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Hutchinson Community College

WEATHERS POWERS BLUE DRAGONS TO WIN AT GARDEN CITY

Dre Weathers scored a career-high 27 points and led a huge second half for the No. 16 Blue Dragons in a 96-78 victory over Garden City in the final game of the regular season on Wednesday in Garden City (Josh Gooch/Blue Dragon Sports Information)
Dre Weathers scored a career-high 27 points and led a huge second half for the No. 16 Blue Dragons in a 96-78 victory over Garden City in the final game of the regular season on Wednesday in Garden City (Josh Gooch/Blue Dragon Sports Information)
March 6, 2024

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

GARDEN CITY – Sophomore Dre Weathers scored 25 of his career-high 27 points in the second half as the No. 16-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team reached the 25-win plateau in the final game of the regular season on Wednesday at Garden City.

The Blue Dragons shot 62.2 percent to rally from a small halftime deficit to close the regular season with a 96-78 victory over the Broncbusters at Conestoga Arena in Garden City.

Hutchinson completes the regular season at 25-5 overall and finishes third in the Jayhawk Conference – The Dragons were picked to finish sixth in the league – with a 20-4 KJCCC record. The Blue Dragons will be the No. 3 seed for the Region VI Tournament and receive an opening-round bye. The first round is Saturday around the state. The Blue Dragons will play the 6/11-seed winner at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday March 12 at the Sports Arena. Garden City fell to 18-12 overall and 14-10 in the KJCCC.

The Blue Dragons trailed Garden City 39-37 at halftime and were down 54-46 with 16:16 to play in the second half.

Led by Weathers' huge second half, the Blue Dragons outscored Garden City 50-24 over the final 16 minutes of the game. The Dragons made 23 of 37 total shots in the second half.

Weathers' 27 points came on 13 of 17 shooting. She also tied a career high with nine rebounds and dished out four assists.

Playing a second-straight game without leading scorer Kamryn Thomas, several other Blue Dragons produced against the Broncbusters.

J.P. Ricks finished with 18 points, hitting 7 of 9 from the foul line and tying a career high with nine assists.

Valentino Simon had 15 points and seven rebounds. Landon Wagler hit a career-high three 3-pointers and tied a career-high 14 points. Kobe Smith finished with nine points.

The Blue Dragons shot 52.2 percent (36 of 69), hitting 9 of 18 from 3-point range and 15 of 19 from the free-throw line. Hutchinson had 23 assists and only 18 turnovers. The Dragons out-rebounded Garden City 32-28.

Brody Robinson led Garden City with 25 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Braxton Jones finished with 19 points and Thomas Tut had 10 points.

The Busters shot 50 percent (30 of 60) going 9 of 29 from 3-point range and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Garden City shot 58.6 percent in the first half and was held to 41.9 percent in second half.

Hutchinson outscored Garden City 59-39 in the final 20 minutes.

GAME NOTES – This was Hutchinson's 32nd 25-win season in program history, the second for head coach Tommy DeSalme. … The Blue Dragons are now 143-51 all-time against Garden City, including 55-37 in games at Garden City. … This was all-time win o. 1,919. … This was Hutchinson's 11th game of 20 or more assists. … The Blue Dragons shot 50 percent or better for the 11th time this season. … Valentino Simon surpassed the career 900-point mark. He now has 912 points. … The Dragons are now 3-6 when trailing at halftime.