SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
Kamryn Thomas and Valentino Simon, each members of the 2023-24 HutchCC Blue Dragon men's basketball team are headed to the NCAA Tournament after the University of Omaha Mavericks won the Summit League tournament title on Sunday.
The Mavericks defeated St. Thomas, 85-75, to claim their first-ever Summit League tournament title and earn their berth to March Madness for the first time in program history. Omaha is 22-12 on the season, the 22 wins are also the most in program history.
Thomas was scoreless in the championship game on Sunday, but played 15 minutes and secured a rebound, two assists and one steal.
He has played and started 22 games for the Mavericks, averaging 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in nearly 24 minutes per contest.
Thomas played one season at HutchCC, appearing in 33 games, making 31 starts, averaging a team-high 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes per contest.
Simon has yet to see any playing time this season for the Mavericks.
He averaged 13.4 points and a team-high 8.3 rebounds for the Blue Dragons last winter in 36 games played and started.