fell to Solomon 49-29 Friday night.
The Central Christian teams are back in action Tuesday night as they host Heart of the Plains League opponent Norwich. The Cougars host Pretty Prairie next Friday.
The CCHS girls and boys swept Fairfield last Tuesday.
The girls won 56-35 as coach D.J. Kauffman earned his 100th career victory.
The Cougar boys defeated the Fairfield Falcons 53-37.
Correction: Hutchinson Trinity plays at Wichita CCA Tuesday
The Hutchinson Trinity Catholic boys and girls basketball team play at Wichita Central Christian Academy Tuesday and host Sedgwick Friday.
Wichita Central Christian Academy’s boys and girls were swept by Remington Friday at Wichita.
The Remington Bronco varsity boys defeated the Lions 51-40, the varsity girls won 42-31, the junior varsity boys won 53-40 and the JV girls won 35-21.
Buhler varsity bowlers defeat Andale, Collegiate
The Buhler High School varsity boys and girls bowlers defeated Andale and Wichita Collegiate Thursday at Bowlero in Wichita.
Buhler will host Circle and Mullvane in an Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League III match atThe Alley in Hutchinson.
Varsity Boys
Buhler: 2350
Andale: 2342
Collegiate: 2158
High Game: Julian Morrison – 237
High Series: Rylan Klug – 646
Varsity Girls
Buhler: 1997
Andale: 1971
Collegiate: 1456
High Game: Eva Goertz – 219
High Series: Brayla Johnson – 524
JV Boys
Andale: 1984
Buhler: 1857
Collegiate: 1788
High Game: Gaven Bowers – 198
High Series: Gaven Bowers – 514
JV Girls
Buhler: 1482
Andale: 1294
Collegiate: 1175
High Game: Madalyn Bohringer – 189
High Series: Madalyn Bohringer – 408
Series Scores:
Varsity Boys
Rylan Klug: 220, 225, 201 = 646
Julian Morrison: 198, 164, 237 = 599
Trevor Trustian: 220, 180, 168 = 568
Logan Brown: 190, 169, 177 = 536
Carson White: 167, 155, 164 = 486
Dominic Gaede: 147, 130, 169 = 446
Varsity Girls
Brayla Johnson: 192, 161, 171 = 524
Macy Miller: 181, 153, 169 = 503
Eva Goertz: 139, 113, 219 = 471
Aubrey Ewing: 138, 148, 168 = 454
Cheyann Geesling: 147, 149, 143 = 439
Brynn Treaster: 86, 88, 93 = 267
JV Boys
Gavin Bowers: 158, 158, 198 = 514
Blake Mourn: 163, 157, 151 = 471
Collin Schwartzkopf: 132, 182, 132 = 446
Kadin Glass: 138, 98, 155 = 391
Keenen Johnson: 148, 117, 122 = 387
JV Girls
Madalyn Bohringer: 113, 189, 106 = 408
Lelani Strodtman: 107, 139, 142 = 388
Keelee Bryant: 133, 129, 86 = 348
Cora Nuttmann: 102, 87, 149 = 338