Alvina Katharine Peters, 80, of St. Paul, died Feb. 18, 2021, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village. She was born Sept. 7, 1940, in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to Oliver and Elizabeth (Little Soldier) Frog.

Alvina graduated high school in 1958, and later attended Hutchinson Community College to earn her associate’s degree. She was a homemaker and &nbsp;typist for Hutchinson SRS. Over the years, Alvina loved to go bowling. She was very proud of her Native American heritage and loved taking her grandchildren to pow-wows in South Dakota. Alvina was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Hutchinson.

On March 23, 1963, she married Ernest Peters, at Fort Riley. They shared 56 years together, before he passed away on May 27, 2019.

Alvina is survived by daughter, Gayla Peters Rizzo, Wichita; son, Ernest Peters (Caroline), Erie; grandsons, Jon Rizzo (Alisn), Leavenworth, Andrew Rizzo, Wichita, Trey Peters, Erie, Jacob Peters, Erie; and great-granddaughter, Cecily Rizzo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Ernest Peters.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, at Elliott Mortuary, with The Reverend Dr. Ted Blakley officiating. Burial will follow in North Inman Cemetery. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.

<a href="https://youtu.be/EDZo-_T_8UY">Click here to watch the funeral service for Alvina Peters</a>

Memorials are suggested to the Reno County Veterans’ Memorial, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614036836528.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Alvina Katharine Peters, 80, of St. Paul, died Feb. 18, 2021, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village. She was born Sept. 7, 1940, in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to Oliver and Elizabeth (Little Soldier) Frog.Alvina graduated high school in 1958, and later attended Hutchinson Community College to earn her associate’s degree. She was a homemaker and &nbsp;typist for Hutchinson SRS. Over the years, Alvina loved to go bowling. She was very proud of her Native American heritage and loved taking her grandchildren to pow-wows in South Dakota. Alvina was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Hutchinson.On March 23, 1963, she married Ernest Peters, at Fort Riley. They shared 56 years together, before he passed away on May 27, 2019.Alvina is survived by daughter, Gayla Peters Rizzo, Wichita; son, Ernest Peters (Caroline), Erie; grandsons, Jon Rizzo (Alisn), Leavenworth, Andrew Rizzo, Wichita, Trey Peters, Erie, Jacob Peters, Erie; and great-granddaughter, Cecily Rizzo.She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Ernest Peters.Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, at Elliott Mortuary, with The Reverend Dr. Ted Blakley officiating. Burial will follow in North Inman Cemetery. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.<a href="https://youtu.be/EDZo-_T_8UY">Click here to watch the funeral service for Alvina Peters</a>Memorials are suggested to the Reno County Veterans’ Memorial, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Alvina Peters | 1940 - 2021 |

Judy Lee Branson, 74, of Hutchinson, died Feb. 17, 2021. Judy was born June 19, 1946, in Wellington, Kansas. She was the daughter of Ila Lee Davis and Alva Wayne (Dan) Langford. Judy married Bruce Alan Branson on Jan. 29, 1972.&nbsp; He survives.

She is survived by four children: Michele Ford of Wichita, Lisa Tolbert, Hutchinson, Brandi Warns-Branson, Wichita, and Jamey (Alicia) Branson of Mount Hope. Judy is Grandma by 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one great, great-grandson. All survive.&nbsp; Also surviving is brother, Michael Wayne Langford and sister, Randy Lynn Langford, both of Wellington. One cannot fail to mention, her ever faithful dog, Ollie.&nbsp;

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, Dana Kay Langford, sister Jana Jo Langford, daughter-in-law Elissa Warns-Branson, and multiple aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Judy lived a full life between Wellington and Hutchinson, Kansas, moving to the latter in 1979 and remained there until her death. She worked in the restaurant industry in Wellington and Hutch, meeting many people throughout the years. She got her start at A&amp;W as a teenager, and graced many Wellington landmark diners throughout the years, including Sid’s, Pine Lodge, Country Acres, Grannie’s Kitchen, and The Homestead. Once in Hutch, she got her start at Skaets and Ken’s Pizza. Later, she worked in the restaurant in the Quality Inn for many years. She always told stories of meeting State Fair acts and junior college basketball and softball teams that stayed at the motel while she worked in the restaurant, Mickey D’s. Autographs from the Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, and others seemed to be a lifetime highlight!&nbsp;

Judy loved camping with friends and family. She and Bruce made an annual trip to the mountains for many years. She was a sucker for a sappy romance novel, a cross word puzzle expert, and a life-long BINGO lover. She got involved, along with her husband, with The American Legion post in Hutchinson. She and Bruce were pivotal members involved in heart-warming send-offs for soldiers leaving their families, welcome home celebrations, and many a funeral for our fallen heroes. She was also part of a human shield protecting families of deceased military members from the ugliness of picketers.

Judy loved people. She was always proud to have the opportunity to work with, meet, and befriend such an eclectic collection of people. She will be remembered by all she touched as a fun-loving little firecracker.

A Celebration of Life service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68, 730 W. 4th Avenue, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, and Thursday, Feb. 25, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Legion Riders Family Assistance Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614036706418.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Judy Lee Branson, 74, of Hutchinson, died Feb. 17, 2021. Judy was born June 19, 1946, in Wellington, Kansas. She was the daughter of Ila Lee Davis and Alva Wayne (Dan) Langford. Judy married Bruce Alan Branson on Jan. 29, 1972.&nbsp; He survives.She is survived by four children: Michele Ford of Wichita, Lisa Tolbert, Hutchinson, Brandi Warns-Branson, Wichita, and Jamey (Alicia) Branson of Mount Hope. Judy is Grandma by 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one great, great-grandson. All survive.&nbsp; Also surviving is brother, Michael Wayne Langford and sister, Randy Lynn Langford, both of Wellington. One cannot fail to mention, her ever faithful dog, Ollie.&nbsp;Judy was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, Dana Kay Langford, sister Jana Jo Langford, daughter-in-law Elissa Warns-Branson, and multiple aunts, uncles, and cousins.Judy lived a full life between Wellington and Hutchinson, Kansas, moving to the latter in 1979 and remained there until her death. She worked in the restaurant industry in Wellington and Hutch, meeting many people throughout the years. She got her start at A&amp;W as a teenager, and graced many Wellington landmark diners throughout the years, including Sid’s, Pine Lodge, Country Acres, Grannie’s Kitchen, and The Homestead. Once in Hutch, she got her start at Skaets and Ken’s Pizza. Later, she worked in the restaurant in the Quality Inn for many years. She always told stories of meeting State Fair acts and junior college basketball and softball teams that stayed at the motel while she worked in the restaurant, Mickey D’s. Autographs from the Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, and others seemed to be a lifetime highlight!&nbsp;Judy loved camping with friends and family. She and Bruce made an annual trip to the mountains for many years. She was a sucker for a sappy romance novel, a cross word puzzle expert, and a life-long BINGO lover. She got involved, along with her husband, with The American Legion post in Hutchinson. She and Bruce were pivotal members involved in heart-warming send-offs for soldiers leaving their families, welcome home celebrations, and many a funeral for our fallen heroes. She was also part of a human shield protecting families of deceased military members from the ugliness of picketers.Judy loved people. She was always proud to have the opportunity to work with, meet, and befriend such an eclectic collection of people. She will be remembered by all she touched as a fun-loving little firecracker.A Celebration of Life service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68, 730 W. 4th Avenue, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, and Thursday, Feb. 25, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Legion Riders Family Assistance Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Judy Lee Branson | 1946 - 2021 |

Mary A. Roots, 75, died Feb. 17, 2021, at Hutchinson Regional Medial Center.&nbsp; She was born Jan. 12, 1946, in Great Bend, to William Arnold and Marjory Alzenith (Faulkner) Glass.

Mary graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1964, and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Sterling College and her Master of Arts Degree from Baker University. She taught English and home economics at Pretty Prairie High School, and English and science at Trinity Catholic High School. She ended her over 25-year teaching career as a special education teacher for USD 308. Mary was an active member of Crossroads Christian Church.

On March 18, 1967, she married Roger L. Roots, in South Hutchinson. They shared almost 54 years or marriage.

Mary is survived by husband, Roger of Hutchinson; children, Samuel Roots (Jules Pitchford) of Wichita, Matthew Roots (Tricia) of Inman, Katie Roots of New York, NY; sister, Patricia Peoples of Odenville, AL; grandchildren, Riley and Jayden Roots, and Sterling Roots; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and numerous friends and students.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marjory Glass; in-laws, C.A. “Bill” and Mildred Roots; brothers-in-law, Frank Peoples and Frank Fee; sister-in-law, Bonnie Fee; and niece, Carolyn Fee.

Cremation has taken place. Due to Covid-19, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Friends may sign her book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to Crossroads Christian Church (to benefit the missions of the Crossroads Women’s Ministry), which Mary was very involved with, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS&nbsp; 67501.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614036541278.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mary A. Roots, 75, died Feb. 17, 2021, at Hutchinson Regional Medial Center.&nbsp; She was born Jan. 12, 1946, in Great Bend, to William Arnold and Marjory Alzenith (Faulkner) Glass.Mary graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1964, and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Sterling College and her Master of Arts Degree from Baker University. She taught English and home economics at Pretty Prairie High School, and English and science at Trinity Catholic High School. She ended her over 25-year teaching career as a special education teacher for USD 308. Mary was an active member of Crossroads Christian Church.On March 18, 1967, she married Roger L. Roots, in South Hutchinson. They shared almost 54 years or marriage.Mary is survived by husband, Roger of Hutchinson; children, Samuel Roots (Jules Pitchford) of Wichita, Matthew Roots (Tricia) of Inman, Katie Roots of New York, NY; sister, Patricia Peoples of Odenville, AL; grandchildren, Riley and Jayden Roots, and Sterling Roots; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and numerous friends and students.She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marjory Glass; in-laws, C.A. “Bill” and Mildred Roots; brothers-in-law, Frank Peoples and Frank Fee; sister-in-law, Bonnie Fee; and niece, Carolyn Fee.Cremation has taken place. Due to Covid-19, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Friends may sign her book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Elliott Mortuary.Memorials are suggested to Crossroads Christian Church (to benefit the missions of the Crossroads Women’s Ministry), which Mary was very involved with, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS&nbsp; 67501.

Mary A. Roots | 1946 - 2021 |

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After months of planning, Superior Boiler is ready to take occupancy of the former Mega Manufacturing facility located just west of the current operations.

The company reached an agreement to buy the building so it could bring its Richmond, Virginia, plant to Hutchinson. The building has been occupied by Siemens for the past 10 years as a storage facility. According to Doug Wright with Superior, the building is now empty and they plan to start making minor renovations to the building starting next week.&nbsp;

Wright says they plan to begin moving in equipment in late March or early April and hope to be up and fully running by late June or early July.

The company is looking for full-time employees already and hopes to have an initial workforce of 30 when the building opens. That number is expected to increase by between five and 10 employees by the end of the first year. Superior is working with local and regional resources, including Hutchinson Community College and the state of Kansas, and will conduct internal training for existing employees who may desire to move into new roles.

Superior announced in March of last year plans to relocate the Richmond facility.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605801363438.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After months of planning, Superior Boiler is ready to take occupancy of the former Mega Manufacturing facility located just west of the current operations.The company reached an agreement to buy the building so it could bring its Richmond, Virginia, plant to Hutchinson. The building has been occupied by Siemens for the past 10 years as a storage facility. According to Doug Wright with Superior, the building is now empty and they plan to start making minor renovations to the building starting next week.&nbsp;Wright says they plan to begin moving in equipment in late March or early April and hope to be up and fully running by late June or early July.The company is looking for full-time employees already and hopes to have an initial workforce of 30 when the building opens. That number is expected to increase by between five and 10 employees by the end of the first year. Superior is working with local and regional resources, including Hutchinson Community College and the state of Kansas, and will conduct internal training for existing employees who may desire to move into new roles.Superior announced in March of last year plans to relocate the Richmond facility.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Superior expects Richmond move to be done by mid-summer

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

An early-season battle for first place in the Jayhawk West will take place at the Sports Arena on Monday night.

Second-place Hutchinson (5-3) takes on No. 22 Dodge City (6-2) at 7:30 p.m. on the home court of the Blue Dragons. The first-place Conquistadors lead the second-place Blue Dragons by one game as the league begins round-robin play within each division on Monday.

Monday's game features two of the best players in the KJCCC.

Hutchinson sophomore forward&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;comes off a game for the ages in the Blue Dragons' 113-99 loss at No. 23 Cowley last Wednesday. Mayers had career highs of 44 points and 16 rebounds against the Tigers. The 44 points were the fourth most scored by a Blue Dragon player in single-game history. Mayers is also the reigning NJCAA National Player of the Week.

College of Central Florida transfer Walyn Napper is a big reason by the Conquistadors are ranked and battling for a league title. Napper is fifth in the NJCAA at 8.4 assists per game. He is also second in the Jayhawk in scoring at 22.3 points per game. Twice named the league's Player of the Week, Napper has three double-doubles this season.

The loss to Cowley on Wednesday snapped a three-game Blue Dragon winning streak. Hutch had season highs for points (99), field-goal percentage (56.7) and assists (26) against Cowley. Hutch was held without a 3-point goal for the second-straight game and turned the ball over a season-worst 32 times that led to 48 Tigers points. Cowley also hit an opponent single-game record 19 3-pointers. Dodge City has dropped two straight after winning six in a row to start the season. The Conquistadors lost 65-58 to No. 5 Cowley on Saturday. One week ago, Dodge City lost its first game of the season in a 143-104 shootout loss to Cowley in Arkansas City. The Conquistadors gave up 25 3-pointers in the game.

Monday's matchup with Dodge City starts a three-game week for Hutchinson. The Dragons hit the road Wednesday at Northwest Tech at Saturday at Seward County.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/files/Game_9_-_Dodge_City.pdf">CLICK FOR GAME NOTES (PDF format)</a>

CLICK FOR HUTCHINSON-DODGE CITY ROSTER SHEETS

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationAn early-season battle for first place in the Jayhawk West will take place at the Sports Arena on Monday night.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613991921433.png" alt="MBB Info Box 2-22-21.png" />
 <figcaption>MBB Info Box 2-22-21.png</figcaption>
 </figure>Second-place Hutchinson (5-3) takes on No. 22 Dodge City (6-2) at 7:30 p.m. on the home court of the Blue Dragons. The first-place Conquistadors lead the second-place Blue Dragons by one game as the league begins round-robin play within each division on Monday.Monday's game features two of the best players in the KJCCC.Hutchinson sophomore forward&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;comes off a game for the ages in the Blue Dragons' 113-99 loss at No. 23 Cowley last Wednesday. Mayers had career highs of 44 points and 16 rebounds against the Tigers. The 44 points were the fourth most scored by a Blue Dragon player in single-game history. Mayers is also the reigning NJCAA National Player of the Week.College of Central Florida transfer Walyn Napper is a big reason by the Conquistadors are ranked and battling for a league title. Napper is fifth in the NJCAA at 8.4 assists per game. He is also second in the Jayhawk in scoring at 22.3 points per game. Twice named the league's Player of the Week, Napper has three double-doubles this season.The loss to Cowley on Wednesday snapped a three-game Blue Dragon winning streak. Hutch had season highs for points (99), field-goal percentage (56.7) and assists (26) against Cowley. Hutch was held without a 3-point goal for the second-straight game and turned the ball over a season-worst 32 times that led to 48 Tigers points. Cowley also hit an opponent single-game record 19 3-pointers. Dodge City has dropped two straight after winning six in a row to start the season. The Conquistadors lost 65-58 to No. 5 Cowley on Saturday. One week ago, Dodge City lost its first game of the season in a 143-104 shootout loss to Cowley in Arkansas City. The Conquistadors gave up 25 3-pointers in the game.Monday's matchup with Dodge City starts a three-game week for Hutchinson. The Dragons hit the road Wednesday at Northwest Tech at Saturday at Seward County.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/files/Game_9_-_Dodge_City.pdf">CLICK FOR GAME NOTES (PDF format)</a><h2>CLICK FOR HUTCHINSON-DODGE CITY ROSTER SHEETS</h2>

🏀 Blue Dragons, Conquistadors meet in battle of top 2 Jayhawk West Teams

Finishing play against the Jayhawk East at 5-2, the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team opens play against Jayhawk West competition on Monday night at the Sports Arena against the Dodge City Conquistadors. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m.

Hutchinson (6-2 overall) enters play on Monday coming off its most impressive victory of the season, an 84-61 victory at Cowley on Wednesday, which was the Blue Dragons' first road victory of the season. The Dragons had a conference bye on Saturday.

K.K. Adams led four Blue Dragons in double figures with 17 points and five assists. The Blue Dragons shot 51.7 percent and hit 10 of 17 3-pointers. Defensively, the Dragons held Cowley to 4 of 36 shooting in the second and third quarters - 27.8 percent for the game - outscoring the Tigers 44-18 in those two quarters.

Hutchinson opens the double-round robin Jayhawk West portion of its schedule in second place in the league, 0.5 games behind Seward County.

Monday starts a three-game week for the Blue Dragons. After Dodge City, the Blue Dragons are on the road in back-to-back games at Northwest Tech on Wednesday and at Seward County on Saturday.

Dodge City opened the season with consecutive wins over the Sterling College Junior Varsity and Neosho County, but has dropped six-straight games since then. The Conquistadors lost 62-58 at home on Saturday to Coffeyville, Dodge City led 53-48 after three quarters, but was outscored by the Red Ravens 14-5 in the final quarter.

Last season, Hutchinson and Dodge City split home games. The Blue Dragons hammered the Conquistadors 89-50 at the Sports Arena, but the Conquistadors caught Hutch on its worst offensive night of the 2019-20 season 69-55, earning a win over Hutchinson for the first time since the 2006 season.

Hutchinson sophomore point guard&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/alford_tor-e_j660">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;continues to lead the Jayhawk Conference in assists at 5.1 per contest. She is also third in the KJCCC in 3-point efficiency at 48.6 percent. Over her last three games, freshman guard&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/grassity_yana_fdqu">Yana Grassity</a>&nbsp;is averaging 10.6 points per game, shooting 9 of 16 from 3-point range.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationFinishing play against the Jayhawk East at 5-2, the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team opens play against Jayhawk West competition on Monday night at the Sports Arena against the Dodge City Conquistadors. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613991525839.png" alt="WBB Info Box 2-22-21.png" />
 <figcaption>WBB Info Box 2-22-21.png</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson (6-2 overall) enters play on Monday coming off its most impressive victory of the season, an 84-61 victory at Cowley on Wednesday, which was the Blue Dragons' first road victory of the season. The Dragons had a conference bye on Saturday.K.K. Adams led four Blue Dragons in double figures with 17 points and five assists. The Blue Dragons shot 51.7 percent and hit 10 of 17 3-pointers. Defensively, the Dragons held Cowley to 4 of 36 shooting in the second and third quarters - 27.8 percent for the game - outscoring the Tigers 44-18 in those two quarters.Hutchinson opens the double-round robin Jayhawk West portion of its schedule in second place in the league, 0.5 games behind Seward County.Monday starts a three-game week for the Blue Dragons. After Dodge City, the Blue Dragons are on the road in back-to-back games at Northwest Tech on Wednesday and at Seward County on Saturday.Dodge City opened the season with consecutive wins over the Sterling College Junior Varsity and Neosho County, but has dropped six-straight games since then. The Conquistadors lost 62-58 at home on Saturday to Coffeyville, Dodge City led 53-48 after three quarters, but was outscored by the Red Ravens 14-5 in the final quarter.Last season, Hutchinson and Dodge City split home games. The Blue Dragons hammered the Conquistadors 89-50 at the Sports Arena, but the Conquistadors caught Hutch on its worst offensive night of the 2019-20 season 69-55, earning a win over Hutchinson for the first time since the 2006 season.Hutchinson sophomore point guard&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/alford_tor-e_j660">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;continues to lead the Jayhawk Conference in assists at 5.1 per contest. She is also third in the KJCCC in 3-point efficiency at 48.6 percent. Over her last three games, freshman guard&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/grassity_yana_fdqu">Yana Grassity</a>&nbsp;is averaging 10.6 points per game, shooting 9 of 16 from 3-point range.CLICK FOR GAME NOTES (PDF format)<h2>CLICK FOR HUTCHINSON-DODGE CITY ROSTER SHEETS</h2>

🏀 HutchCC Women begin trek through Jayhawk West with Dodge City

Last season the Hutchinson Community College volleyball team defeated then-No. 10 Indian Hills in a five-set thriller in the Blue Dragon Classic at the Sports Arena.

The first nine rallies of Friday's 2021 rematch sure looked like the Warriors had revenge on their mind with four kills and three blocks leading to an 8-1 Indian Hills lead.

Led by sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/thorne_jenna_xncq">Jenna Thorne</a>&nbsp;and freshmen&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/briggs_shadee_xm04">Shadee Briggs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/murrell_shelby_tlgr">Shelby Murrell</a>, the Blue Dragons rallied to defeat Indian Hills in four sets, 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-17 to move to 2-0 on Day 1 of the Blue Dragon Classic. Hutchinson earlier in the day swept Central Community College.

The Blue Dragons are now 9-5 after their season-high fourth-straight victory. Hutchinson will play Mineral Area at 11:30 a.m. and Jefferson College at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday to close out the Blue Dragon Classic.

Thorne reached 20 kills in a match for the second time this season and posted her 10th double-double of the season to lead the Blue Dragons. She had 20 kills on 50 attacks and hit .300 to lead the Blue Dragons. Thorne had no less than four kills in each set. She added 15 digs and three service aces.

Briggs finished with 14 kills with four block assists and an ace. She hit .113.

Murrell hit a season-high .500 with a season-high 10 kills on 20 attacks and now errors. She also had a season-high nine 10 total blocks as Hutchinson had a 15-8 block advantage on Indian Hills in the match.

Setter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/price_chloe_rbgs">Chloe Price</a>&nbsp;had a big match with 45 set assists to go with four block assists, three kills two aces and 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Libero&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/reeder_shelby_zpe9">Shelby Reeder</a>&nbsp;had 25 digs in the match.

Precious Dailey had 16 kills and Jenna Vallee had 11 kills to lead the Warriors, who were 0-2 on Day 1 of the Blue Dragon Classic. Indian Hills also dropped a tight three-set match to No. 14 Missouri State-West Plains earlier in the game.

Indian Hills came out fast and led 8-1 out of the chute. The Blue Dragons immediately responded with a six-point&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;service run – Head had a season-high four service aces and has aces in three-straight matches – to pull the Blue Dragon with 8-7. The Blue Dragons tied the set at 12-all on a Briggs kill. Hutch took a short-lived lead at 15-14 after a Price/Head double block. Tied at 18, the Warriors produced kills on 6 of their next 7 points and closed out the set on a Cassia Lemos setter dump on set point. Each team had 14 kills in the opening set, but the Warriors out-blocked the Dragons 4-1.

The Blue Dragons got their block going in the second set with five team blocks. The Dragons had three early stuff blocks in building an early 8-6 lead. A Briggs kill then sparked a run of eight-straight Hutchinson points. Briggs' ace topped the run and Hutch led 16-6. Murrell got a kill to make it 19-8 Hutchison. The Warriors scored 5 of the next 6 points to pull within 20-13, but the Dragons got back-to-back double blocks from&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/larson_taegan_9xc6">Taegen Larsen</a>&nbsp;and Murrell and Larsen and Head to take a 22-13 lead. Thorne and Briggs had four kills each while Murrell and Larsen had four blocks assists each as Hutchinson tied the match at a set each after a 25-19 win in the second set.

The Dragons built an 11-6 lead in the third set when Indian Hills' Dailey started to come to life. She had six kills in the third set – 12 of her 16 kills game in the middle two sets. She terminated on back-to-back swings to pull the Warriors within 12-9. A 6-1 Indian Hills run tied the set at 12 after a Lemos service ace. Tied at 16, the Warriors committed two of their eight attack errors and Price dropped a setter dump for a 19-16 Dragon lead. With Hutchinson leading 21-18, the Warriors scored 6 of the next 8 points and had set point at 24-23. The Dragons fought off that set point with a Warrior service error. Hutch closed the set with an Indian Hills attack error and Thorne service ace.

Hutchinson built a 7-1 lead to start the fourth set and never looked back. Briggs had a kill to make it 11-4 before Indian Hills scored four straight and 8 of the next 11 points to pull within 14-12. Murrell then sparks a 7-0 Hutchinson run with two kills and two blocks. The Dragons quickly built a 21-12 lead. The final three Dragon points were a&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/lettries_myracle_x6su">Myracle Lettries</a>&nbsp;solo block, a Head/Briggs combo block and a Briggs kill on match point.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationLast season the Hutchinson Community College volleyball team defeated then-No. 10 Indian Hills in a five-set thriller in the Blue Dragon Classic at the Sports Arena.The first nine rallies of Friday's 2021 rematch sure looked like the Warriors had revenge on their mind with four kills and three blocks leading to an 8-1 Indian Hills lead.Led by sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/thorne_jenna_xncq">Jenna Thorne</a>&nbsp;and freshmen&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/briggs_shadee_xm04">Shadee Briggs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/murrell_shelby_tlgr">Shelby Murrell</a>, the Blue Dragons rallied to defeat Indian Hills in four sets, 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-17 to move to 2-0 on Day 1 of the Blue Dragon Classic. Hutchinson earlier in the day swept Central Community College.The Blue Dragons are now 9-5 after their season-high fourth-straight victory. Hutchinson will play Mineral Area at 11:30 a.m. and Jefferson College at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday to close out the Blue Dragon Classic.Thorne reached 20 kills in a match for the second time this season and posted her 10th double-double of the season to lead the Blue Dragons. She had 20 kills on 50 attacks and hit .300 to lead the Blue Dragons. Thorne had no less than four kills in each set. She added 15 digs and three service aces.Briggs finished with 14 kills with four block assists and an ace. She hit .113.Murrell hit a season-high .500 with a season-high 10 kills on 20 attacks and now errors. She also had a season-high nine 10 total blocks as Hutchinson had a 15-8 block advantage on Indian Hills in the match.Setter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/price_chloe_rbgs">Chloe Price</a>&nbsp;had a big match with 45 set assists to go with four block assists, three kills two aces and 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Libero&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/reeder_shelby_zpe9">Shelby Reeder</a>&nbsp;had 25 digs in the match.Precious Dailey had 16 kills and Jenna Vallee had 11 kills to lead the Warriors, who were 0-2 on Day 1 of the Blue Dragon Classic. Indian Hills also dropped a tight three-set match to No. 14 Missouri State-West Plains earlier in the game.Indian Hills came out fast and led 8-1 out of the chute. The Blue Dragons immediately responded with a six-point&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;service run – Head had a season-high four service aces and has aces in three-straight matches – to pull the Blue Dragon with 8-7. The Blue Dragons tied the set at 12-all on a Briggs kill. Hutch took a short-lived lead at 15-14 after a Price/Head double block. Tied at 18, the Warriors produced kills on 6 of their next 7 points and closed out the set on a Cassia Lemos setter dump on set point. Each team had 14 kills in the opening set, but the Warriors out-blocked the Dragons 4-1.The Blue Dragons got their block going in the second set with five team blocks. The Dragons had three early stuff blocks in building an early 8-6 lead. A Briggs kill then sparked a run of eight-straight Hutchinson points. Briggs' ace topped the run and Hutch led 16-6. Murrell got a kill to make it 19-8 Hutchison. The Warriors scored 5 of the next 6 points to pull within 20-13, but the Dragons got back-to-back double blocks from&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/larson_taegan_9xc6">Taegen Larsen</a>&nbsp;and Murrell and Larsen and Head to take a 22-13 lead. Thorne and Briggs had four kills each while Murrell and Larsen had four blocks assists each as Hutchinson tied the match at a set each after a 25-19 win in the second set.The Dragons built an 11-6 lead in the third set when Indian Hills' Dailey started to come to life. She had six kills in the third set – 12 of her 16 kills game in the middle two sets. She terminated on back-to-back swings to pull the Warriors within 12-9. A 6-1 Indian Hills run tied the set at 12 after a Lemos service ace. Tied at 16, the Warriors committed two of their eight attack errors and Price dropped a setter dump for a 19-16 Dragon lead. With Hutchinson leading 21-18, the Warriors scored 6 of the next 8 points and had set point at 24-23. The Dragons fought off that set point with a Warrior service error. Hutch closed the set with an Indian Hills attack error and Thorne service ace.Hutchinson built a 7-1 lead to start the fourth set and never looked back. Briggs had a kill to make it 11-4 before Indian Hills scored four straight and 8 of the next 11 points to pull within 14-12. Murrell then sparks a 7-0 Hutchinson run with two kills and two blocks. The Dragons quickly built a 21-12 lead. The final three Dragon points were a&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/lettries_myracle_x6su">Myracle Lettries</a>&nbsp;solo block, a Head/Briggs combo block and a Briggs kill on match point.

Blue Dragon Volleyball topples Indian Hills in 4 set in Classic

Held to just four kills over the first three sets, leading hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/thorne_jenna_xncq">Jenna Thorne</a>&nbsp;came to life when the Hutchinson Community College Volleyball Team needed her to.

Down 2 sets to 1 in its Blue Dragon Classic match against Mineral Area College, Hutchinson's leading hitter tallied eight kills and three blocks over the final two sets to help the Blue Dragons rally for a five-set victory over the Cardinals.

Hutchinson won its fifth match in a row after a 25-21, 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-7 victory over the Cardinals. This was Hutchinson's second five-set win this season as the Blue Dragons improved to 11-5 overall.

The Blue Dragons were supposed to play Jefferson College in the final match of the day, but Jefferson was forced to pull out of Saturday's matches. The Blue Dragons are next in action on Tuesday when they play host to Colby in a Jayhawk West weather make-up at 6 p.m. at the Sports Arena.

With the victory, Hutchinson finished undefeated in its home tournament for the first time since 2013.

After winning the first set, the Blue Dragons hit just .032 in the second and third sets combined and Mineral Area built a 2-1 match lead. Thorne was held to her lowest kill total through three sets all season.

That started to change in the fourth. Thorne had two kills and a block assist in an early 10-3 surge to start the fourth set. Her solo block late in the set stopped a 4-1 Mineral Area surge to give Hutch a 22-17 lead. The Dragons won 3 of the final 4 rallies to win 25-18 and force a fifth set.

Thorne took over in the fifth set with four kills and a solo block in a decisive 6-1 run that propelled Hutchinson to a 9-3 lead. The Blue Dragons sided out four-straight times to close out the Cardinals 15-7.

Thorne hit just .147 for the match with 12 kills and six errors on 34 swings. She hit .444 on her eight kills over the final two sets. Thorne had her third double-double of the Classic and 11th of the season with 11 digs and four total blocks, including two solo blocks.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/briggs_shadee_xm04">Shadee Briggs</a>&nbsp;had a match-high 16 kills on .289 hitting. She posted her second double-double of the weekend and fifth of the season with 18 digs. Briggs added three aces. She had four kills and a pair of aces in the fourth set.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/murrell_shelby_tlgr">Shelby Murrell</a>&nbsp;had eight kills on 18 attacks and four block assists. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;had six kills and eight total blocks.

The Blue Dragons out-blocked Mineral Area 16-5 and had eight service aces.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/price_chloe_rbgs">Chloe Price</a>&nbsp;had 43 assists with two blocks and two kills. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/reeder_shelby_zpe9">Shelby Reeder</a>&nbsp;finished with 25 digs.

Alayna Rooks had 14 kills and Kaylee Portel had 12 digs to lead Mineral Area.

The first set had 14 ties and 10 lead changes. Hutchinson led 17-15, but the Cardinals scored three in a row to take a one-point lead. Murrell tied it at 18 with a kill. The next seven rallies were all sideouts.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;had a kill to tie the set at 21. The Dragons scored the final five points of the set for a 20-21 win, the final two points coming on Briggs' kills.

Hutch led the second set 13-12 before the Cardinals took charge with a 6-0 run. With Mineral Area leading 20-14, the Dragons scored five-straight points, capped by a Price setter dump to pull within 20-19. Mineral Area scored 5 of the final 6 points of the set to even the match at 1-1.

Mineral Area built a 19-11 lead in the third set. The Blue Dragons climbed back into the set with a six-service run by Reeder, who had two aces in the run, to pull Hutchinson within 19-17. Mineral Area answered with three straight points and won the set 25-20 to lead the match 2-1.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/lettries_myracle_x6su">Myracle Lettries</a>&nbsp;had a solo block to cap a 7-1 Hutchinson start in the fourth set. Murrell's kill made it 10-3, but the Cardinals answered that surge with four-straight points to pull within 10-7 and Mineral Area eventually tied the set at 13 on a Blue Dragon attack error. A Briggs' kill then started a run of seven-straight point. The Dragons had three of their six fourth-set blocks during that run to lead 20-13. After the Cardinals pulled within 21-17, Thorne's solo block started a set-clinching 4-1 run to win 25-18, knotting the match at 2-all.

Mineral Area scored the first two points of the fifth set, but on Dragon attack errors. Thorne then exploded to give Hutch a 9-3 lead. In addition to Thorne's four kills and solo block, Reeder recorded her third ace of the match and a Head/Lettries double block gave Hutch a 9-3 lead. The Dragons didn't let Mineral Area back into the match with four-straight side-out opportunities. The Dragons held Mineral Area to only two kills in the final set.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationHeld to just four kills over the first three sets, leading hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/thorne_jenna_xncq">Jenna Thorne</a>&nbsp;came to life when the Hutchinson Community College Volleyball Team needed her to.Down 2 sets to 1 in its Blue Dragon Classic match against Mineral Area College, Hutchinson's leading hitter tallied eight kills and three blocks over the final two sets to help the Blue Dragons rally for a five-set victory over the Cardinals.Hutchinson won its fifth match in a row after a 25-21, 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-7 victory over the Cardinals. This was Hutchinson's second five-set win this season as the Blue Dragons improved to 11-5 overall.The Blue Dragons were supposed to play Jefferson College in the final match of the day, but Jefferson was forced to pull out of Saturday's matches. The Blue Dragons are next in action on Tuesday when they play host to Colby in a Jayhawk West weather make-up at 6 p.m. at the Sports Arena.With the victory, Hutchinson finished undefeated in its home tournament for the first time since 2013.After winning the first set, the Blue Dragons hit just .032 in the second and third sets combined and Mineral Area built a 2-1 match lead. Thorne was held to her lowest kill total through three sets all season.That started to change in the fourth. Thorne had two kills and a block assist in an early 10-3 surge to start the fourth set. Her solo block late in the set stopped a 4-1 Mineral Area surge to give Hutch a 22-17 lead. The Dragons won 3 of the final 4 rallies to win 25-18 and force a fifth set.Thorne took over in the fifth set with four kills and a solo block in a decisive 6-1 run that propelled Hutchinson to a 9-3 lead. The Blue Dragons sided out four-straight times to close out the Cardinals 15-7.Thorne hit just .147 for the match with 12 kills and six errors on 34 swings. She hit .444 on her eight kills over the final two sets. Thorne had her third double-double of the Classic and 11th of the season with 11 digs and four total blocks, including two solo blocks.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/briggs_shadee_xm04">Shadee Briggs</a>&nbsp;had a match-high 16 kills on .289 hitting. She posted her second double-double of the weekend and fifth of the season with 18 digs. Briggs added three aces. She had four kills and a pair of aces in the fourth set.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/murrell_shelby_tlgr">Shelby Murrell</a>&nbsp;had eight kills on 18 attacks and four block assists. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;had six kills and eight total blocks.The Blue Dragons out-blocked Mineral Area 16-5 and had eight service aces.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/price_chloe_rbgs">Chloe Price</a>&nbsp;had 43 assists with two blocks and two kills. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/reeder_shelby_zpe9">Shelby Reeder</a>&nbsp;finished with 25 digs.Alayna Rooks had 14 kills and Kaylee Portel had 12 digs to lead Mineral Area.The first set had 14 ties and 10 lead changes. Hutchinson led 17-15, but the Cardinals scored three in a row to take a one-point lead. Murrell tied it at 18 with a kill. The next seven rallies were all sideouts.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;had a kill to tie the set at 21. The Dragons scored the final five points of the set for a 20-21 win, the final two points coming on Briggs' kills.Hutch led the second set 13-12 before the Cardinals took charge with a 6-0 run. With Mineral Area leading 20-14, the Dragons scored five-straight points, capped by a Price setter dump to pull within 20-19. Mineral Area scored 5 of the final 6 points of the set to even the match at 1-1.Mineral Area built a 19-11 lead in the third set. The Blue Dragons climbed back into the set with a six-service run by Reeder, who had two aces in the run, to pull Hutchinson within 19-17. Mineral Area answered with three straight points and won the set 25-20 to lead the match 2-1.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/lettries_myracle_x6su">Myracle Lettries</a>&nbsp;had a solo block to cap a 7-1 Hutchinson start in the fourth set. Murrell's kill made it 10-3, but the Cardinals answered that surge with four-straight points to pull within 10-7 and Mineral Area eventually tied the set at 13 on a Blue Dragon attack error. A Briggs' kill then started a run of seven-straight point. The Dragons had three of their six fourth-set blocks during that run to lead 20-13. After the Cardinals pulled within 21-17, Thorne's solo block started a set-clinching 4-1 run to win 25-18, knotting the match at 2-all.Mineral Area scored the first two points of the fifth set, but on Dragon attack errors. Thorne then exploded to give Hutch a 9-3 lead. In addition to Thorne's four kills and solo block, Reeder recorded her third ace of the match and a Head/Lettries double block gave Hutch a 9-3 lead. The Dragons didn't let Mineral Area back into the match with four-straight side-out opportunities. The Dragons held Mineral Area to only two kills in the final set.

Blue Dragon Volleyball shines in Blue Dragon Classic going 3-0

Christina “Tina” Leah McFerrin, 63 years old, of Sylvia, KS was born May 18, 1957. She left this world to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021.

She married the love of her life, Montie McFerrin, on June 28, 1986. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Organizational Management from Sterling College in 2019, which was a lifelong dream and accomplishment. She worked in the financial aid department at Sterling College for 7.5 years. 

Tina was a founding member of the SaltCity Cowboy Church. 

She is survived by her husband, Montie McFerrin, of 34 years, her twins, Colton McFerrin and Kathryn Patee (Husband, Dustin Patee) and their three children; Malley, Welker and Bristol. She is also survived by her father, William “Bill” Mohr, mom, Sherri Mohr, and her brother, Gary Mohr (Joy Shaker), brother-in-law, Jerry McFerrin, sister-in-law, Susan McFerrin, and brother-in-law, Tim McFerrin, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Memorial arrangements are being handled by Hutchinson Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the SaltCity Cowboy Church, 810 N. Main, South Hutchinson. The memorial service will be Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 at 2 p.m., at the SaltCity Cowboy Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church, through Hutchinson Funeral Chapel 300 E. 30th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67502.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613754994194.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Christina “Tina” Leah McFerrin, 63 years old, of Sylvia, KS was born May 18, 1957. She left this world to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021.She married the love of her life, Montie McFerrin, on June 28, 1986. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Organizational Management from Sterling College in 2019, which was a lifelong dream and accomplishment. She worked in the financial aid department at Sterling College for 7.5 years. Tina was a founding member of the SaltCity Cowboy Church. She is survived by her husband, Montie McFerrin, of 34 years, her twins, Colton McFerrin and Kathryn Patee (Husband, Dustin Patee) and their three children; Malley, Welker and Bristol. She is also survived by her father, William “Bill” Mohr, mom, Sherri Mohr, and her brother, Gary Mohr (Joy Shaker), brother-in-law, Jerry McFerrin, sister-in-law, Susan McFerrin, and brother-in-law, Tim McFerrin, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Memorial arrangements are being handled by Hutchinson Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the SaltCity Cowboy Church, 810 N. Main, South Hutchinson. The memorial service will be Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 at 2 p.m., at the SaltCity Cowboy Church.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church, through Hutchinson Funeral Chapel 300 E. 30th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67502.

Christina “Tina” Leah McFerrin | 1957 - 2021 |

Mildred Elaine Mauck Decker Applegate was born Dec. 17, 1923, the sixth child of Phillip and Bessie Holmes Mauck. She died Feb. 15, 2021, in Fort Collins, CO. Her childhood was spent in the rural central Kansas community of Lerado, and she graduated from Langdon High School in 1941.

Elaine attended Fort Hays Kansas State College in 1941-1942 and earned a teaching certificate. In 1942-1943 she taught eight grades at Prairie Hall school northwest of Pretty Prairie, Kansas. Then in 1943-1944 she taught grades 1-3 at Plevna Kansas Elementary School.

While at Fort Hays College, Elaine met Kenneth Sylvester Decker of Bison, Kansas and they were married in March 25, 1944. In the winter of 1948, Kenneth was diagnosed with leukemia and died on July 9, 1948. Elaine gave birth to their son, Kenneth Sylvester Decker, Jr. on Nov. 5, 1948.

On Sept. 14, 1949 Elaine and Harold Glenn Applegate were married at her grandfather’s home in Langdon KS. Glenn worked in the Plevna State Bank in Plevna, and so Elaine, Glenn and Kenny moved to Plevna. Their daughter Barbara Elaine was born Aug. 3, 1950 and Glenn adopted Kenny at the same time. Another son Gary Robert was born July 16, 1953. In 1957, Glenn took a job at the First State Bank in Leoti, KS, 200 miles to the west of Plevna. A third son, Randy Lee was born in Leoti on May 27, 1958.

Once Glenn retired from the bank in Jan.1984, he and Elaine became “snowbirds”, spending summers in Leoti and winters in Apache Junction, AZ. Glenn passed away in January 2005, shortly after their move from Leoti to independent living at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson, KS, just a few miles from where Elaine and Glenn grew up. Elaine lived at Wesley Towers until 2016 when she moved to Fort Collins, CO to be near her daughter Barbara, son Randy, and sister Melba Treaster.

Elaine lived in independent living until March, 2020, when due to Covid-19 lockdown she moved in with Barbara. She was able to remain in Barbara’s home until her death from natural causes on Feb. 15, 2021, at age 97.

Elaine was predeceased by her husbands Kenneth Decker and Glenn Applegate, son Kenneth, her parents Phillip and Bessie Mauck, sisters Beulah, Lois, Phyllis Mae, and Marjorie, brothers Howard, Kenneth, Kenton, and Henry.

She is survived by her sister Melba Treaster of Fort Collins, CO, daughter Barbara Applegate of Fort Collins, CO, son Gary Applegate and daughter-in-law Kathy of Wichita KS, son Randy Applegate and daughter-in-law Vikki of Westminster, CO.&nbsp; She is also survived by nine grandchildren:&nbsp; Bonnie Gottschalk, Lynn Books, Janette Ashton, Tim Applegate (Erin), Judy Olguin (Donald), Morgan Eaton, Kenneth Applegate (Corey), Matthew Applegate (Aubrey), Brittany Applegate, Elizabeth Applegate (Colby); 20 great-grandchildren: Nicole, Coty, Kayla, Charles Books, Annabella and Elianna Gunn, Jaxson Gilbert, Hattie Applegate, Olin Applegate, Willow Applegate, Reece Gasparino, Donnie Olguin III, Zari Olguin, Jordan Olguin, Cataleya Olguin, Annabelle Applegate, Jason Applegate, Adalyn Applegate, Alivia Applegate, Anay Applegate, Jonah Whitehead, and Adriela Whitehead.&nbsp;

A service will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St, Fort Collins, CO at 10 a.m. on Friday Feb. 19, 2021. Masks and social distancing are required. The service will also be live-streamed.

A visitation will be held at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS. on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

&nbsp;A graveside service for family and friends will be held at Lerado Cemetery in Reno County, KS on Memorial Sunday, May 30, 2021.

Memorial donations may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, Fort Collins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613754502230.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mildred Elaine Mauck Decker Applegate was born Dec. 17, 1923, the sixth child of Phillip and Bessie Holmes Mauck. She died Feb. 15, 2021, in Fort Collins, CO. Her childhood was spent in the rural central Kansas community of Lerado, and she graduated from Langdon High School in 1941.Elaine attended Fort Hays Kansas State College in 1941-1942 and earned a teaching certificate. In 1942-1943 she taught eight grades at Prairie Hall school northwest of Pretty Prairie, Kansas. Then in 1943-1944 she taught grades 1-3 at Plevna Kansas Elementary School.While at Fort Hays College, Elaine met Kenneth Sylvester Decker of Bison, Kansas and they were married in March 25, 1944. In the winter of 1948, Kenneth was diagnosed with leukemia and died on July 9, 1948. Elaine gave birth to their son, Kenneth Sylvester Decker, Jr. on Nov. 5, 1948.On Sept. 14, 1949 Elaine and Harold Glenn Applegate were married at her grandfather’s home in Langdon KS. Glenn worked in the Plevna State Bank in Plevna, and so Elaine, Glenn and Kenny moved to Plevna. Their daughter Barbara Elaine was born Aug. 3, 1950 and Glenn adopted Kenny at the same time. Another son Gary Robert was born July 16, 1953. In 1957, Glenn took a job at the First State Bank in Leoti, KS, 200 miles to the west of Plevna. A third son, Randy Lee was born in Leoti on May 27, 1958.Once Glenn retired from the bank in Jan.1984, he and Elaine became “snowbirds”, spending summers in Leoti and winters in Apache Junction, AZ. Glenn passed away in January 2005, shortly after their move from Leoti to independent living at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson, KS, just a few miles from where Elaine and Glenn grew up. Elaine lived at Wesley Towers until 2016 when she moved to Fort Collins, CO to be near her daughter Barbara, son Randy, and sister Melba Treaster.Elaine lived in independent living until March, 2020, when due to Covid-19 lockdown she moved in with Barbara. She was able to remain in Barbara’s home until her death from natural causes on Feb. 15, 2021, at age 97.Elaine was predeceased by her husbands Kenneth Decker and Glenn Applegate, son Kenneth, her parents Phillip and Bessie Mauck, sisters Beulah, Lois, Phyllis Mae, and Marjorie, brothers Howard, Kenneth, Kenton, and Henry.She is survived by her sister Melba Treaster of Fort Collins, CO, daughter Barbara Applegate of Fort Collins, CO, son Gary Applegate and daughter-in-law Kathy of Wichita KS, son Randy Applegate and daughter-in-law Vikki of Westminster, CO.&nbsp; She is also survived by nine grandchildren:&nbsp; Bonnie Gottschalk, Lynn Books, Janette Ashton, Tim Applegate (Erin), Judy Olguin (Donald), Morgan Eaton, Kenneth Applegate (Corey), Matthew Applegate (Aubrey), Brittany Applegate, Elizabeth Applegate (Colby); 20 great-grandchildren: Nicole, Coty, Kayla, Charles Books, Annabella and Elianna Gunn, Jaxson Gilbert, Hattie Applegate, Olin Applegate, Willow Applegate, Reece Gasparino, Donnie Olguin III, Zari Olguin, Jordan Olguin, Cataleya Olguin, Annabelle Applegate, Jason Applegate, Adalyn Applegate, Alivia Applegate, Anay Applegate, Jonah Whitehead, and Adriela Whitehead.&nbsp;A service will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St, Fort Collins, CO at 10 a.m. on Friday Feb. 19, 2021. Masks and social distancing are required. The service will also be live-streamed.A visitation will be held at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS. on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.&nbsp;A graveside service for family and friends will be held at Lerado Cemetery in Reno County, KS on Memorial Sunday, May 30, 2021.Memorial donations may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, Fort Collins.

Elaine Applegate | 1923 - 2021 |

The Salina and Hutchinson districts will be getting a new district superintendent, the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church announced earlier this week.

According to information from the conference, the Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff, will assume the responsibilites of superintendent for the Salina and Hutchinson districts on July 1. She is one of three new district superintendents announced by the conference.

“I’m very excited about the skill sets, perspectives, and diversity of the group — age, gender and ethnicity,” Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr., said. “I’m excited about the different gifts they all bring, their unique pastoral experiences, the contexts they’ve been in, and how they will all add to the cabinet to move the conference forward.”

Rice Ratzlaff’s call from the bishop came as she was in the middle of a four-day meeting of the conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry, or BOOM, which determines recommendations of candidates for ordained ministry.

“I really didn’t know what to say, and that is unusual for me,” she said with a laugh.

“Once I got back to my Zoom meeting and seeing all the faces of the candidates we were meeting and the board, there was something about seeing that connection while getting that call that was really meaningful,” she said.

“I just care deeply about pastors,” Rice Ratzlaff added. “I know what it’s like to just work so hard in the local church, and I want to be a supportive presence for clergy.”

Rice Ratzlaff will follow the Rev. Dee Williamston, who last month was announced as director of clergy excellence and assistant to the bishop as of July 1, as superintendent of the Hutchinson and Salina districts.

“District superintendents are an extension of the office of the bishop. They oversee the total ministry of the clergy and of the churches in the communities of the district in their missions of witness and service in the world. And they relate to people across all theological spectrums. I want somebody that can pull people together, that can coach others, that can work with groups to help them accomplish great things for Christ’s mission,” Saenz said. “Karen checked all of those boxes.”

Saenz praised Rice Ratzlaff as being “highly relatable” with a passion for leadership development.

“Karen is an amazing, gifted person that has tremendous communication skills and can convene people and help them accomplish great things,” he said.

Being named as a district superintendent, she said, “connects me deeply to the heart of the church in our conference — that sense of what the church is going to become. I felt really scared and really excited at the same time.”

Rice Ratzlaff has what she calls “just a deep love for all the life-giving aspects of the church.

“I can’t give up on the church and what we are called to be together,” she said. “I love thinking about vision and missional alignment. Those are my favorite things because of the excitement that generates and the clarity that brings for next steps and hope in a congregation.”

A farmer’s daughter who grew up north of Goodland, Rice Ratzlaff earned a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and her master’s degree from Saint Paul School of Theology. In January, she began work for her doctorate in ministry from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, concentrating in spiritual direction.

After a little more than three years as an associate pastor at Wichita Calvary UMC, she served 22 years — 16 as associate, six as senior — at McPherson UMC.

“Having that long-term partnership, really over the course of a lifetime, built a kind of trust in the church and in the community,” Rice Ratzlaff said, adding that she has performed weddings for church members that she baptized as infants – a rarity in the itinerant United Methodist system.

She is proud of the work that McPherson did with justice ministry surrounding poverty. Steps to End Poverty in McPherson County, formerly known as Circles, has assisted many individuals in the area, she said.

Rice Ratzlaff stepped away from pulpit ministry in 2019, and in 2020 joined the staff of the Wichita-based SoCe Life for its Good Neighboring Movement, leading cohorts of churches.

“I’ve always been passionate about community engagement, particularly building relationships with people across class lines,” she said. “I think being a part of the Neighboring Movement reminds you of how many communities we’re connected in as the church and how the gifts in our community really point the way for our churches.”

Rice Ratzlaff, 53, lives in her husband’s hometown of Moundridge, where he is a physician. They have three grown children: one entering medical school residency, another a middle-school English teacher and the youngest a junior at the University of Kansas.

The location is ideal for the superintendent posts, she said, since it is 45 miles from Salina and 35 miles from Hutchinson.

“Karen is from that area so she knows that area extremely well,” Saenz said. “Her time to on-board to know the churches and know the pastors is almost going to be non-existent. She can step in there Day One and know who people are, where the churches are, and what they’re doing.”

Saenz said he is looking forward to working with the new district superintendents as they further Christ’s mission in the Great Plains.

“They’re all successful, much-beloved and will be highly effective district superintendents,” the bishop said. “I am extremely, extremely overjoyed and excited about what these three new cabinet members are going to bring to the cabinet and the amazing work they’re going to accomplish in their respective districts and together as part of the cabinet team.”

The above story was pulled from a larger story by David Burke, conference content specialist, about the three newly announced district superintendents that was published on the conference&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatplainsumc.org/">website</a>.&nbsp;The information is republished with permission.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613705218762.jpeg" alt="Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff-Photo Courtesy Great Plains Conference" />
 <figcaption>Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff-Photo Courtesy Great Plains Conference</figcaption>
 </figure>The Salina and Hutchinson districts will be getting a new district superintendent, the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church announced earlier this week.According to information from the conference, the Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff, will assume the responsibilites of superintendent for the Salina and Hutchinson districts on July 1. She is one of three new district superintendents announced by the conference.“I’m very excited about the skill sets, perspectives, and diversity of the group — age, gender and ethnicity,” Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr., said. “I’m excited about the different gifts they all bring, their unique pastoral experiences, the contexts they’ve been in, and how they will all add to the cabinet to move the conference forward.”Rice Ratzlaff’s call from the bishop came as she was in the middle of a four-day meeting of the conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry, or BOOM, which determines recommendations of candidates for ordained ministry.“I really didn’t know what to say, and that is unusual for me,” she said with a laugh.“Once I got back to my Zoom meeting and seeing all the faces of the candidates we were meeting and the board, there was something about seeing that connection while getting that call that was really meaningful,” she said.“I just care deeply about pastors,” Rice Ratzlaff added. “I know what it’s like to just work so hard in the local church, and I want to be a supportive presence for clergy.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613705054256.jpeg" alt="Rev. Dee Williamston-Photo Courtesy Great Plains Conference" />
 <figcaption>Rev. Dee Williamston-Photo Courtesy Great Plains Conference</figcaption>
 </figure>The Rev. Dee WilliamstonRice Ratzlaff will follow the Rev. Dee Williamston, who last month was announced as director of clergy excellence and assistant to the bishop as of July 1, as superintendent of the Hutchinson and Salina districts.“District superintendents are an extension of the office of the bishop. They oversee the total ministry of the clergy and of the churches in the communities of the district in their missions of witness and service in the world. And they relate to people across all theological spectrums. I want somebody that can pull people together, that can coach others, that can work with groups to help them accomplish great things for Christ’s mission,” Saenz said. “Karen checked all of those boxes.”Saenz praised Rice Ratzlaff as being “highly relatable” with a passion for leadership development.“Karen is an amazing, gifted person that has tremendous communication skills and can convene people and help them accomplish great things,” he said.Being named as a district superintendent, she said, “connects me deeply to the heart of the church in our conference — that sense of what the church is going to become. I felt really scared and really excited at the same time.”Rice Ratzlaff has what she calls “just a deep love for all the life-giving aspects of the church.“I can’t give up on the church and what we are called to be together,” she said. “I love thinking about vision and missional alignment. Those are my favorite things because of the excitement that generates and the clarity that brings for next steps and hope in a congregation.”A farmer’s daughter who grew up north of Goodland, Rice Ratzlaff earned a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and her master’s degree from Saint Paul School of Theology. In January, she began work for her doctorate in ministry from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, concentrating in spiritual direction.After a little more than three years as an associate pastor at Wichita Calvary UMC, she served 22 years — 16 as associate, six as senior — at McPherson UMC.“Having that long-term partnership, really over the course of a lifetime, built a kind of trust in the church and in the community,” Rice Ratzlaff said, adding that she has performed weddings for church members that she baptized as infants – a rarity in the itinerant United Methodist system.She is proud of the work that McPherson did with justice ministry surrounding poverty. Steps to End Poverty in McPherson County, formerly known as Circles, has assisted many individuals in the area, she said.Rice Ratzlaff stepped away from pulpit ministry in 2019, and in 2020 joined the staff of the Wichita-based SoCe Life for its Good Neighboring Movement, leading cohorts of churches.“I’ve always been passionate about community engagement, particularly building relationships with people across class lines,” she said. “I think being a part of the Neighboring Movement reminds you of how many communities we’re connected in as the church and how the gifts in our community really point the way for our churches.”Rice Ratzlaff, 53, lives in her husband’s hometown of Moundridge, where he is a physician. They have three grown children: one entering medical school residency, another a middle-school English teacher and the youngest a junior at the University of Kansas.The location is ideal for the superintendent posts, she said, since it is 45 miles from Salina and 35 miles from Hutchinson.“Karen is from that area so she knows that area extremely well,” Saenz said. “Her time to on-board to know the churches and know the pastors is almost going to be non-existent. She can step in there Day One and know who people are, where the churches are, and what they’re doing.”Saenz said he is looking forward to working with the new district superintendents as they further Christ’s mission in the Great Plains.“They’re all successful, much-beloved and will be highly effective district superintendents,” the bishop said. “I am extremely, extremely overjoyed and excited about what these three new cabinet members are going to bring to the cabinet and the amazing work they’re going to accomplish in their respective districts and together as part of the cabinet team.”. . .The above story was pulled from a larger story by David Burke, conference content specialist, about the three newly announced district superintendents that was published on the conference&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatplainsumc.org/">website</a>.&nbsp;The information is republished with permission.

UMC: Rice Ratzlaff new district superintendent for Salina, Hutchinson districts

ARKANSAS CITY - Hutchinson Community College sophomore forward&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;had quite a Wednesday.

Early in the day, Mayers was named by the Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week and later named the NJCAA National Player of the Week. For an encore, the sophomore from Hastings-On-Hudson, New York, posted a huge double-double and scored the fourth-most points in Blue Dragon single-game history against No. 23 Cowley at Scott Auditorium.

Mayers' 44-point, 14-rebound effort wasn't enough for the Blue Dragons to overcome a season-high 31 turnovers and a dubious record of 19 3-pointers allowed as Hutchinson fell to the Tigers, 113-99.

Hutchinson had its three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the Jayhawk West. Hutchinson plays host to No. 22 Dodge City at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Sports Arena. Cowley won its third-straight over the Blue Dragons and improved to 6-3 overall and 6-1 in the Jayhawk West.

Mayers became just the eighth Blue Dragon in program history to score 40 or more points in a game and was the first since J.J. Rhymes' 41-point outing at Butler in 2017. Only Darius Johnson-Odom (46 points vs. Coffeyville in 2008), Bashir Ahmed (46 points vs. Cowley in 2016) and Richard Morsden (45 points vs. Dodge City in 1972) had bigger single scoring games than Mayers.

Mayers' shot 15 of 20 from the field. His 15 field goals are a single-game Blue Dragon record. Mayers was 14 of 14 from the free-throw line, which tied for the sixth-most free throws in single-game history. Along with his career-high 14 rebounds, Mayers posted his fourth career double-double.

But turnovers and Cowley's torrid 3-point shooting were too much for the Dragons to overcome.

The Blue Dragons committed 31 turnovers, which led to a 42-6 Cowley advantage in points off turnovers. It was the first time since February 2, 2009 that the Blue Dragons committed 30 or more turnovers in a game.

The Tigers also sank 19 of 43 free-throw attempts, the most 3-pointers ever allowed by a Blue Dragon team. Six difference Tigers hit 3-pointers in the game led by Moun'Tae Edmundson's six, Cevin Clark's five and Mike'l Henderson's four 3-pointers.

The 113 points allowed tied for the third most points given up in a single game in Blue Dragon history.

Hidden in all of that was the fact the Blue Dragons had season highs in points and field-goal percentage at 55.9 percent. The Dragons also out-rebounded Cowley 51-29.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/kuath_majok_xrls">Majok Kuath</a>&nbsp;scored a season-high 22 points on 10 of 17 shooting with a season-high-tying nine rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/robinson_chris_q1cl">Chris Robinson</a>&nbsp;was the only other Blue Dragon in double figures with 13 points and a season-high seven assists.

The Blue Dragons were 38 of 68 overall, going 0 for 3 from 3-point range and 23 of 30 from the free-throw line.

Henderson set an individual opponent high of 29 points to lead the Tigers. Clark had 19 points, Edmundson had 18 points and Dalen Ridgnal had 17 points for the Tigers.

Cowley shot 44.7 percent (34 of 76) overall and was 26 of 32 from the free-throw line. The Tigers had 16 turnovers.

Hutchinson allowed a season-worst 56 points on 10 3-pointers in the first half as Cowley led 56-47 at halftime. The Blue Dragons made several second-half runs at the Tigers, but were turned away at every challenge.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/okon_jaden_os3t">Jaden Okon</a>&nbsp;layup with 18:39 left pulled the Blue Dragons within 58-52, but Cowley instantly responded with an 8-2 surge and led 66-54 after a Ridgnal field goal with 17:00 to play in the half.

Hutchinson's most serious challenge got the Blue Dragons within 72-68 after a Kuath dunk with 12:42 remaining. A Clark 3-pointer with 10:23 to go capped an 11-2 Tiger run and Cowley instantly led 83-70.

Another Clark trey gave the Tigers a 16-point lead at 92-76 with 7:27 left. The Dragons made things interesting in the final minutes and pulled within 103-97 after a Kuath hoop with 1:46 to go. Cowley finished off the Dragons going 10 of 10 from the free-throw line for the remainder of the game.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;– Cowley's 113-point effort matched its 113 points scored against Hutchinson on January 6, 2016 in the Sports Arena, a 113-111 triple-overtime victory by the Tigers. … The 99 points scored in a loss is the fourth-highest output by the Blue Dragons in a loss. … The previous record for 3-pointers for the Blue Dragons was 18 set by Neosho County on January 31, 2018. … The Dragons are now 86-44 all-time against Cowley. … Hutchinson is 1-2 in road games this season. … The Dragons are now 0-2 against nationally ranked teams this season.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationARKANSAS CITY - Hutchinson Community College sophomore forward&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;had quite a Wednesday.Early in the day, Mayers was named by the Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week and later named the NJCAA National Player of the Week. For an encore, the sophomore from Hastings-On-Hudson, New York, posted a huge double-double and scored the fourth-most points in Blue Dragon single-game history against No. 23 Cowley at Scott Auditorium.Mayers' 44-point, 14-rebound effort wasn't enough for the Blue Dragons to overcome a season-high 31 turnovers and a dubious record of 19 3-pointers allowed as Hutchinson fell to the Tigers, 113-99.Hutchinson had its three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the Jayhawk West. Hutchinson plays host to No. 22 Dodge City at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Sports Arena. Cowley won its third-straight over the Blue Dragons and improved to 6-3 overall and 6-1 in the Jayhawk West.Mayers became just the eighth Blue Dragon in program history to score 40 or more points in a game and was the first since J.J. Rhymes' 41-point outing at Butler in 2017. Only Darius Johnson-Odom (46 points vs. Coffeyville in 2008), Bashir Ahmed (46 points vs. Cowley in 2016) and Richard Morsden (45 points vs. Dodge City in 1972) had bigger single scoring games than Mayers.Mayers' shot 15 of 20 from the field. His 15 field goals are a single-game Blue Dragon record. Mayers was 14 of 14 from the free-throw line, which tied for the sixth-most free throws in single-game history. Along with his career-high 14 rebounds, Mayers posted his fourth career double-double.But turnovers and Cowley's torrid 3-point shooting were too much for the Dragons to overcome.The Blue Dragons committed 31 turnovers, which led to a 42-6 Cowley advantage in points off turnovers. It was the first time since February 2, 2009 that the Blue Dragons committed 30 or more turnovers in a game.The Tigers also sank 19 of 43 free-throw attempts, the most 3-pointers ever allowed by a Blue Dragon team. Six difference Tigers hit 3-pointers in the game led by Moun'Tae Edmundson's six, Cevin Clark's five and Mike'l Henderson's four 3-pointers.The 113 points allowed tied for the third most points given up in a single game in Blue Dragon history.Hidden in all of that was the fact the Blue Dragons had season highs in points and field-goal percentage at 55.9 percent. The Dragons also out-rebounded Cowley 51-29.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/kuath_majok_xrls">Majok Kuath</a>&nbsp;scored a season-high 22 points on 10 of 17 shooting with a season-high-tying nine rebounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/robinson_chris_q1cl">Chris Robinson</a>&nbsp;was the only other Blue Dragon in double figures with 13 points and a season-high seven assists.The Blue Dragons were 38 of 68 overall, going 0 for 3 from 3-point range and 23 of 30 from the free-throw line.Henderson set an individual opponent high of 29 points to lead the Tigers. Clark had 19 points, Edmundson had 18 points and Dalen Ridgnal had 17 points for the Tigers.Cowley shot 44.7 percent (34 of 76) overall and was 26 of 32 from the free-throw line. The Tigers had 16 turnovers.Hutchinson allowed a season-worst 56 points on 10 3-pointers in the first half as Cowley led 56-47 at halftime. The Blue Dragons made several second-half runs at the Tigers, but were turned away at every challenge.A&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/okon_jaden_os3t">Jaden Okon</a>&nbsp;layup with 18:39 left pulled the Blue Dragons within 58-52, but Cowley instantly responded with an 8-2 surge and led 66-54 after a Ridgnal field goal with 17:00 to play in the half.Hutchinson's most serious challenge got the Blue Dragons within 72-68 after a Kuath dunk with 12:42 remaining. A Clark 3-pointer with 10:23 to go capped an 11-2 Tiger run and Cowley instantly led 83-70.Another Clark trey gave the Tigers a 16-point lead at 92-76 with 7:27 left. The Dragons made things interesting in the final minutes and pulled within 103-97 after a Kuath hoop with 1:46 to go. Cowley finished off the Dragons going 10 of 10 from the free-throw line for the remainder of the game.GAME NOTES&nbsp;– Cowley's 113-point effort matched its 113 points scored against Hutchinson on January 6, 2016 in the Sports Arena, a 113-111 triple-overtime victory by the Tigers. … The 99 points scored in a loss is the fourth-highest output by the Blue Dragons in a loss. … The previous record for 3-pointers for the Blue Dragons was 18 set by Neosho County on January 31, 2018. … The Dragons are now 86-44 all-time against Cowley. … Hutchinson is 1-2 in road games this season. … The Dragons are now 0-2 against nationally ranked teams this season.

🏀 Mayers' huge night not enough for Blue Dragons

ARKANSAS CITY – The No. 24-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team shot a season-high 51.7 percent and picked up its first road victory of the season Wednesday night.

The Blue Dragons led wire to wire in an 84-61 Jayhawk Conference road victory over the Cowley Tigers at Scott Auditorium.

The Blue Dragons improve to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the Jayhawk West and are now 1-2 in road games this season. Cowley had its three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the Jayhawk East.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/alford_tor-e_j660">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;hit two quick 3-pointers to give the Blue Dragons an early 6-0 lead. The Dragons lead 19-18 after one quarter, surviving a 3 1/2-minute scoreless spell and didn't relinquish the lead. Hutchinson still had a one-point lead (23-22) two minutes into the second quarter.

The game, from that point, belonged to the Blue Dragons.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/ervin_kalyn_foze">Kalyn Ervin</a>'s transition layup after a Cowley turnover sparked what became a 12-4 Hutchinson run to close the second quarter. Hutchinson's KJCCC No. 2-ranked defense held Cowley to 2 of 19 shooting in the second period as Hutchinson outscored the Tigers 15-8 in the second stanza to lead 34-26 at halftime.

The Blue Dragons put a stranglehold on Cowley outscoring the Tigers 29-10 in the third period. The Blue Dragons were 10 of 12 shooting in the third quarter and the Tigers were a frigid 2 of 17 from the floor as Hutchinson led 63-36 after three quarters.

K.K. Adams came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers to lead the Blue Dragons. Adams added four assists and led four Blue Dragons in double figures.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/suttington_ishante_gbs8">Ishante Suttington</a>&nbsp;tied a season high with 16 points, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range. She also tied a season high with seven rebounds. Alford was 5 of 5 shooting, including two 3-pointers to finish with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/grassity_yana_fdqu">Yana Grassity</a>&nbsp;had 11 points and six assists.

The Blue Dragons shot 30 of 58 from the field overall, going 10 of 17 from 3-point range and 14 of 23 from the free-throw line. Hutchinson out-rebounded Cowley 48-42 –&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/haidara_nafatoumata_7n3l">Nafatoumata Haidara</a>&nbsp;had a season-high 10 boards – and the Blue Dragons overcame a season-high-tying 22 turnovers.

Martyna Kowalska had a game-high 18 points, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter to lead Cowley. She became the first Blue Dragon opponent with a double-double, garnering 11 rebounds. Baylee Fincher added 16 for the Tigers. Cowley's leading scorer, Seanna Boltz, was limited to two points on 1 of 10 shooting.

Cowley shot a season-low 28.2 percent (20 of 71), going 5 of 27 from 3-point range and 16 of 25 from the free-throw line. The Tigers had 14 turnovers.

The Blue Dragons are off Saturday and will play host to Dodge City in the opening of Jayhawk West play at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at the Sports Arena.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons are now 27-23 all-time against Cowley, winning 13 of the last 14 meeting. Hutchinson is 7-11 in Arkansas City. … Hutchinson head coach John Ontjes is now tied with Cowley coach Todd Clark for fourth on the KJCCC coaching wins list with 381. … Ontjes used his sixth different starting line-up in eight games.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationARKANSAS CITY – The No. 24-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team shot a season-high 51.7 percent and picked up its first road victory of the season Wednesday night.The Blue Dragons led wire to wire in an 84-61 Jayhawk Conference road victory over the Cowley Tigers at Scott Auditorium.The Blue Dragons improve to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the Jayhawk West and are now 1-2 in road games this season. Cowley had its three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the Jayhawk East.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/alford_tor-e_j660">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;hit two quick 3-pointers to give the Blue Dragons an early 6-0 lead. The Dragons lead 19-18 after one quarter, surviving a 3 1/2-minute scoreless spell and didn't relinquish the lead. Hutchinson still had a one-point lead (23-22) two minutes into the second quarter.The game, from that point, belonged to the Blue Dragons.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/ervin_kalyn_foze">Kalyn Ervin</a>'s transition layup after a Cowley turnover sparked what became a 12-4 Hutchinson run to close the second quarter. Hutchinson's KJCCC No. 2-ranked defense held Cowley to 2 of 19 shooting in the second period as Hutchinson outscored the Tigers 15-8 in the second stanza to lead 34-26 at halftime.The Blue Dragons put a stranglehold on Cowley outscoring the Tigers 29-10 in the third period. The Blue Dragons were 10 of 12 shooting in the third quarter and the Tigers were a frigid 2 of 17 from the floor as Hutchinson led 63-36 after three quarters.K.K. Adams came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers to lead the Blue Dragons. Adams added four assists and led four Blue Dragons in double figures.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/suttington_ishante_gbs8">Ishante Suttington</a>&nbsp;tied a season high with 16 points, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range. She also tied a season high with seven rebounds. Alford was 5 of 5 shooting, including two 3-pointers to finish with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/grassity_yana_fdqu">Yana Grassity</a>&nbsp;had 11 points and six assists.The Blue Dragons shot 30 of 58 from the field overall, going 10 of 17 from 3-point range and 14 of 23 from the free-throw line. Hutchinson out-rebounded Cowley 48-42 –&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/bios/haidara_nafatoumata_7n3l">Nafatoumata Haidara</a>&nbsp;had a season-high 10 boards – and the Blue Dragons overcame a season-high-tying 22 turnovers.Martyna Kowalska had a game-high 18 points, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter to lead Cowley. She became the first Blue Dragon opponent with a double-double, garnering 11 rebounds. Baylee Fincher added 16 for the Tigers. Cowley's leading scorer, Seanna Boltz, was limited to two points on 1 of 10 shooting.Cowley shot a season-low 28.2 percent (20 of 71), going 5 of 27 from 3-point range and 16 of 25 from the free-throw line. The Tigers had 14 turnovers.The Blue Dragons are off Saturday and will play host to Dodge City in the opening of Jayhawk West play at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at the Sports Arena.GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons are now 27-23 all-time against Cowley, winning 13 of the last 14 meeting. Hutchinson is 7-11 in Arkansas City. … Hutchinson head coach John Ontjes is now tied with Cowley coach Todd Clark for fourth on the KJCCC coaching wins list with 381. … Ontjes used his sixth different starting line-up in eight games.

🏀 HutchCC WBB earn first road win in decisive fashion

For the fifth time in eight games this season, the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team will square off against an offense averaging better than 90 points per game.

Wednesday's KJCCC opponent, the No. 23 Cowley Tigers, know how to score, and then some.

The Tigers have the No. 1 offense in the Jayhawk Conference and the No. 6 scoring offense in the NJCAA at 102.1 points per game.

Tipoff for Wednesday's game at Scott Auditorium is 7:30 p.m.

Cowley (5-3, 5-1) has scored 100 or more points four times, including a staggering 143 points in a 143-104 win on Saturday against No. 16 Dodge City. Cowley hit a school-record 25 3-pointers and tied the single-game scoring records in that game.

The Blue Dragons (5-2, 4-2) have reeled off three-straight wins, doing so with an efficient offense and a much-improved defense.

In victories over Cloud County, Independence and Allen, Hutchinson is averaging only 77.3 points per game, but is shooting 52.2 percent from the field and has a 43.0-29.3 rebounding advantage per game. Defensively, the Dragons are allowing 63.7 points per game and 37.6 percent shooting.

The Tigers won a pair of games over the Blue Dragons last season, winning 84-83 in Arkansas City in January. Cowley then broke open a tight Region VI Tournament quarterfinal game with the Dragons in Dodge City, dominating the final 10 minutes for a 110-91 victory, ending Hutchinson's season.

Cowley has seven players returning from last season's team that earned an at-large bid for the NJCAA Tournament, which was ultimately canceled because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Joining the Tigers this season former Blue Dragon guard Clarence King.

Forward&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;continues to lead the Blue Dragons in scoring and rebounding at 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He has three double-doubles to his credit. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/kuath_majok_xrls">Majok Kuath</a>&nbsp;is averaging 17.2 points over his last five games.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationFor the fifth time in eight games this season, the Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team will square off against an offense averaging better than 90 points per game.<figure>
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 </figure>Wednesday's KJCCC opponent, the No. 23 Cowley Tigers, know how to score, and then some.The Tigers have the No. 1 offense in the Jayhawk Conference and the No. 6 scoring offense in the NJCAA at 102.1 points per game.Tipoff for Wednesday's game at Scott Auditorium is 7:30 p.m.Cowley (5-3, 5-1) has scored 100 or more points four times, including a staggering 143 points in a 143-104 win on Saturday against No. 16 Dodge City. Cowley hit a school-record 25 3-pointers and tied the single-game scoring records in that game.The Blue Dragons (5-2, 4-2) have reeled off three-straight wins, doing so with an efficient offense and a much-improved defense.In victories over Cloud County, Independence and Allen, Hutchinson is averaging only 77.3 points per game, but is shooting 52.2 percent from the field and has a 43.0-29.3 rebounding advantage per game. Defensively, the Dragons are allowing 63.7 points per game and 37.6 percent shooting.The Tigers won a pair of games over the Blue Dragons last season, winning 84-83 in Arkansas City in January. Cowley then broke open a tight Region VI Tournament quarterfinal game with the Dragons in Dodge City, dominating the final 10 minutes for a 110-91 victory, ending Hutchinson's season.Cowley has seven players returning from last season's team that earned an at-large bid for the NJCAA Tournament, which was ultimately canceled because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Joining the Tigers this season former Blue Dragon guard Clarence King.Forward&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/mayers_matt_jfk4">Matt Mayers</a>&nbsp;continues to lead the Blue Dragons in scoring and rebounding at 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He has three double-doubles to his credit. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/kuath_majok_xrls">Majok Kuath</a>&nbsp;is averaging 17.2 points over his last five games.

Surging Blue Dragon Men travel to high-powered Cowley

By STEVE CARPENTER -&nbsp;Hutchinson CC Sports Information

One of the best defenses in all of the Jayhawk Conference will take on one of the league's hottest offenses when the No. 24-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team travels to Arkansas City to play the Cowley Tigers at 5;30 p.m. Wednesday at White Auditorium.

Hutchinson brings the league's second-best scoring defense - also ranked No. 12 in the NJCAA - at 53.4 points per game allowed. The Blue Dragons are ranked third in both field-goal defense (32.0 percent) and 3-point defense (24.8 percent). The Dragons force an average of 24.5 turnovers per game.

Over its last three games, all wins, Cowley is averaging 94.6 points per game, shooting 52.9 percent overall and 38.9 percent from distance with 40 made 3-pointers over that stretch.

The Blue Dragons last time out defeated Allen 80-49 to move to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the Jayhawk West. The Dragons are looking for their first road victory of 2021, dropping road contests at Butler and Independence in each of the past two Wednesdays. Cold shooting and turnovers have plagued the Blue Dragons away from the Sports Arena. Hutchinson is averaging 57.0 points per game on 32.0 percent shooting and 20.5 turnovers per game.

Cowley has countered a three-game losing streak wits hits current three-game winning streak and is now 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the Jayhawk East. The Tigers have blitzed Northwest Tech, Colby and Dodge City by an average of 31.7 points per game.

By STEVE CARPENTER -&nbsp;Hutchinson CC Sports InformationOne of the best defenses in all of the Jayhawk Conference will take on one of the league's hottest offenses when the No. 24-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team travels to Arkansas City to play the Cowley Tigers at 5;30 p.m. Wednesday at White Auditorium.Hutchinson brings the league's second-best scoring defense - also ranked No. 12 in the NJCAA - at 53.4 points per game allowed. The Blue Dragons are ranked third in both field-goal defense (32.0 percent) and 3-point defense (24.8 percent). The Dragons force an average of 24.5 turnovers per game.Over its last three games, all wins, Cowley is averaging 94.6 points per game, shooting 52.9 percent overall and 38.9 percent from distance with 40 made 3-pointers over that stretch.The Blue Dragons last time out defeated Allen 80-49 to move to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the Jayhawk West. The Dragons are looking for their first road victory of 2021, dropping road contests at Butler and Independence in each of the past two Wednesdays. Cold shooting and turnovers have plagued the Blue Dragons away from the Sports Arena. Hutchinson is averaging 57.0 points per game on 32.0 percent shooting and 20.5 turnovers per game.Cowley has countered a three-game losing streak wits hits current three-game winning streak and is now 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the Jayhawk East. The Tigers have blitzed Northwest Tech, Colby and Dodge City by an average of 31.7 points per game.Seanna Boltz is the sixth-leading scorer in the KJCCC and is leading the Tigers at 16.0 points per game. Martyna Kowalski is 11th in the league in scoring at 14.8 points per game. She is sixth in rebounding at 8.4 boards per game.Hutchinson and Cowley met twice last season. The Tigers upset the Blue Dragons 72-70 last season at White Auditorium on a Shontrice Austin 27-foot buzzer-beating 3-pointer. The Dragons then defeated Cowley in the Region VI Tournament quarterfinals, a 69-48 victory.