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By Steve Carpenter
HCC Sports Information Director
Monday, October 13, 2008
WICHITA – The Hutchinson
Community College women’s basketball team was picked to finish fourth this
season in the Jayhawk West by a vote of the league’s coaches.
The Lady Dragons found out
their preseason prognostication at the annual Jayhawk Conference basketball
media day on Monday in Wichita.
Hutchinson (24-8) was picked
behind preseason favorite Cloud County, Seward County and defending Region
VI champion Barton in this year’s coaches poll.
“We have seven new freshmen
to add with four returning sophomores,” second-year HCC women’s head coach
John Ontjes said. “We have 11 players who feel can contribute at some point
in the season. As long as we continue to improve each week, I like what we
have.”
Ontjes has three of his top
shooters from last season returning as sophomores. Kylee Naccarato (5-7)
averaged 6.7 points and shot 47.3 percent from 3-point range last season.
Brittany Hines (5-6) averaged 6.1 points and shot 27.4 percent from behind
the arc) and Lauren Sparks (5-foot-6) averaged 5.6 points and shot 39.3
percent from long range.
“We have more depth with our
shooters,” Ontjes said. “What will make or break our team is our ability to
consistently shoot the ball.”
Briyana Evans (5-7) is a
guard, but is more apt to drive and score as to shoot jump shots.
The Lady Dragons are much
taller this year in the post, but no inside player has yet to play a
collegiate minute.
Freshmen Naudia Campbell
(6-2) and 6-footers Ariella McGhee, Brittney Bell and Calli Matthews will
all be counted on in the post this season.
The Lady Dragons open their
season a little later this year, tipping off on Nov. 7 and 8 against the
McPherson College JV and Marshalltown, Iowa at the Sports Arena.
2008-09 Jayhawk West
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Cloud County
2. Seward County
3. Barton
4. Hutchinson
5. Butler
6. Garden City
7. Pratt
8. Colby
9. Dodge City
2008-09 Jayhawk East
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Cowley
2. Coffeyville
3. Independence
4. Labette
5. Fort Scott
6. Kansas City
7. Johnson County
8. Allen County
9. Highland
10. Neosho County |
