The Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team plays outside the Sports Arena for the first time this early season with a pair of neutral-court contests this weekend at the Barton Classic.
The Blue Dragons (3-0) meets the NOC-Enid Jets (1-2) at 3 p.m. Friday at the Barton Gym. Hutchinson meets NOC-Tonkawa (3-1) at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Both games will be streamed on the Blue Dragon Sports Network at 2:45 each day.
Sean Boston will have the call on KHUT-FM (102.9) on Friday and KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Hutchinson is off to a strong start with three victories to start the season. The Dragons shot a season-high 49.4 percent from the field on a 100-64 victory over the Allen Red Devils on Tuesday at the Sports Arena.
Through three games, the Blue Dragons are allowing 76.7 points per game and have forced 30 or more turnovers in three-straight games.
The Blue Dragons are closing in on milestone victory No. 1,900. Hutchinson, the all-time NJCAA men’s basketball leader in victories, is at 1,897 wins.
Hutchinson head coach Tommy DeSalme is one victory shy of his 50th with the Blue Dragons, which would tie Tim Jankovich for 12th place on the career Blue Dragon coaching list.
NOC-Enid, Friday’s Barton Classic opponent, is 1-2 to start the season. The Jets are averaging 74.3 points, while allowing 77.7 points per game. Sophomore guard Cahlese Lee is Enid’s leading scorer 17.7 points per game.
NOC-Tonkawa (3-1 overall) is 2-0 against Jayhawk Conference opponents this season, defeating Seward County (77-56) and Cowley (89-83). The Mavericks are averaging 82.8 points offensively and 73.8 points defensively. Sophomore guard Jaevonte Campbell is averaging 32.5 points per game.