By Greta Klein
Sports Editor
X: @gmklein32
Once, twice, three times. Some say it is coincidental, others would call it deja vu.
When the game is at stake, it seems like Hutchinson Community College’s No. 4, sophomore Hailey Jackson, is lining up for free throws.
“Nothing ever surprises me with Hailey,” Blue Dragons coach John Ontjes said. “The positiveness that she has when she gets in those situations, she has a lot of confidence.”
Jackson has stepped up to the line and made clutch free throws for the Blue Dragons in three different games. The first time occurred at the 2024 NJCAA national championship game in Casper, Wyo., against Northwest Florida State. The second time came in December against Garden City, and the third time was in January against Cowley.
While being in these situations might stress out some players, Jackson – an 84% free-throw shooter this season – is not bothered by the pressure.
“I would say I like the pressured free throws,” Jackson said. “(I don’t feel the pressure) so much anymore. I guess you can say I found a way to calm my head when I go to the line.”
The first time Jackson found herself in this crucial situation was when she got fouled and made three free throws to tie the game and force overtime in Wyoming, which would help the Blue Dragons to a national title victory, 88-80.
Since then, Jackson’s skill and basketball IQ have been the center of attention. But what everyone has been most amazed by is seeing her execute during these clutch moments.
“The national championship was a lot more pressure I’d feel,” Jackson said. “That led me up to the past games, just made me more comfortable.”
While that was a momentous situation, Jackson has found herself at the free-throw line in two more games after that.
In the game Dec. 11 against the Garden City Broncbusters, the Blue Dragons were down two points with the clock quickly losing time. Jackson had 1.5 seconds remaining when she was fouled while attempting a 3-point shot. Jackson sank all three of her free throws to help Hutchinson defeat Garden City 45-44.
“It’s like we’re using up all of our nine lives,” sophomore Kahlen Norris said.
But as much fortune Jackson and her team have used, it doesn’t look like it’s running out anytime soon.
Only two games later, she returned to the well-known scenario at the line against Cowley. During this situation, Jackson helped the Blue Dragons defeat the Cowley Tigers 62-60 on Jan. 4 by making two game-tying free throws with 48.4 seconds left and two game-winning free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining.
“She’s been really huge for our ball club and in that area,” Ontjes said. “Stepping up, making plays and finishing games. We’re just fortunate that she has. She has the attitude to step up there with a lot of confidence and make those free throws.”
Some may argue it can’t keep happening or this phenomenon has to end soon, but knowing the Blue Dragons and their work ethic, anything can happen.
