By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Four Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball players took another step in their careers Wednesday, signing National Letters of Intent inside the Club 1928 Room at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
Katie Duncan signed with New Mexico, Noelle Anthon signed with Marquette, KaMyra Barber signed with North Texas and Jaden Wilson signed with Rockhurst.
The signings came after another strong season for the Blue Dragons, who finished 29-7 overall and 20-4 in the Jayhawk Conference. Hutchinson reached the NJCAA Division I national quarterfinals before falling to Clarendon.
For the sophomores, Wednesday also served as a closing chapter on a strong two-year stretch in the Salt City. Duncan, Anthon and Wilson helped Hutchinson go 58-12 overall and 41-4 in Jayhawk Conference play while making two trips to the NJCAA national tournament.
Duncan, a 5-foot-8 guard from Perth, Western Australia, signed with New Mexico after leading Hutchinson with 467 points as a sophomore. She averaged 13 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals while making 76 3-pointers.
It was a major jump from her freshman season, when she averaged seven points per game off the bench.
“When I first came, I was kind of unsure,” Duncan said. “I had only been in America before, and it was definitely a culture shock and a big adjustment, play style wise. Looking back on it after the last two years, I wouldn’t have changed any of it.”
Duncan said Hutchinson helped her grow both on and off the floor.
“I’m walking away with my heart full for sure,” Duncan said.
Duncan said she had several options after her sophomore season, but New Mexico quickly felt like the right place.
“I was definitely blessed to have options,” Duncan said. “When I went on my visit to New Mexico, there was just something that felt right. It felt like a calling.”
Anthon, a 6-2 forward from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, signed with Marquette after a strong sophomore season.
After playing in just 15 games as a freshman because of a knee injury, Anthon became one of Hutchinson’s most efficient players this season. She averaged 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 55.5% from the field. She finished with 375 points, 230 rebounds and 20 blocked shots.
“It was great,” Anthon said. “It just goes to show the great support system and coaches that we have here, that they can take a player like me who was underdeveloped and started late and injured, and then make that much progress in even a semester.”
Anthon said her rehab started immediately after last year’s national tournament.
“I didn’t really get a break,” Anthon said. “I was in the training room for two, three hours every day, lifting. This summer, I really worked on my conditioning and getting back. This year, I didn’t have any problems with my knee, and I think it was all because of the offseason.”
Returning home to Wisconsin was a major factor in Anthon’s decision to sign with Marquette.
“It was the main factor in my decision,” Anthon said. “I did not think that I wanted to go back close to home at all. Then they reached out to me, and I took the visit, and I knew almost immediately that I needed to be back closer to my family.”
Barber, a 5-8 freshman guard from Wichita, signed with North Texas after one season at Hutchinson.
Barber was named the Jayhawk Conference Freshman of the Year and was a first-team all-conference selection. She averaged 13.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals while scoring a team-high 475 points. Barber also had 246 rebounds, 116 assists and 61 steals.
Barber said her time at Hutchinson was short, but meaningful.
“I came here with the mentality of being here two years, and I appreciate these coaches so much,” Barber said. “They helped me develop and get this far. I appreciate all my teammates. All these relationships, I’ll cherish forever.”
Barber said she expected to be good, but her growth during the season still surprised her.
“My mindset shifted when we came into the second part of the season, and I was really just focused on winning,” Barber said. “I expected to be good, but I didn’t know I was going to get this much better.”
Barber said the North Texas coaching staff and location made the Mean Green a strong fit. North Texas also gives Barber a chance to play close enough for family and friends to watch her at the Division I level. She'll also get a chance to play in Koch Arena, when the Mean Green play Wichita State in American Conference play.
“It’ll be amazing,” Barber said. “I’ll be so happy to be home and play in front of friends and family. I can’t wait to experience it.”
Wilson, a 5-10 forward from Derby, signed with Rockhurst after becoming a steady part of Hutchinson’s rotation.
Wilson played in all 36 games and made 14 starts as a sophomore. She averaged 3.8 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 49.1% from the field. She also had 173 rebounds, 31 assists, 22 steals and 11 blocked shots.
Wilson said her development at Hutchinson prepared her for the next level.
“I’ve developed a lot here, and I’m really glad that I got to come and just learn new things and learn the pace of college basketball compared to high school,” Wilson said. “I feel like I’ve learned so much, and I’m finally getting there, just ready for the next level.”
Wilson said her basketball IQ improved during her two seasons with the Blue Dragons.
“From day one to halfway through freshman year, I already felt the changes,” Wilson said. “Just knowing little things, like when I rebound the ball, making sure it’s above my head and turning a certain way based on where the ball came from. Little things like that, you wouldn’t really think much of it, but they mean a lot.”
Wilson chose Rockhurst over Newman, with academics playing a major role in her decision.
“They have my career path, which is speech pathology,” Wilson said. “A lot of schools don’t have that, even D-Is don’t have that. That was a big reason.”
Wilson also said staying close to home mattered.
“I didn’t want to go any further than that,” Wilson said. “Even that is a little scary to me, but I know that it’s going to be a great opportunity. They support me no matter what I do, and that’s not too far of a drive for them.”
For Hutchinson, Wednesday was another reminder of the program’s ability to develop players and move them on to the next level.
For Duncan, Anthon and Wilson, it was the end of a two-year run filled with wins and national tournament memories.
For Barber, it was a one-year stop that turned into a Division I opportunity.