Right direction for HutchCC women’s basketball

By Greta Klein
Staff writer

As fall turns into winter, sports seasons are changing too. For the Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball players, they have been ready to take the court and are already off to a great start.

Even though it’s just three games into their season, the Blue Dragons are excited about the team chemistry and talent these players bring to the court.

“I think chemistry comes from having great kids that want to be part of something special,” Blue Dragons coach John Ontjes said. “They want to work hard together and accomplish a lot of good things in the program.”

The lineup for the Blue Dragons may seem smaller than other teams, but that doesn’t take away from the potential this team has.

“I feel like (we have) talent,” sophomore Journey Armstead said. “I feel like we’re so quick. Even though we’re smaller than others, we got talent, speed and everybody can score on the floor.”

The Blue Dragons are well-rounded in terms of both skill and enthusiasm.

“This year’s team, I feel like everybody is young, fresh, really energetic, definitely positive,” sophomore Monae Duffy said. “Everybody pays attention and listens and (is) very in tune.”

Armstead and Duffy, both returning players for the Blue Dragons, said they feel they are leaders for the team and supporters for their teammates.

“You could say I got a lot of experience under my belt,” Duffy said. “So getting everybody in tune with the game. Encouraging the freshman just (by) being really active as a leader and as a player.”

This team and these women are willing to give their everything for each other.

“As a returning player, I feel like I’m a leader,” Armstead said. “I got to be a leader and also motivate and do what I have to do and bring anything to the team.”

Besides effort, this team has some real potential. They have won all three games this season by an average of 37.7 points a game.

“I think you should be on the lookout for every player that we got,” Ontjes said. “I think we got a very solid team. We have pretty good chemistry right now. I think our kids are headed in the right direction.”

Even though it’s early in the season, several goals are set in the minds of these players.

“Honestly I’m just trying to break records with my team,” Armstead said. “So (I’m) looking forward to getting a (championship) on our belt.”

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