By DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — No. 4 Hutchinson's game against Cowley Wednesday night had special meaning for more than one reason.
For starters, it marked the first game Blue Dragon coach Tommy DeSalme faced the team he took to a national championship game earlier this year. Five Dragons played on that Tiger squad.
Cowley's new coach, Donnie Jackson, was also Nate Goodlow's coach last season at NOC-Tonkawa.
Wednesday also marked the return of former Blue Dragon Clarence King.
The Dragons (11-0, 5-0) jumped out to a 7-2 lead early before the Tigers (6-5, 2-3) took over four minutes later and went into halftime with a 46-37 advantage.
Cowley led until the 16:39 mark in the second half when Hutchinson tied the score at 47.
Cecil Lee drew contact on a made bucket and finished the three-point play to put Hutchinson up 50-47. Even though the game got close from there, the Dragons never relinquished that lead.
The Dragons went up by as many as 11 with 9:29 left after trailing by as many as 13 in the first half.
Cowley pulled the game back within one on a King layup with 19.8 seconds remaining. Goodlow went to the other end and hit two bonus free throws.
With 5.8 seconds left, King was fouled and hit both freebies to pull within 76-75.
Hutchinson took its final timeout and prepared to face the press.
The Dragons used the ability to run the baseline to inbound the ball. Once the ball came into play, the Dragons moved the ball so quickly that time ran out before the Tigers could commit a foul.
FINAL: Hutchinson 76 Cowley 75
Angelo Stuart led Hutchinson with 21 points. He added seven rebounds and three assists.
Kaimen Lennox shot just 4 of 13, but hit crucial buckets down the stretch to finish with 12.
Kobe Campbell came off the bench and added 10 points.
Goodlow only shot 1 of 8 (0-5 from three), but pulled down six rebounds and added four steals.
Xavier Valley led Cowley with 22 points and nine rebounds.
King finished with 16 points.
Hutchinson entered the contest averaging 87 shot attempts per contest, with a season-high 113 earlier this year. The Dragons only put up 68 shots Wednesday. Cowley shot 71 times.
Cowley was 42.3% from the floor, Hutchinson 39.7%.
The Dragons got 29 points from the bench.
The Dragons were victorious with the lowest scoring total so far this season.