NO. 1 BLUE DRAGONS FINISH NON-CON UNBEATEN

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

GREAT BEND – Sophomores Hailey Jackson and Brynne Katcher both posted double-doubles as the No. 1-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team closed the Barton Classic and the non-conference portion of the 2024-25 schedule without a loss.

The Blue Dragons extended their winning streak to 43 games after defeating Redlands 81-59 on Saturday at the Barton Gym.

Hutchinson went 2-0 in the Barton Classic and completed the non-conference season 6-0. The Blue Dragons will return to the Barton Gym on Wednesday to take on the Barton Cougars at 5:30 p.m. in the Jayhawk Conference opener.

Jackson posted her third double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jackson also tied her career high with four assists.

Katcher had her second double-double of the season in her first Blue Dragon start with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Katcher was 5 of 8 shooting and she had two assists.

Five Blue Dragon players reached double figures against Redlands. Dylan Alexander finished with 12 points off the bench with four assists. Sophomore Jada Pleasant went 6 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points. Freshman Jaden Wilson had season highs of 10 points on 4 of 8 shooting and eight rebounds.

The Blue Dragons shot 40.0 percent for the game (24 of 60), going only 2 of 18 from the 3-point line – the Dragons were 0 of 10 in the first half from distance – and 31 of 39 from the free-throw line. The Dragons out-rebounded Redlands 39-32. Hutchinson had 11 turnovers.

After going 0 of 11 in the first quarter, Redlands improved to 40.4 percent for the game (21 of 52). The Cougars were 3 of 21 from distance and 14 of 24 from the free-throw line. Redlands turned the ball over 21 points.

Ellie Willard had 15 points and Haven Joseph had 11 points to lead Redlands.

The Blue Dragons opened a 12-4 lead after a Wilson layup with 3:08 to play in the first quarter. The Dragons closed the first quarter on a 9-1 run, getting a Wilson jumper and Katie Duncan 3-pointer to give the Blue Dragons a 17-5 lead after one period.

Leading 21-11 in the second quarter, the Dragons used a 9-0 run to build a 30-11 lead after another Wilson layup with 1:13 to go in the quarter. The Dragons led 32-15 at halftime.

Redlands opened the second half on an 8-0 run to cut the Hutchinson lead to 32-23 with 8:37 remaining. The Dragons responded with a 17-6 run, including 10 unanswered points to extend the lead to 20 at 49-29 after a Katcher layup with 3:23 to play in the third quarter. Duncan's free throw with 11 seconds left gave the Dragons a 52-34 lead.

A three-point play by Jackson with 5:45 to go in the fourth quarter opened the Dragon lead to 27 at 67-40. That margin dwindled to 17 points with 1:13 to play, but the Blue Dragons hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final 34 seconds to close out the win.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are 4-1 all-time vs. Redlands, including 3-0 in Great Bend. … The Dragons have won four in a row over Redlands. … The Dragons are off to a 6-0 start for the 14th time in the John Ontjes era. … Hailey Jackson now has five career double-doubles. Brynne Katcher now has 15 career double-doubles. … This was the fifth time this season the Blue Dragons have forced 20 or more turnovers.