Patty P. Clark, 81, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family and the loving staff of Good Samaritan Society on March 27,2025.

Patty was born on March 17, 1944, to Carroll and Ruth Browning in Hutchinson, KS. She married James “Jim” Clark Sr. on November 12, 1964, in Nelson, NE. She was a long-time resident of Hutchinson and graduated from Hutchinson High School and later on graduated from Sterling College to become a certified teacher. After graduating from Sterling, she taught for Hutchinson Public Schools until her retirement and later after moving to Rockaway Beach, MO. She continued teaching for the Forsyth School District in Mo. She was very passionate about teaching children.

Branson, MO was a special place for Jim and Patty. They found their little slice of Heaven on earth in Rockaway Beach, MO. They had a small place there and they would spend most of their weekends enjoying nature and of course a lot of shows, their favorite was the Foggy River Boys. They were happy to share this with just about everyone but especially with their Grandchildren, Michael, Ashley and Tiffany. They would take them to Branson and go see the Foggy River Boys shows, to the game room, sometimes even swimming in the creek. Later they moved a trailer from Hutchinson that Jim &amp; Patty had worked hard to get ready to take to the new and updated Trogland (Home). This would become their retirement home in 2001. They lived there for many great years until Jim passed away on September 11, 2012. Patty then moved back to Hutchinson to live with her son and his family until her health declined and she moved to Good Samaritan Society.

She is survived by her son, James Clark Jr. and wife Tammy; grandson, Michael Clark and wife Samantha and their children, Trevyr, Zandryah and Yasaliynah; granddaughter, Ashley Carson and husband Zach and their children, Danielle and Logan; granddaughter Tiffany Ramsey and husband Mike and their children, Derrick Spence, Teagyn Ramsey and Baby Ramsey who will be here in September; sister, Joyce Trent and husband Arvin and niece Gayle Miller and her son Jason Miller; first cousin, Skip Mills and his wife Jeanette and their children, Chris Mills and Jenny Mills Schissler.

Patty was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Clark Sr., mother, Ruth Simpson, father, Carroll Browning, stepfather, Harold Simpson; brother, Marvin Browning; niece, Pam Smith; nephews, Larry Trent and Doug Miller; great-niece, Nikki Miller and sister-in-law, Joann Hill.

Cremation has taken place per her request and a Memorial service will be taking place, April 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Kevin Guffy presiding at Crossroads Christian Church, 4310 North Monroe St. Hutchinson, KS. Hutchinson Funeral Chapel is overseeing the arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743605786455.jpeg" alt="Patty Clark&nbsp; 1944-2025" />
 <figcaption>Patty Clark&nbsp; 1944-2025</figcaption>
 </figure>Patty P. Clark, 81, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family and the loving staff of Good Samaritan Society on March 27,2025.Patty was born on March 17, 1944, to Carroll and Ruth Browning in Hutchinson, KS. She married James “Jim” Clark Sr. on November 12, 1964, in Nelson, NE. She was a long-time resident of Hutchinson and graduated from Hutchinson High School and later on graduated from Sterling College to become a certified teacher. After graduating from Sterling, she taught for Hutchinson Public Schools until her retirement and later after moving to Rockaway Beach, MO. She continued teaching for the Forsyth School District in Mo. She was very passionate about teaching children.Branson, MO was a special place for Jim and Patty. They found their little slice of Heaven on earth in Rockaway Beach, MO. They had a small place there and they would spend most of their weekends enjoying nature and of course a lot of shows, their favorite was the Foggy River Boys. They were happy to share this with just about everyone but especially with their Grandchildren, Michael, Ashley and Tiffany. They would take them to Branson and go see the Foggy River Boys shows, to the game room, sometimes even swimming in the creek. Later they moved a trailer from Hutchinson that Jim &amp; Patty had worked hard to get ready to take to the new and updated Trogland (Home). This would become their retirement home in 2001. They lived there for many great years until Jim passed away on September 11, 2012. Patty then moved back to Hutchinson to live with her son and his family until her health declined and she moved to Good Samaritan Society.She is survived by her son, James Clark Jr. and wife Tammy; grandson, Michael Clark and wife Samantha and their children, Trevyr, Zandryah and Yasaliynah; granddaughter, Ashley Carson and husband Zach and their children, Danielle and Logan; granddaughter Tiffany Ramsey and husband Mike and their children, Derrick Spence, Teagyn Ramsey and Baby Ramsey who will be here in September; sister, Joyce Trent and husband Arvin and niece Gayle Miller and her son Jason Miller; first cousin, Skip Mills and his wife Jeanette and their children, Chris Mills and Jenny Mills Schissler.Patty was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Clark Sr., mother, Ruth Simpson, father, Carroll Browning, stepfather, Harold Simpson; brother, Marvin Browning; niece, Pam Smith; nephews, Larry Trent and Doug Miller; great-niece, Nikki Miller and sister-in-law, Joann Hill.Cremation has taken place per her request and a Memorial service will be taking place, April 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Kevin Guffy presiding at Crossroads Christian Church, 4310 North Monroe St. Hutchinson, KS. Hutchinson Funeral Chapel is overseeing the arrangements.

Patty P. Clark  | 1944-2025 |

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743537473609.png" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>KJCCC
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COLBY, Kan. &ndash; Extending their winning streak to 14 straight games with another four wins last week, Hutchinson Community College has swept the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Division 1 Softball Player of the Week awards with Bailey Backhaus and Aubree Thomas picking up their second and third awards of the season.
Bailey Backhaus &ndash; Hutchinson (KJCCC Division 1 Softball Player of the Week) Blue Dragon leadoff hitter Bailey Backhaus hit .667 and posted a .667 on-base percentage in four wins last week. In a battle for first place with Barton, Backhaus was a combined 5 for 8 with four runs scored. For the week, Backhaus was 12 of 18 with two doubles, two triples, four RBI, and 12 runs scored. Backhaus was also a perfect four of four on the base paths in stolen base attempts.
Aubree Thomas - Hutchinson (KJCCC Division 1 Softball Pitcher of the Week) Blue Dragon freshman pitcher Aubree Thomas earned a pair of pitching victories to lead the first-place Blue Dragons to a 14-game winning streak. Thomas had eight total strikeouts over nine innings pitched while allowing only eight hits and two earned runs over the span.
Other Players Nominated: Chloe Enslinger - Barton Sofia Valenti &ndash; Colby Karen Galaviz &ndash; Dodge City Alyssa Morgan &ndash; Seward County
Other Pitchers Nominated: Alicia Goseland - Barton Chloe Odle - Butler Giovana Villalobos Carillo - Colby Shyann Clark &ndash; Dodge City
&nbsp;</div>

🥎 HutchCC sweeps KJCCC weekly honors

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743537384242.png" alt="Photo Courtesy KJCCC" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy KJCCC</figcaption>
 </figure><div>KJCCC
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COLBY, Kan. &ndash; A series victory for Cloud County Community College over Seward County and a series sweep for Hutchinson Community College over Allen saw both teams led by this week&rsquo;s Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division baseball Players of the Week Nolan Freund and Trenton Roehler. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Nolan Freund &ndash; Cloud County (KJCCC Baseball West Division Player of the Week) Cloud County sophomore infielder Nolan Freund hit .700 for the week, helping to lead the T-Birds to its third Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference series win of the season by taking three games against Seward County Community College. Freund hit over .800 at the plate in two different games against the Saints, ending the week with 14 hits, including five doubles and two home runs, while tallying 13 RBI. Freund had a .739 on-base percentage and a 1.250 slugging percentage. For the season, Freund leads the conference with 54 total hits and currently ranks third in the conference in batting average at .474.
Trenton Roehler &ndash; Hutchinson (KJCCC Baseball West Division Pitcher of the Week) Blue Dragon sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Trenton Roehler tossed a career-high 11 strikeouts in an 11-1 victory over Allen last Thursday at Hobart-Detter Field. Roehler allowed just two hits and one earned run over his five innings for his second win of the season and 10th of his career.
Other Players Nominated: Kyle Walker - Barton Cooper Rasmussen &ndash; Butler Isaiah Padilla &ndash; Colby Quinn Maher &ndash; Hutchinson Kyle Reese &ndash; Pratt Blaine Chancy &ndash; Seward County
Other Pitchers Nominated: Cole Linton &ndash; Cloud County</div>

⚾ HutchCC's Roehler named KJCCC West Player of the Week

Barbara Jean (Hughes) Clendening, 80, formerly of Hutchinson, died March 29, 2025, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler. &nbsp;She was born October 4, 1944, in Hutchinson, to Emmett W. and Sarah (Gibson) Hughes.

Barbara graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1962, and received her associates degree from Hutchinson Community Junior College. &nbsp;She worked at the Dillons Corporate Office, Hutchinson Floral, and sold Mary Kay. &nbsp;Barbara retired from Hutchinson Regional Medical Center as an administrative assistant, after 19.5 years of service. She enjoyed singing, being active in her church, playing golf and working on crafts, especially tole painting. Barbara attended First Church of God and then Union Valley Bible Church, both of Hutchinson.

Barbara is survived by: &nbsp;her son, Dar Holden (Kay); brother, Jack E. Hughes, all of Hutchinson; brother-in-law, Ted Crank of Tennessee; and two nephews and two nieces.

She was preceded in death by: &nbsp;her parents; brother, Michael Hughes and his wife, Lisa; and a sister, Jill Crank.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Tim Kraft officiating. &nbsp;Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. &nbsp;Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

<a href="https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0MzQ0NjU1NzM1NjQxNCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==">Click here to view Barbara's Funeral Service</a>&nbsp;

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Cancer Council of Reno County or Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS  67501.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743534040038.jpeg" alt="Barbara J Clendening 1944-2025" />
 <figcaption>Barbara J Clendening 1944-2025</figcaption>
 </figure>Barbara Jean (Hughes) Clendening, 80, formerly of Hutchinson, died March 29, 2025, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler. &nbsp;She was born October 4, 1944, in Hutchinson, to Emmett W. and Sarah (Gibson) Hughes.Barbara graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1962, and received her associates degree from Hutchinson Community Junior College. &nbsp;She worked at the Dillons Corporate Office, Hutchinson Floral, and sold Mary Kay. &nbsp;Barbara retired from Hutchinson Regional Medical Center as an administrative assistant, after 19.5 years of service. She enjoyed singing, being active in her church, playing golf and working on crafts, especially tole painting. Barbara attended First Church of God and then Union Valley Bible Church, both of Hutchinson.Barbara is survived by: &nbsp;her son, Dar Holden (Kay); brother, Jack E. Hughes, all of Hutchinson; brother-in-law, Ted Crank of Tennessee; and two nephews and two nieces.She was preceded in death by: &nbsp;her parents; brother, Michael Hughes and his wife, Lisa; and a sister, Jill Crank.Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Tim Kraft officiating. &nbsp;Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. &nbsp;Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.<a href="https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0MzQ0NjU1NzM1NjQxNCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==">Click here to view Barbara's Funeral Service</a>&nbsp;In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Cancer Council of Reno County or Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.&nbsp;

Barbara J. (Hughes) Clendening | 1944 - 2025 |

It has been 365 days since the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team won it's first national title in program history, an 88-80 win over Northwest Florida State in Casper, Wyo.

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Hutchinson CC Sports Information Article from April 1, 2024

CASPER, Wyoming – Hutchinson Community College women's basketball was indeed golden on Monday night.

Trailing by six points with 2:32 to play in the fourth quarter, the top-seeded Blue Dragons were able to force overtime and then dominate the extra session, outscoring defending national champion Northwest Florida State 19-11 in overtime and winning the program's first national championship with an 88-80 victory in the 2024 NJCAA Division I Women's Tournament championship game at the Ford Wyoming Center.

The Blue Dragons complete their 50th season with an undefeated 37-0 record – a school record for wins, longest winning streak (37) and best start to a season (37-0).

This was Hutchinson's fourth attempt to win a women's basketball national championship, coming up short in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The Blue Dragon won their second women's national championship (women's cross country in 2001) and 10th overall team national championship (Men's basketball – 1988, 1994, 2017; Men's Golf – 2021, 2022; Football – 2020-21; and men's track and field – 1954, 1959).

Freshman guard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/smith_kiki_x1vf">Kiki Smith</a>&nbsp;was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. She scored 23 points on Monday night to finish with a four-game scoring total of 68 points. Smith broke the freshman season scoring record and finished second in single-season scoring with 652 points.

Both freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/jackson_hailey_x66o">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/armstead_journey_w1mg">Journey Armstead</a>&nbsp;were named to the all-tournament team on Monday. Jackson had a postseason-high and team-high 25 points to lead the Blue Dragons. She hit three critical free throws with 0.7 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Jackson finished seventh on the freshman season scoring list with 478 points, including 65 points in the tournament.

Armstead had 11 points and three assists before fouling out with 5:09 to play in the fourth quarter.

Blue Dragon head coach John Ontjes was named the Coach of the Tournament

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/duffy_monae_og8s">Monae Duffy</a>&nbsp;had 10 points and 9 rebounds for the Blue Dragons.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/muggeridge_akaysha_rpaz">Akaysha Muggeridge</a>&nbsp;scored six of her eight points in overtime. Muggeridge added seven rebounds and four assists.

The Blue Dragons led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but Northwest Florida State rallied to take a 57-55 lead after three quarters and led 68-62 with 2:27 to play in regulation.

The Dragons rallied back, closing with a 7-1 run, getting three free throws from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/jackson_hailey_x66o">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;with 0.7 seconds to play to tie the game at 69-all. Trailing 69-66, Jackson was fouled with 0.7 seconds left in regulation. The freshman from Tulsa, Oklahoma, hit all three free throws to force overtime.

In overtime, Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions for a 77-71 lead and upped the lead to eight at 81-73 on a Muggeridge hoop with 1:18 to go. The Blue Dragons were 6 of 6 shooting from the floor and 7 of 10 from the foul line in overtime. Northwest Florida State was 5 of 12.

The Blue Dragons had to overcome the 30-point performance of Northwest Florida State's Destiney McPhaul, who was 10 of 20 shooting and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. Nevaeh Scott had 13 points and Celia Riviere had 10 points.

After shooting 52.2 percent in the first half, the Blue Dragons shot 49.2 percent for the game (30 of 61). The Blue Dragons were 3 of 16 from 3-point range and 25 of 33 from the free-throw line. The Dragons out-rebounded the Raiders 36-29, but committed an NJCAA-Tournament high 19 turnovers.

Northwest Florida State shot 51.7 percent for the game – just the 15th time in Ontjes' 578 games coached an opponent shot 50 percent or better. The Raiders were 1 of 8 from 3-point range and 17 of 23 from the free-throw line.

Both teams came out on fire – Northwest Florida State shot 63.6 percent and the Blue Dragons shot 53.8 percent – in an opening quarter that had three lead changes and four ties. The Dragons built a 6-3 lead on a Smith jumper with 7:56 to play in the first quarter. The Raiders answered with six unanswered to take a 9-6 lead after a McPhaul bucket at the 5:48 mark. The Dragons took an 11-9 lead after an Armstead transition basket with 3:34 to go. Smith's steal and layup bumped the lead to 15-11 with 2:28 to go. Northwest rallied to tie the game at 15-all, but Jackson hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key for an 18-15 Hutchinson lead after one quarter.

The Dragons opened a six-point lead when Armstead had a strong drive to the hoop for a 23-17 lead with 8:22 to play in the second quarter. The Dragons then went on a 10-2 run to build its first double-digit lead of 33-22 on a Jackson 15-footer with 4:57 to play. Smith hit a pull-up jumper with 1:51 left to build a 37-24 lead. The Dragons led 39-28 at halftime.

The Blue Dragons led 48-35 after a Jackson inside basket with 7:21 remaining in the third quarter. Turnovers started to become an issue. Seven Dragon miscued led to 14 Northwest points off turnovers as the Raiders outscored the Blue Dragons 22-10 over the final 7 minutes to take a 57-55 lead heading to the fourth quarter, closing the period on an 8-0 run.

Facing major foul trouble in the fourth quarter, the Blue Dragons trailed 68-62 with 2:37 to play in regulation. Jackson hit two free throws with 1:37 left and Smith had a steal and layup with 1:37 left to cut the deficit to 68-66. The Raiders had a chance to put the game away with 2.6 seconds left, but Riviere missed the second of two free throws and the Dragons corralled the rebound and called timeout to advance the ball. On the inbound, Jackson was fouled attempting a 3-pointer and she made all three free throws to give the Blue Dragons new life, tied at 69-all at the end of regulation.

Trading buckets on the first two possessions of overtime, Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions to build a 77-71 lead with 2:44 to go. After Northwest hit a 3-pointer to cut the Dragon lead to 82-78 with 42 seconds left,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/norris_kahlen_azmu">Kahlen Norris</a>&nbsp;had a strong take to the hoop to score for an 84-78 lead with 33 seconds left.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons are now 24-12 all-time in the NJCAA Tournament, 22-10 under head coach John Ontjes. … The Blue Dragons are now 3-0 all-time against Northwest Florida State, all three wins coming in the NJCAA Tournament. … The Blue Dragons have a 50-year record of 1,112-405, including 94-50 all-time in postseason play. … The Blue Dragons were 4-0 when trailing after three quarters this season. … This was Hutchinson's first overtime game of the season. … This was Hutchinson's second win this season over a Top-5 ranked opponent, also defeating No. 3 Butler in January.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743517518738.jpeg" alt="The Blue Dragon women win the 2024 national championship with an 88-80 overtime victory over Northwest Florida State on Monday night in Casper, WY. (FILE Photo)" />
 <figcaption>The Blue Dragon women win the 2024 national championship with an 88-80 overtime victory over Northwest Florida State on Monday night in Casper, WY. (FILE Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>It has been 365 days since the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team won it's first national title in program history, an 88-80 win over Northwest Florida State in Casper, Wyo.-----------------------------------------------------------------------Hutchinson CC Sports Information Article from April 1, 2024CASPER, Wyoming – Hutchinson Community College women's basketball was indeed golden on Monday night.Trailing by six points with 2:32 to play in the fourth quarter, the top-seeded Blue Dragons were able to force overtime and then dominate the extra session, outscoring defending national champion Northwest Florida State 19-11 in overtime and winning the program's first national championship with an 88-80 victory in the 2024 NJCAA Division I Women's Tournament championship game at the Ford Wyoming Center.The Blue Dragons complete their 50th season with an undefeated 37-0 record – a school record for wins, longest winning streak (37) and best start to a season (37-0).This was Hutchinson's fourth attempt to win a women's basketball national championship, coming up short in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The Blue Dragon won their second women's national championship (women's cross country in 2001) and 10th overall team national championship (Men's basketball – 1988, 1994, 2017; Men's Golf – 2021, 2022; Football – 2020-21; and men's track and field – 1954, 1959).Freshman guard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/smith_kiki_x1vf">Kiki Smith</a>&nbsp;was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. She scored 23 points on Monday night to finish with a four-game scoring total of 68 points. Smith broke the freshman season scoring record and finished second in single-season scoring with 652 points.Both freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/jackson_hailey_x66o">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/armstead_journey_w1mg">Journey Armstead</a>&nbsp;were named to the all-tournament team on Monday. Jackson had a postseason-high and team-high 25 points to lead the Blue Dragons. She hit three critical free throws with 0.7 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Jackson finished seventh on the freshman season scoring list with 478 points, including 65 points in the tournament.Armstead had 11 points and three assists before fouling out with 5:09 to play in the fourth quarter.Blue Dragon head coach John Ontjes was named the Coach of the Tournament<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/duffy_monae_og8s">Monae Duffy</a>&nbsp;had 10 points and 9 rebounds for the Blue Dragons.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/muggeridge_akaysha_rpaz">Akaysha Muggeridge</a>&nbsp;scored six of her eight points in overtime. Muggeridge added seven rebounds and four assists.The Blue Dragons led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but Northwest Florida State rallied to take a 57-55 lead after three quarters and led 68-62 with 2:27 to play in regulation.The Dragons rallied back, closing with a 7-1 run, getting three free throws from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/jackson_hailey_x66o">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;with 0.7 seconds to play to tie the game at 69-all. Trailing 69-66, Jackson was fouled with 0.7 seconds left in regulation. The freshman from Tulsa, Oklahoma, hit all three free throws to force overtime.In overtime, Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions for a 77-71 lead and upped the lead to eight at 81-73 on a Muggeridge hoop with 1:18 to go. The Blue Dragons were 6 of 6 shooting from the floor and 7 of 10 from the foul line in overtime. Northwest Florida State was 5 of 12.The Blue Dragons had to overcome the 30-point performance of Northwest Florida State's Destiney McPhaul, who was 10 of 20 shooting and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. Nevaeh Scott had 13 points and Celia Riviere had 10 points.After shooting 52.2 percent in the first half, the Blue Dragons shot 49.2 percent for the game (30 of 61). The Blue Dragons were 3 of 16 from 3-point range and 25 of 33 from the free-throw line. The Dragons out-rebounded the Raiders 36-29, but committed an NJCAA-Tournament high 19 turnovers.Northwest Florida State shot 51.7 percent for the game – just the 15th time in Ontjes' 578 games coached an opponent shot 50 percent or better. The Raiders were 1 of 8 from 3-point range and 17 of 23 from the free-throw line.Both teams came out on fire – Northwest Florida State shot 63.6 percent and the Blue Dragons shot 53.8 percent – in an opening quarter that had three lead changes and four ties. The Dragons built a 6-3 lead on a Smith jumper with 7:56 to play in the first quarter. The Raiders answered with six unanswered to take a 9-6 lead after a McPhaul bucket at the 5:48 mark. The Dragons took an 11-9 lead after an Armstead transition basket with 3:34 to go. Smith's steal and layup bumped the lead to 15-11 with 2:28 to go. Northwest rallied to tie the game at 15-all, but Jackson hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key for an 18-15 Hutchinson lead after one quarter.The Dragons opened a six-point lead when Armstead had a strong drive to the hoop for a 23-17 lead with 8:22 to play in the second quarter. The Dragons then went on a 10-2 run to build its first double-digit lead of 33-22 on a Jackson 15-footer with 4:57 to play. Smith hit a pull-up jumper with 1:51 left to build a 37-24 lead. The Dragons led 39-28 at halftime.The Blue Dragons led 48-35 after a Jackson inside basket with 7:21 remaining in the third quarter. Turnovers started to become an issue. Seven Dragon miscued led to 14 Northwest points off turnovers as the Raiders outscored the Blue Dragons 22-10 over the final 7 minutes to take a 57-55 lead heading to the fourth quarter, closing the period on an 8-0 run.Facing major foul trouble in the fourth quarter, the Blue Dragons trailed 68-62 with 2:37 to play in regulation. Jackson hit two free throws with 1:37 left and Smith had a steal and layup with 1:37 left to cut the deficit to 68-66. The Raiders had a chance to put the game away with 2.6 seconds left, but Riviere missed the second of two free throws and the Dragons corralled the rebound and called timeout to advance the ball. On the inbound, Jackson was fouled attempting a 3-pointer and she made all three free throws to give the Blue Dragons new life, tied at 69-all at the end of regulation.Trading buckets on the first two possessions of overtime, Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions to build a 77-71 lead with 2:44 to go. After Northwest hit a 3-pointer to cut the Dragon lead to 82-78 with 42 seconds left,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/norris_kahlen_azmu">Kahlen Norris</a>&nbsp;had a strong take to the hoop to score for an 84-78 lead with 33 seconds left.GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons are now 24-12 all-time in the NJCAA Tournament, 22-10 under head coach John Ontjes. … The Blue Dragons are now 3-0 all-time against Northwest Florida State, all three wins coming in the NJCAA Tournament. … The Blue Dragons have a 50-year record of 1,112-405, including 94-50 all-time in postseason play. … The Blue Dragons were 4-0 when trailing after three quarters this season. … This was Hutchinson's first overtime game of the season. … This was Hutchinson's second win this season over a Top-5 ranked opponent, also defeating No. 3 Butler in January.

🏀 This Date in Basketball - HutchCC women win first national title

The Hutchinson Community College softball team is receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Top 25 poll released on Monday afternoon.

The Blue Dragons are 23-5 overall, 17-1 in Jayhawk Conference play. HutchCC maintains a two-game lead on Barton in the conference standings beginning the month of April.

Hutchinson will host Fort Hays Tech Northwest (0-24, 0-16) on Wednesday at Fun Valley with the doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

The Blue Dragons will travel to El Dorado on Friday for a doubleheader against No. 17 Butler (23-5, 12-4) beginning at 1 p.m.

Hutch has 16 games remaining in the regular season, but only four of them will be played at Fun Valley, the other 12 will all be on the road.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711745558543.png" alt="Photo Courtesy NJCAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy NJCAA</figcaption>
 </figure>The Hutchinson Community College softball team is receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Top 25 poll released on Monday afternoon.The Blue Dragons are 23-5 overall, 17-1 in Jayhawk Conference play. HutchCC maintains a two-game lead on Barton in the conference standings beginning the month of April.Hutchinson will host Fort Hays Tech Northwest (0-24, 0-16) on Wednesday at Fun Valley with the doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.The Blue Dragons will travel to El Dorado on Friday for a doubleheader against No. 17 Butler (23-5, 12-4) beginning at 1 p.m.Hutch has 16 games remaining in the regular season, but only four of them will be played at Fun Valley, the other 12 will all be on the road.&nbsp;

🥎 Jayhawk Conference leader HutchCC receiving votes in NJCAA Top 25

GREAT BEND, Kan.&nbsp;— The Central Kansas High School All-Star Basketball Classic took place Sunday at Barton Community College, showcasing senior basketball standouts from across central and western Kansas.

Two Hutchinson High School players, Kaia Smith and Grace Posch, competed for the South team in the girls’ game. Buhler’s&nbsp;Natalya Krafels also played in the game and was the game’s Most Valuable Player.&nbsp;

On the boys’ side, Haven High School’s Nash Wray and Dalton Bontrager represented the West team, which won a high-scoring matchup, 123-120. Bontrager finished with 10 points, while Wray added seven. The game’s leading scorer was Ty Romero of Elyria Christian, who tallied 31 points.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743435096613.jpeg" alt="Hutch Post Photo/John Brennan" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Post Photo/John Brennan</figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND, Kan.&nbsp;— The Central Kansas High School All-Star Basketball Classic took place Sunday at Barton Community College, showcasing senior basketball standouts from across central and western Kansas.Two Hutchinson High School players, Kaia Smith and Grace Posch, competed for the South team in the girls’ game. Buhler’s&nbsp;Natalya Krafels also played in the game and was the game’s Most Valuable Player.&nbsp;On the boys’ side, Haven High School’s Nash Wray and Dalton Bontrager represented the West team, which won a high-scoring matchup, 123-120. Bontrager finished with 10 points, while Wray added seven. The game’s leading scorer was Ty Romero of Elyria Christian, who tallied 31 points.

🏀 Local student-athletes participate in All-Star Game Sunday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743427061313.jpeg" alt="Dillon Lecture Series " />
 <figcaption>Dillon Lecture Series </figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Denny Stoecklein, Hutchinson Community College" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=49xgc-1868ba7-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 BW Morning Show Interview: Denny Stoecklein, Hutchinson Community College 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - You could sense that the tank was running on empty mid-way through the second half of the NJCAA Championship game Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena. Bot that didn't take away from a very successful season and run in Hutchinson for the young, Cowboy team, that seemed to have a special purpose.

The Connors State warmups read “This one’s for Momma Muse” and that mantra was the rallying cry for three months.

Connors became the Cardiac Cowboys at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championships this past week but saw the ultimate dream escape in the title game with a 69-61 loss to Trinity Valley,Texas, Community College on Saturday in Hutchinson, Kansas. But what a run by the Cowboys.

Fueled by the unexpected December death of Connie Muse, wife of head coach Bill Muse, mother to assistant coach Bill Muse Jr. and the mother hen of Connors basketball for 33 years, this team put their grieving coaches on their shoulders. This was a team that featured 11 new players with no returners but found a higher purpose to come together and breeze through the conference and Region 2 tournament to give the elder Muse his 17th trip to the JUCO nationals.

Despite their 25-3 regular season record, the Cowboys were never ranked in the top 25 during the season and drew the 17th seed in the tournament. The first game was against 16th seeded John A Logan (IL) College. And this is where the fun begins.

The Cowboys trailed late in the game but went on a 19-5 run over the last six minutes and still trailed by 10 with 5:24 to play. Freshman Jermiah Johnson had three steals, five free throws and a tip-in in the final three minutes and DJ Dormu, who earned the Bud Obee Small Player of the Tournament Award, hit four charities in the last five seconds to seal an 80-75 win. Dormu had 25 points and big man Ed Daniels, who along with Dormu was named to the All-Tournament Team, recorded his first of five double doubles with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

The next game was against top-seeded and number one ranked Snow (UT) College and will be remembered for Dormu’s Immaculate Connection. The Cowboys started slow, but grabbed the lead at halftime and led most of the second half until Snow managed the first of four ties and seven lead changes in the final eight minutes. With the final tie at 60-all, the Badgers Mark Brown hit a pair of free throws with five seconds left for what looked like would be a Snow win. But Dormu got the ball just across mid-court and launched a 30-foot prayer at the buzzer that found nothing but net, and the Cowboys again pumped up the blood pressure with a 63-62 win. The Washington D.C. prep school product finished with 22 points and five assists while Daniel had 13 points and 18 rebounds.

The quarterfinal game against eighth seeded Daytona (Fl) State again saw Connors come from behind with a 14-0 run over the last three-and-a half minutes capped by a game-tying 3-pointer by Dormu with :38 left. Daniel hit the game-winning free throw with seven seconds left and grabbed a rebound off a missed charity to secure a 66-65 victory. The Cardiac Cowboys rally again.

After a day off, the Cowboys played South Plains, Texas, College in the semifinals. This looked like it would be an easier game as Connors played well and the Texans struggled from the field with the Cowboys owning a 40-28 lead at the half. But South Plains took advantage of a 27-7 gap in second chance points to stay close and eventually made it 67-63 with 4:52 to play. Connors stretched it back out to 11 on a trey by Dormu with 3:26 left and the Texans would get no closer than five the rest of the way as Connors won 80-74.

Playing their fifth game of the tournament compared to just four for Trinity Valley, the Cowboys just ran out of gas in the second half scoring just 29 points as the seventh-seeded Cardinals played tough defense against Dormu limiting him to 16 points on 7-of-23 shooting while Daniel had 12 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late.

As comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to complain “I just get no respect”, the Connors State Cowboys could make the same claim for the second year in a row with no ranking and low seeding. But this time they had a mission and surely some divine help from Momma Muse to gain that respect and send Papa Muse to his first ever championship game in what had to be the most challenging and maybe rewarding season of his long coaching career.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743501721706.jpeg" alt="Connors State vs Trinity Valley battle for NJCAA Title" />
 <figcaption>Connors State vs Trinity Valley battle for NJCAA Title</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. - You could sense that the tank was running on empty mid-way through the second half of the NJCAA Championship game Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena. Bot that didn't take away from a very successful season and run in Hutchinson for the young, Cowboy team, that seemed to have a special purpose.The Connors State warmups read “This one’s for Momma Muse” and that mantra was the rallying cry for three months.Connors became the Cardiac Cowboys at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championships this past week but saw the ultimate dream escape in the title game with a 69-61 loss to Trinity Valley,Texas, Community College on Saturday in Hutchinson, Kansas. But what a run by the Cowboys.Fueled by the unexpected December death of Connie Muse, wife of head coach Bill Muse, mother to assistant coach Bill Muse Jr. and the mother hen of Connors basketball for 33 years, this team put their grieving coaches on their shoulders. This was a team that featured 11 new players with no returners but found a higher purpose to come together and breeze through the conference and Region 2 tournament to give the elder Muse his 17th trip to the JUCO nationals.Despite their 25-3 regular season record, the Cowboys were never ranked in the top 25 during the season and drew the 17th seed in the tournament. The first game was against 16th seeded John A Logan (IL) College. And this is where the fun begins.The Cowboys trailed late in the game but went on a 19-5 run over the last six minutes and still trailed by 10 with 5:24 to play. Freshman Jermiah Johnson had three steals, five free throws and a tip-in in the final three minutes and DJ Dormu, who earned the Bud Obee Small Player of the Tournament Award, hit four charities in the last five seconds to seal an 80-75 win. Dormu had 25 points and big man Ed Daniels, who along with Dormu was named to the All-Tournament Team, recorded his first of five double doubles with 21 points and 15 rebounds.The next game was against top-seeded and number one ranked Snow (UT) College and will be remembered for Dormu’s Immaculate Connection. The Cowboys started slow, but grabbed the lead at halftime and led most of the second half until Snow managed the first of four ties and seven lead changes in the final eight minutes. With the final tie at 60-all, the Badgers Mark Brown hit a pair of free throws with five seconds left for what looked like would be a Snow win. But Dormu got the ball just across mid-court and launched a 30-foot prayer at the buzzer that found nothing but net, and the Cowboys again pumped up the blood pressure with a 63-62 win. The Washington D.C. prep school product finished with 22 points and five assists while Daniel had 13 points and 18 rebounds.The quarterfinal game against eighth seeded Daytona (Fl) State again saw Connors come from behind with a 14-0 run over the last three-and-a half minutes capped by a game-tying 3-pointer by Dormu with :38 left. Daniel hit the game-winning free throw with seven seconds left and grabbed a rebound off a missed charity to secure a 66-65 victory. The Cardiac Cowboys rally again.After a day off, the Cowboys played South Plains, Texas, College in the semifinals. This looked like it would be an easier game as Connors played well and the Texans struggled from the field with the Cowboys owning a 40-28 lead at the half. But South Plains took advantage of a 27-7 gap in second chance points to stay close and eventually made it 67-63 with 4:52 to play. Connors stretched it back out to 11 on a trey by Dormu with 3:26 left and the Texans would get no closer than five the rest of the way as Connors won 80-74.Playing their fifth game of the tournament compared to just four for Trinity Valley, the Cowboys just ran out of gas in the second half scoring just 29 points as the seventh-seeded Cardinals played tough defense against Dormu limiting him to 16 points on 7-of-23 shooting while Daniel had 12 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late.As comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to complain “I just get no respect”, the Connors State Cowboys could make the same claim for the second year in a row with no ranking and low seeding. But this time they had a mission and surely some divine help from Momma Muse to gain that respect and send Papa Muse to his first ever championship game in what had to be the most challenging and maybe rewarding season of his long coaching career.

🏀 Connors State just ran out of gas in NJCAA title game, but what a run it was

Kenneth Dale Froese was born May 31, 1941, at Hutchinson, Kansas, the first of three children born to Pete and Hilda Martens Froese. He had a strong relationship with his Dad, and spent a lot of time at his Dad’s side in his farm shop, learning not only how to weld and fix things, but also Dad’s philosophy. Ken and his Dad conversed in low German . . .even thought in German! It’s not surprising then, that when Ken started school at Sparta school east of Inman he could speak only low German. What Ken’s Dad taught him was far more valuable than any material thing Ken could have received. Dad taught him tolerance, patience . . . and when faced with a problem, to take a step back to get a broader perspective on the situation. He gave Ken the opportunity to earn what he wanted, rather than to give it to him outright. Ken could raise a bucket calf, and pay for the calf and the feed when the calf was sold. Already a budding entrepreneur, he built his own motorized bicycle when he was barely a teenager. To get the horse he wanted, Ken boarded and broke horses for the neighbors.

When he was a freshman and sophomore in high school, Ken was a shepherd, raising several dozen sheep. Using this money, and getting a loan from the bank to buy his first combine, Ken headed up a wheat harvesting crew together with Bob Ediger, the summer after his sophomore year in high school, hiring some of his friends and classmates to drive the trucks. After he graduated from Inman High School in 1959, Ken built his own forage harvester, just as his Dad had done almost 20 years earlier, and went into the ensilage cutting business. Taking the lead from his Dad, they were soon joined by Ken’s brother Don, and brother-in-law Jim Krehbiel. Under Ken’s leadership, this business grew to 6 silage cutters, 18 trucks, and a crew of 26.

In 1962, Ken married Judy Penner at Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church in Inman. He supported her dream of going to college, both financially and by pitching in with domestic duties and willingly sharing the care of baby Sherri.

In 1967, Ken stepped in to help his uncle Eddie Froese operate the Rhodes frozen bread plant in Inman, after the death of Eddie’s son/Ken’s cousin. The dough plant was soon running three shifts day and night, providing employment for up to 34 area residents, for many years. Ken lived only a block or so away from the dough plant, and often he would be called to the plant at night to take care of a problem.

In 1976, Ken and his partners, Milferd and V Lee Penner, started Inman Irrigation, Inc., bringing the first pivot irrigation to Central Kansas. Gerry Friesen traded his carpenter’s hammer for a wrench and winch, erecting Valley circle sprinklers for Ken’s company. Ken became the sole owner of Inman Irrigation in 1980. When Milferd left to pursue his dream of being a writer and photographer. V Lee stayed on as office manager; her congenial personality served to oil the gears of the business, smoothing the rough places and endearing her to co-workers and customers alike.

Ken built a team to run the irrigation business; every one who worked there knew exactly what needed to be done, knew that the customers depended on him or her to do their job. Ken rarely told anyone what to do; he just discussed the situation with them, and then it was easy for them to see what needed to be done. As each person earned Ken’s trust, he delegated more decision-making to them. Ken depended heavily on Jim Lowe, who was an expert on Valley pivots and readily shared his knowledge; his easy-going personality always kept things on an even keel. The employees at Inman Irrigation could handle the day-to-day business very well, and they often encouraged Ken to take some time off, especially in the summer when they knew he loved to be at the lake. But they depended on Ken for giving the company direction, for that over-all view that he had . . . the big picture.

Nothing could surpass the loyalty that Ken felt for his employees. He believed that achieving the company’s goals was a way for each of them (himself included) to achieve their personal goals. Ken was genuinely interested in the lives of his employees, as they can give testimony. Many can quote his one-line mottos and sayings, such as the seven Ps: “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance”. . . or “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”. He had the big picture in his mind, always able to see beyond the details and looking far ahead of most people. Sometimes after months and years of planning and work, some deal or project would fall into place, and Ken would say to Judy, “We got lucky again!” or more often in low German, “Et haht allvade yegleckt!” They would chuckle, knowing that it wasn’t luck at all!

Very few people realize that Ken was also an inventor. Combining his unique vision with what

he learned in his Dad’s farm shop, he enjoyed designing a tool or piece of equipment to fill a specific need. He would build a prototype, and make improvements until it worked just the way he intended. Sometimes the end result was just something he used in his business, but sometimes he found a way to put it into production . . . like the sickle guards he built and sold for swathers back in the 1960s. Several items he invented were sold in the turf division of Inman Irrigation: an aerator, a grass seeder, and the Dickens Panbuster which Ken designed together with Loren Dick.

Ken and Judy have always enjoyed water recreation; they even owned a little wooden motor boat the first year of their marriage, launching it in the muddy water of Lake Inman and the clear blue water of Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks. A few years later, they bought a cabin at Lake Kanopolis – one of the first cinder block cabins built after the completion of the dam in 1954? Friends were always welcome at the cabin, and many times there were wall-to-wall beds and sleeping bags. All the neighbors and everybody’s relatives were invited to the annual hog roasts . . . and the October wiener roasts down by the lake!

On Labor Day 1979, Ken and Judy and their friends had the last big party in that cabin. The next weekend their friends came back to move everything out of the cabin . . . and it was dozed down. By spring 1980, a new cabin stood in its place. This cabin at Lake Kanopolis and his many friends at Yankee Run were a source of great pleasure for Ken. Ken said he felt closer to God there than anywhere else on earth. When flood waters threatened the cabin in 1993, Ken’s friends, employees, and neighbors filled umpteen sandbags and barricaded the walk-out basement from the flood. Memories like that are worth more than money. Ken considered his greatest wealth to be his many friends.

Ken survived a heart attack at age 44, and triple by-pass heart surgery seven years later. Ordered by his cardiologist to take some time off from work, Ken was able rest his body, but not his mind. While recuperating, he designed a two-slip boat dock to be built from scrapped irrigation pipe. When the Corp of Engineers required stamped architectural blueprints in order to approve the dock, one of Ken’s customers who is an architect put Ken’s plan on paper and stamped it. Loren Dick did the welding to make that dock a reality. One of Ken’s proudest moments was when that dock was slipped into the waters of Lake Kanopolis just three months after his heart surgery in 1993.

Ken always had time to listen, to give counsel when asked, or share his views. He never sought recognition or reward for what he did for others. . . he would rather work quietly behind the scenes. His reward was the satisfaction of seeing a smile on the faces of those he helped to achieve their goal. There were many who sought his counsel: from the employee who asked him to hold his personal checkbook so that he would not overdraw his account. . . or the sick employee who called Ken to take him to the doctor in Wichita in the middle of the night . . .or the sub-contractor who got a break because of the business that Ken sent his way. . . or the many customers who looked to Ken as a consultant for their farming business. . . or the bankers who benefited from his perspective. Ken was one of the early investors in the Inman Industrial

organization, and a member of the Inman Chamber of Commerce. Ken was the recipient of many awards from Valmont for excellence in the management of his business; he was a former member of the Valley Dealer Council.

Ken believed in encouraging someone who was doing something right, however small that effort might be. His pat on the back usually brought renewed vigor to the effort, resulting in a greater achievement. Ken did not have much use for (quote) important positions, or titles. His goal was simply to be a friend, someone who cared about other people. His highest compliment for someone was “He is a Good Person”.

If there was one title that Ken did enjoy, it was “Grandpa”. His two grandchildren, Christopher and Lindsey (Drake), were his pride and joy. If there was anything that could tear him away from work, it was those two. Ken often planned what he would teach Chris or Lindsey at their next meeting. He enjoyed them as much as any grandpa could, and wanted more than anything to impart his philosophy and attitude about life to them. He once said, “When you do something, you do it because of who you are, not because somebody makes you do it, or because of who the other person is.”

Well, Ken. . . we know who we are. . . we are better for having known you. You were that “Good Person”!

Godspeed! We’ll see you on the other side!

Ken is survived by his wife, Judy Froese, McPherson, KS; brother, Don (Dianne) Froese, Inman KS, brother-in-law Jim Krehbiel, Newton KS, daughter Sherri Evans, Camp Verde AZ; grandchildren Chris (Samantha) Evans, Ozark MO, Drake (James) Loughead, Albuquerque NM, and Mae Manuel, Springfield MO; great grandchildren Kara and Aria Evans, Ozark MO. Ken was preceded in death by his sister Rosanne Krehbiel, and his parents.

Services are on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 with a private memorial service and burial, followed by lunch at noon and a Community Celebration of Life at the Inman Community Center.

Ken won’t be able to enjoy flowers at the funeral, there will plenty of flowers where he is going. So in lieu of sending flowers to the funeral home, it would please us if you would send flowers to someone that you love so they can enjoy them here and now, in Ken’s memory. Memorial gifts may be made to the Inman Senior Center, in care of Inman Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743301737978.jpeg" alt="Kenneth Dale Froese&nbsp; 1941-2025" />
 <figcaption>Kenneth Dale Froese&nbsp; 1941-2025</figcaption>
 </figure>Kenneth Dale Froese was born May 31, 1941, at Hutchinson, Kansas, the first of three children born to Pete and Hilda Martens Froese. He had a strong relationship with his Dad, and spent a lot of time at his Dad’s side in his farm shop, learning not only how to weld and fix things, but also Dad’s philosophy. Ken and his Dad conversed in low German . . .even thought in German! It’s not surprising then, that when Ken started school at Sparta school east of Inman he could speak only low German. What Ken’s Dad taught him was far more valuable than any material thing Ken could have received. Dad taught him tolerance, patience . . . and when faced with a problem, to take a step back to get a broader perspective on the situation. He gave Ken the opportunity to earn what he wanted, rather than to give it to him outright. Ken could raise a bucket calf, and pay for the calf and the feed when the calf was sold. Already a budding entrepreneur, he built his own motorized bicycle when he was barely a teenager. To get the horse he wanted, Ken boarded and broke horses for the neighbors.When he was a freshman and sophomore in high school, Ken was a shepherd, raising several dozen sheep. Using this money, and getting a loan from the bank to buy his first combine, Ken headed up a wheat harvesting crew together with Bob Ediger, the summer after his sophomore year in high school, hiring some of his friends and classmates to drive the trucks. After he graduated from Inman High School in 1959, Ken built his own forage harvester, just as his Dad had done almost 20 years earlier, and went into the ensilage cutting business. Taking the lead from his Dad, they were soon joined by Ken’s brother Don, and brother-in-law Jim Krehbiel. Under Ken’s leadership, this business grew to 6 silage cutters, 18 trucks, and a crew of 26.In 1962, Ken married Judy Penner at Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church in Inman. He supported her dream of going to college, both financially and by pitching in with domestic duties and willingly sharing the care of baby Sherri.In 1967, Ken stepped in to help his uncle Eddie Froese operate the Rhodes frozen bread plant in Inman, after the death of Eddie’s son/Ken’s cousin. The dough plant was soon running three shifts day and night, providing employment for up to 34 area residents, for many years. Ken lived only a block or so away from the dough plant, and often he would be called to the plant at night to take care of a problem.In 1976, Ken and his partners, Milferd and V Lee Penner, started Inman Irrigation, Inc., bringing the first pivot irrigation to Central Kansas. Gerry Friesen traded his carpenter’s hammer for a wrench and winch, erecting Valley circle sprinklers for Ken’s company. Ken became the sole owner of Inman Irrigation in 1980. When Milferd left to pursue his dream of being a writer and photographer. V Lee stayed on as office manager; her congenial personality served to oil the gears of the business, smoothing the rough places and endearing her to co-workers and customers alike.Ken built a team to run the irrigation business; every one who worked there knew exactly what needed to be done, knew that the customers depended on him or her to do their job. Ken rarely told anyone what to do; he just discussed the situation with them, and then it was easy for them to see what needed to be done. As each person earned Ken’s trust, he delegated more decision-making to them. Ken depended heavily on Jim Lowe, who was an expert on Valley pivots and readily shared his knowledge; his easy-going personality always kept things on an even keel. The employees at Inman Irrigation could handle the day-to-day business very well, and they often encouraged Ken to take some time off, especially in the summer when they knew he loved to be at the lake. But they depended on Ken for giving the company direction, for that over-all view that he had . . . the big picture.Nothing could surpass the loyalty that Ken felt for his employees. He believed that achieving the company’s goals was a way for each of them (himself included) to achieve their personal goals. Ken was genuinely interested in the lives of his employees, as they can give testimony. Many can quote his one-line mottos and sayings, such as the seven Ps: “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance”. . . or “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”. He had the big picture in his mind, always able to see beyond the details and looking far ahead of most people. Sometimes after months and years of planning and work, some deal or project would fall into place, and Ken would say to Judy, “We got lucky again!” or more often in low German, “Et haht allvade yegleckt!” They would chuckle, knowing that it wasn’t luck at all!Very few people realize that Ken was also an inventor. Combining his unique vision with whathe learned in his Dad’s farm shop, he enjoyed designing a tool or piece of equipment to fill a specific need. He would build a prototype, and make improvements until it worked just the way he intended. Sometimes the end result was just something he used in his business, but sometimes he found a way to put it into production . . . like the sickle guards he built and sold for swathers back in the 1960s. Several items he invented were sold in the turf division of Inman Irrigation: an aerator, a grass seeder, and the Dickens Panbuster which Ken designed together with Loren Dick.Ken and Judy have always enjoyed water recreation; they even owned a little wooden motor boat the first year of their marriage, launching it in the muddy water of Lake Inman and the clear blue water of Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks. A few years later, they bought a cabin at Lake Kanopolis – one of the first cinder block cabins built after the completion of the dam in 1954? Friends were always welcome at the cabin, and many times there were wall-to-wall beds and sleeping bags. All the neighbors and everybody’s relatives were invited to the annual hog roasts . . . and the October wiener roasts down by the lake!On Labor Day 1979, Ken and Judy and their friends had the last big party in that cabin. The next weekend their friends came back to move everything out of the cabin . . . and it was dozed down. By spring 1980, a new cabin stood in its place. This cabin at Lake Kanopolis and his many friends at Yankee Run were a source of great pleasure for Ken. Ken said he felt closer to God there than anywhere else on earth. When flood waters threatened the cabin in 1993, Ken’s friends, employees, and neighbors filled umpteen sandbags and barricaded the walk-out basement from the flood. Memories like that are worth more than money. Ken considered his greatest wealth to be his many friends.Ken survived a heart attack at age 44, and triple by-pass heart surgery seven years later. Ordered by his cardiologist to take some time off from work, Ken was able rest his body, but not his mind. While recuperating, he designed a two-slip boat dock to be built from scrapped irrigation pipe. When the Corp of Engineers required stamped architectural blueprints in order to approve the dock, one of Ken’s customers who is an architect put Ken’s plan on paper and stamped it. Loren Dick did the welding to make that dock a reality. One of Ken’s proudest moments was when that dock was slipped into the waters of Lake Kanopolis just three months after his heart surgery in 1993.Ken always had time to listen, to give counsel when asked, or share his views. He never sought recognition or reward for what he did for others. . . he would rather work quietly behind the scenes. His reward was the satisfaction of seeing a smile on the faces of those he helped to achieve their goal. There were many who sought his counsel: from the employee who asked him to hold his personal checkbook so that he would not overdraw his account. . . or the sick employee who called Ken to take him to the doctor in Wichita in the middle of the night . . .or the sub-contractor who got a break because of the business that Ken sent his way. . . or the many customers who looked to Ken as a consultant for their farming business. . . or the bankers who benefited from his perspective. Ken was one of the early investors in the Inman Industrialorganization, and a member of the Inman Chamber of Commerce. Ken was the recipient of many awards from Valmont for excellence in the management of his business; he was a former member of the Valley Dealer Council.Ken believed in encouraging someone who was doing something right, however small that effort might be. His pat on the back usually brought renewed vigor to the effort, resulting in a greater achievement. Ken did not have much use for (quote) important positions, or titles. His goal was simply to be a friend, someone who cared about other people. His highest compliment for someone was “He is a Good Person”.If there was one title that Ken did enjoy, it was “Grandpa”. His two grandchildren, Christopher and Lindsey (Drake), were his pride and joy. If there was anything that could tear him away from work, it was those two. Ken often planned what he would teach Chris or Lindsey at their next meeting. He enjoyed them as much as any grandpa could, and wanted more than anything to impart his philosophy and attitude about life to them. He once said, “When you do something, you do it because of who you are, not because somebody makes you do it, or because of who the other person is.”Well, Ken. . . we know who we are. . . we are better for having known you. You were that “Good Person”!Godspeed! We’ll see you on the other side!Ken is survived by his wife, Judy Froese, McPherson, KS; brother, Don (Dianne) Froese, Inman KS, brother-in-law Jim Krehbiel, Newton KS, daughter Sherri Evans, Camp Verde AZ; grandchildren Chris (Samantha) Evans, Ozark MO, Drake (James) Loughead, Albuquerque NM, and Mae Manuel, Springfield MO; great grandchildren Kara and Aria Evans, Ozark MO. Ken was preceded in death by his sister Rosanne Krehbiel, and his parents.Services are on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 with a private memorial service and burial, followed by lunch at noon and a Community Celebration of Life at the Inman Community Center.Ken won’t be able to enjoy flowers at the funeral, there will plenty of flowers where he is going. So in lieu of sending flowers to the funeral home, it would please us if you would send flowers to someone that you love so they can enjoy them here and now, in Ken’s memory. Memorial gifts may be made to the Inman Senior Center, in care of Inman Funeral Home.

 Kenneth Dale Froese  | 1941-2025 |   

<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/links/nrd6iq">BOX SCORE</a>

CASPER, Wyo. — The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball season came to a close in the second round of the national tournament on Friday, falling to Three Rivers (Mo.), 50-48.

Hailey Jackson had a chance to tie the game up in the final seconds, but a shot attempt from the right baseline fell just short as the horn sounded.&nbsp;

Jackson finished with a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds for her 14th double-double of the season and 17th of her career. She'll forever be one of the greatest players to ever where a Blue Dragon uniform. She finishes third on the all-time scoring list with 1,100 career points in 71 games played.&nbsp;

The Blue Dragons finish the 2024-25 season with a 29-5 record. The four sophomores that spent two seasons in a HutchCC uniform finished with a 66-5 record, a national title, two national tournament appearances and a 50-game winning streak.

Hutchinson fell behind early 5-0 before scoring the next 12 points of the game to lead 14-9 after the first period. The Blue Dragons were outscored by three in the second quarter, but still led at halftime 26-24.

Three Rivers (29-3) and Hutchinson each scored 12 points in the third quarter for a two-point lead for the Blue Dragons after the third period. The Raiders outscored the Blue Dragons by four in the final frame to earn the win and advance to the quarterfinals to face No. 3 Northwest Florida State on Saturday afternoon.

Hutchinson shot 40% from the floor, while Three Rivers only shot 29%, but the Raiders got up 25 more shot attempts, thanks to 17 offensive rebounds.&nbsp;

The Blue Dragons gave up 17 second chance points, while also turning the ball over 18 times, compared to eight by the Raiders.

The seven Blue Dragon sophomores that played their final game in a Hutchinson uniform are Kahlen Norris, Jackson, Landon Forbes, Madi Denison, Jada Pleasant, Brynne Katcher and Zhane Singer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743214349525.jpeg" alt="Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="2025 NJCAA WBB Tournament: Hutchinson CC vs. Three Rivers" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=aqquw-1865fb3-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><a href="https://www.njcaa.org/links/nrd6iq">BOX SCORE</a>CASPER, Wyo. — The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball season came to a close in the second round of the national tournament on Friday, falling to Three Rivers (Mo.), 50-48.Hailey Jackson had a chance to tie the game up in the final seconds, but a shot attempt from the right baseline fell just short as the horn sounded.&nbsp;Jackson finished with a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds for her 14th double-double of the season and 17th of her career. She'll forever be one of the greatest players to ever where a Blue Dragon uniform. She finishes third on the all-time scoring list with 1,100 career points in 71 games played.&nbsp;The Blue Dragons finish the 2024-25 season with a 29-5 record. The four sophomores that spent two seasons in a HutchCC uniform finished with a 66-5 record, a national title, two national tournament appearances and a 50-game winning streak.Hutchinson fell behind early 5-0 before scoring the next 12 points of the game to lead 14-9 after the first period. The Blue Dragons were outscored by three in the second quarter, but still led at halftime 26-24.Three Rivers (29-3) and Hutchinson each scored 12 points in the third quarter for a two-point lead for the Blue Dragons after the third period. The Raiders outscored the Blue Dragons by four in the final frame to earn the win and advance to the quarterfinals to face No. 3 Northwest Florida State on Saturday afternoon.Hutchinson shot 40% from the floor, while Three Rivers only shot 29%, but the Raiders got up 25 more shot attempts, thanks to 17 offensive rebounds.&nbsp;The Blue Dragons gave up 17 second chance points, while also turning the ball over 18 times, compared to eight by the Raiders.The seven Blue Dragon sophomores that played their final game in a Hutchinson uniform are Kahlen Norris, Jackson, Landon Forbes, Madi Denison, Jada Pleasant, Brynne Katcher and Zhane Singer.

🏀 Hutchinson ends season with second round loss to Three Rivers

CASPER, Wyoming - The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team bids for its eighth all-time appearance in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament on Friday in Casper, Wyoming.

The No. 11-seeded Blue Dragons (29-4) take on sixth-seed Three Rivers (28-3) in the tournament's final second-round matchup at 5:45 p.m. CDT on Friday at the Ford Wyoming Center.

The game will be broadcast live on KHMY-FM (My93.1) beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Sean Boston (play-by-play) calling the action. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, which is a pay-per-view/subscription service.

Friday's matchup will be the first ever between Hutchinson and Three Rivers. Last season when the Blue Dragons won the 2024 national championship, Three Rivers advanced to the quarterfinals.

Behind&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/jackson_hailey_q6t6">Hailey Jackson</a>'s 13th double-double of the season of 17 points and 12 rebounds, the Blue Dragons advanced to the second round of the national tournament with a 61-58 win over South Georgia Tech on Wednesday. The Blue Dragons are now 7-2 in national tournament opening-round games.

Three Rivers was ranked No. 2 in the final NJCAA Tournament regular-season national rankings, but was upset by State Fair 73-70 in the Region 16 championship game on March 14. That loss snapped a 20-game winning streak by the Raiders.

While Hutchinson and Three Rivers have never played in women's basketball, the two schools have met in another significant game in NJCAA history. The Blue Dragon men defeated the Raider men 78-74 in the 1994 men's NJCAA Tournament championship game.

The Blue Dragons are currently in their 13th NJCAA Tournament appearance. The Dragons are 4-2 in second-round games in tournament history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743170703407.jpeg" alt="Head coach John Ontjes and the Blue Dragon women's basketball team meet Three Rivers in the second round of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament at 5:45 p.m. Friday in Casper, WY. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Head coach John Ontjes and the Blue Dragon women's basketball team meet Three Rivers in the second round of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament at 5:45 p.m. Friday in Casper, WY. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationCASPER, Wyoming - The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team bids for its eighth all-time appearance in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament on Friday in Casper, Wyoming.The No. 11-seeded Blue Dragons (29-4) take on sixth-seed Three Rivers (28-3) in the tournament's final second-round matchup at 5:45 p.m. CDT on Friday at the Ford Wyoming Center.<div>BLUE DRAGON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL No. 11 Hutchinson (29-4) vs. No. 6 Three Rivers (28-3) 2025 NJCAA Women's Division I National Tournament - 2nd Round When: Friday, March 28, 2025 Where: Ford Casper Center, Casper, WY Tipoff: 5:45 p.m. CDT Radio:&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1), 5:30 p.m. - Sean Boston (PBP)</a> Video:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/catalog/cd70a58e-a830-330c-93ed-52360b51b632/basketball#bucketId=29794&amp;sourceCollection=Browse_By_Sport_New" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN+</a> X: @bluedragonsport <a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/files/Game_34_-_Three_Rivers_women.pdf">CLICK FOR FULL BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)</a></div>The game will be broadcast live on KHMY-FM (My93.1) beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Sean Boston (play-by-play) calling the action. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, which is a pay-per-view/subscription service.Friday's matchup will be the first ever between Hutchinson and Three Rivers. Last season when the Blue Dragons won the 2024 national championship, Three Rivers advanced to the quarterfinals.Behind&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/jackson_hailey_q6t6">Hailey Jackson</a>'s 13th double-double of the season of 17 points and 12 rebounds, the Blue Dragons advanced to the second round of the national tournament with a 61-58 win over South Georgia Tech on Wednesday. The Blue Dragons are now 7-2 in national tournament opening-round games.Three Rivers was ranked No. 2 in the final NJCAA Tournament regular-season national rankings, but was upset by State Fair 73-70 in the Region 16 championship game on March 14. That loss snapped a 20-game winning streak by the Raiders.While Hutchinson and Three Rivers have never played in women's basketball, the two schools have met in another significant game in NJCAA history. The Blue Dragon men defeated the Raider men 78-74 in the 1994 men's NJCAA Tournament championship game.The Blue Dragons are currently in their 13th NJCAA Tournament appearance. The Dragons are 4-2 in second-round games in tournament history.

🏀 HutchCC faces Three Rivers in NJCAA Tournament second round 

Born-Frances Mae Hale March 26, 1940 in Hutchinson, Kan. Parents-Percival L. Hale, Sr. Marie Frances Lockamy-Hale.&nbsp;

Frances was born and raised on a farm near Hutchinson, Ks. 

The cause of her death was due to AGE and its effects. She graduated from Buhler High School, Buhler, Ks. In 1958. She received an Associate Degree from Hutchinson Community College in 1960 and BSE in Health, Science and Physical Education from Emporia State University in 1962. She did extensive graduate work throughout her teaching career. 

Frances taught K-12 levels for seven years in Kansas and then moved to Loveland in 1969. She taught at Loveland High School from 1969-1976 and moved to the New Thompson Valley High School in 1976 where she retired in 1996. Her teachings in Loveland were in the areas of Health, Physical Education, Swimming, First Aid &amp; CPR and working with special needs students. 

After retiring from teaching, she continued to work at the Dick Hewson Aquatic Center at Thompson Valley High School where she taught swimming, Life guarded lap swim and weekend parties and worked with children with special needs. Finally, saying it was time to lighten the load in 2020, she continued to do weekend checks at the Thompson Valley Pool and play more Golf. 

Full retirement was never a given thought for Frances, she always had something brewing. In 2003, Frances was chosen to be one of Loveland's People Who Make a Difference for that year. Frances was a member of the First Christian Church in Loveland and a former member of the Elks Lodge #1051 in Loveland. 

Frances was preceded in death by both of her parents, a brother (Bud) and the loves of her life Sami and Roski (4-legged Min Pins) and rescued Terrier Mix tripod Darla Sue who developed into a certified Therapy Dog. 

Frances is survived by a very special friend Helene of Ontario, Canada and a nephew Dale (Deb) Morris of Manitoba, Canada. A very special thanks to Shirley Coffman and her friendship which was always there and appreciated. Many thanks to my Loveland family of friends, you are the best! 

There will be NO services and Cremation will take place. My ashes and the ashes of my dogs will be place together and committed back to earth. 

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of ones critics and endure the betrayal of false friends and family; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~Emerson~

Memorials: Argus Institute at the CSU Vet School Alzheimer's Association of Kansas Hospice of Kansas Larimer Co. Humane Society

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743169426054.png" alt="Frances Mae Hale&nbsp; 1940-2025" />
 <figcaption>Frances Mae Hale&nbsp; 1940-2025</figcaption>
 </figure>Born-Frances Mae Hale March 26, 1940 in Hutchinson, Kan. Parents-Percival L. Hale, Sr. Marie Frances Lockamy-Hale.&nbsp;Frances was born and raised on a farm near Hutchinson, Ks. The cause of her death was due to AGE and its effects. She graduated from Buhler High School, Buhler, Ks. In 1958. She received an Associate Degree from Hutchinson Community College in 1960 and BSE in Health, Science and Physical Education from Emporia State University in 1962. She did extensive graduate work throughout her teaching career. Frances taught K-12 levels for seven years in Kansas and then moved to Loveland in 1969. She taught at Loveland High School from 1969-1976 and moved to the New Thompson Valley High School in 1976 where she retired in 1996. Her teachings in Loveland were in the areas of Health, Physical Education, Swimming, First Aid &amp; CPR and working with special needs students. After retiring from teaching, she continued to work at the Dick Hewson Aquatic Center at Thompson Valley High School where she taught swimming, Life guarded lap swim and weekend parties and worked with children with special needs. Finally, saying it was time to lighten the load in 2020, she continued to do weekend checks at the Thompson Valley Pool and play more Golf. Full retirement was never a given thought for Frances, she always had something brewing. In 2003, Frances was chosen to be one of Loveland's People Who Make a Difference for that year. Frances was a member of the First Christian Church in Loveland and a former member of the Elks Lodge #1051 in Loveland. Frances was preceded in death by both of her parents, a brother (Bud) and the loves of her life Sami and Roski (4-legged Min Pins) and rescued Terrier Mix tripod Darla Sue who developed into a certified Therapy Dog. Frances is survived by a very special friend Helene of Ontario, Canada and a nephew Dale (Deb) Morris of Manitoba, Canada. A very special thanks to Shirley Coffman and her friendship which was always there and appreciated. Many thanks to my Loveland family of friends, you are the best! There will be NO services and Cremation will take place. My ashes and the ashes of my dogs will be place together and committed back to earth. "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of ones critics and endure the betrayal of false friends and family; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~Emerson~Memorials: Argus Institute at the CSU Vet School Alzheimer's Association of Kansas Hospice of Kansas Larimer Co. Humane Society

Frances Mae Hale  | 1940-2025 |

Timothy Charles “Tim” Stoughton, 57, of Hutchinson, died March 24, 2025, at his home. He was born December 28, 1967, in Hutchinson, to Charles W. and Mildred “Millie” I. (Peterson) Stoughton.

Tim graduated from Buhler High School in 1986 and attended Hutchinson Community College, studying automotive collision repair. He was a jack-of-all-trades and loved to tinker. Tim was an avid lifelong learner who enjoyed reading and learning about anything and everything. His interests were many and varied from working on his Volkswagen “Bug” to props and set pieces for the Apollo 13 movie.

Tim is survived by: his children, Jake Stoughton (Chandler) of Wichita, Kayli Oborny (Trent) of Hutchinson, Kaleb Stoughton of South Hutchinson, Johnnie Stoughton of Wichita; grandchildren, Rhyder, Calloway, and Corbin Stoughton, Parker Oborny; mother, Millie Maskil (Dan) of Hutchinson; sisters, Christine Unruh (Ben) of Fredericksburg, VA, Brenda Rollins-Stoughton (Patrick Countryman) of Enid, OK; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Bonnie.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held.

Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, is in charge of arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743104084856.jpeg" alt="Timothy Charles Stoughton 1967-2025" />
 <figcaption>Timothy Charles Stoughton 1967-2025</figcaption>
 </figure>Timothy Charles “Tim” Stoughton, 57, of Hutchinson, died March 24, 2025, at his home. He was born December 28, 1967, in Hutchinson, to Charles W. and Mildred “Millie” I. (Peterson) Stoughton.Tim graduated from Buhler High School in 1986 and attended Hutchinson Community College, studying automotive collision repair. He was a jack-of-all-trades and loved to tinker. Tim was an avid lifelong learner who enjoyed reading and learning about anything and everything. His interests were many and varied from working on his Volkswagen “Bug” to props and set pieces for the Apollo 13 movie.Tim is survived by: his children, Jake Stoughton (Chandler) of Wichita, Kayli Oborny (Trent) of Hutchinson, Kaleb Stoughton of South Hutchinson, Johnnie Stoughton of Wichita; grandchildren, Rhyder, Calloway, and Corbin Stoughton, Parker Oborny; mother, Millie Maskil (Dan) of Hutchinson; sisters, Christine Unruh (Ben) of Fredericksburg, VA, Brenda Rollins-Stoughton (Patrick Countryman) of Enid, OK; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Bonnie.He was preceded in death by his father.Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held.Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, is in charge of arrangements.

Timothy "Tim" Stoughton | 1967 - 2025 |

<a href="https://njcaastats.prestosports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/div1/boxscores/20250326_oh7z.xml">BOX SCORE</a>

CASPER, Wyo. — The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team picked up a 61-58 win over South Georgia Tech in the first round of the NJCAA Tournament on Wednesday at the Ford Wyoming Center.

The 11-seeded Blue Dragons will face 6-seed Three Rivers (Mo.) on Friday at 4:45 p.m. MDT (5:45 p.m. CDT) in the second round. Three Rivers received the first round bye.

The Blue Dragons trailed 29-24 at halftime and trailed by as many as eight points in the first half before making second half adjustments that would be pivotal.

Hutchinson (29-4) outscored South Georgia Tech (25-7) 37-29 in the second half, thanks to a huge half for Hailey Jackson. The Jayhawk Conference's Player of the Year was held scoreless in the first half and didn't get her first point until the 5:00 mark in the third quarter. She finished with a team-high 17 points, while also bringing down 12 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the season and 16th of her career. Jackson knocked down 6-of-8 from the foul stripe, the same free throw line that she knocked down three free throws with under a second to play in the national championship game win last April.

HutchCC held a 61-53 lead with 53 seconds remaining, before South Georgia Tech scored the final five points of the game to pull within a single possession.&nbsp;

The Blue Dragons, which struggled to shoot the basketball in their last two games, going a combined 9-of-55 in the Region VI Tournament, knocked down 6-of-15 attempts on Wednesday evening.

Jada Pleasant was the only other HutchCC player in double-figure scoring, finishing with 10 points and four rebounds. Kahlen Norris had nine, Landon Forbes and Katie Duncan each had eight, while Brynne Katcher had seven to round out a balanced scoring attack.

South Georgia Tech was led by Jamiah Gregory, the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Conference's Player of the Year, with 16 points. The Jets knocked down eight 3-pointers in the loss.

Hutchinson held South Georgia Tech, a team that was plus-10 on the glass in games this season to 22 total rebounds. The Blue Dragons finished plus-14, including 13 offensive boards, and holding a really good Jets offensive rebounding team to just four total.

The Blue Dragons are now 25-12 all-time in the national tournament and are 7-2 in opening round games. John Ontjes is now 22-10 in the national tournament as the HutchCC head coach, and the Blue Dragons have now won five straight games in the Cowboy State.

Friday's second round game can be heard on <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1)</a>, the official postseason radio home for the Blue Dragons in the national tournament.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743044650934.jpeg" alt="Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://njcaastats.prestosports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/div1/boxscores/20250326_oh7z.xml">BOX SCORE</a>Head coach John Ontjes postgame<div><iframe title="2025 NJCAA WBB Tournament: Hutchinson CC head coach John Ontjes Postgame vs. South Georgia Tech" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=zmcnr-1862d75-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>CASPER, Wyo. — The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team picked up a 61-58 win over South Georgia Tech in the first round of the NJCAA Tournament on Wednesday at the Ford Wyoming Center.The 11-seeded Blue Dragons will face 6-seed Three Rivers (Mo.) on Friday at 4:45 p.m. MDT (5:45 p.m. CDT) in the second round. Three Rivers received the first round bye.<div><iframe title="2025 NJCAA WBB Tournament: Hutchinson CC vs. South Georgia Tech" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=qtzek-1862d5e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>The Blue Dragons trailed 29-24 at halftime and trailed by as many as eight points in the first half before making second half adjustments that would be pivotal.Hutchinson (29-4) outscored South Georgia Tech (25-7) 37-29 in the second half, thanks to a huge half for Hailey Jackson. The Jayhawk Conference's Player of the Year was held scoreless in the first half and didn't get her first point until the 5:00 mark in the third quarter. She finished with a team-high 17 points, while also bringing down 12 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the season and 16th of her career. Jackson knocked down 6-of-8 from the foul stripe, the same free throw line that she knocked down three free throws with under a second to play in the national championship game win last April.HutchCC held a 61-53 lead with 53 seconds remaining, before South Georgia Tech scored the final five points of the game to pull within a single possession.&nbsp;The Blue Dragons, which struggled to shoot the basketball in their last two games, going a combined 9-of-55 in the Region VI Tournament, knocked down 6-of-15 attempts on Wednesday evening.Jada Pleasant was the only other HutchCC player in double-figure scoring, finishing with 10 points and four rebounds. Kahlen Norris had nine, Landon Forbes and Katie Duncan each had eight, while Brynne Katcher had seven to round out a balanced scoring attack.South Georgia Tech was led by Jamiah Gregory, the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Conference's Player of the Year, with 16 points. The Jets knocked down eight 3-pointers in the loss.Hutchinson held South Georgia Tech, a team that was plus-10 on the glass in games this season to 22 total rebounds. The Blue Dragons finished plus-14, including 13 offensive boards, and holding a really good Jets offensive rebounding team to just four total.The Blue Dragons are now 25-12 all-time in the national tournament and are 7-2 in opening round games. John Ontjes is now 22-10 in the national tournament as the HutchCC head coach, and the Blue Dragons have now won five straight games in the Cowboy State.Friday's second round game can be heard on <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1)</a>, the official postseason radio home for the Blue Dragons in the national tournament.

🏀 Blue Dragon women survive first round game in national tournament

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Game 17: Connors State (Okla.) 66, Daytona State College (Fla.) 65

Game 18: Trinity Valley (Tex.) 61, Cowley College (Kan.) 60

Game 19: South Plains College (Tex.) 79,&nbsp;Angelina College (Tex.) 70

Game 20: Panola College (Tex.) 75, Vincennes (Ind.) 67

The glass slipper is strapped on tight for the Connors State men.

The No. 17-seed Cowboys rallied from 12 points down with 5:05 left to defeat No. 8 Daytona State Wednesday 66-65 in the quarterfinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Men’s Basketball Championship tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Connors advances to the semifinals for the second straight year and plays the winner of No. 12 South Plains and No. 4 Angelina at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The difference in the first half was minimal as Connors trailed 30-25 at intermission. The Cowboys converted 11 of 30 (38.7%) shots to the Falcons’ 10-of-32 (31.3%) shooting. However, Daytona made three 3s to CSC’s two and converted seven free throws of Connors’ four.

The second half started in the Cowboys favor and they scored the first five points of the half to tie the score at 30-30 with 18:17 left in the half. But the Falcons went on a run of their own, scoring seven straight to retake the lead 37-30.

Connors came right back and with 14:54 to go had completed a 7-0 spurt to tie the score at 37-37.

The see-saw then tilted in favor of the Falcons as they found their range from beyond the arc, hitting three 3s while dropping in two two-point buckets to get out to a 50-42 lead with 11:08 remaining in regulation.

Daytona State kept up the hot shooting and with 5:05 left they led 61-49.

But the Cowboys put on a rally. After a flagrant foul was called against a Daytona player, Jeremiah Johnson made two free throws and Monday’s hero DJ Dormu nailed a 3 from just outside the arc, and with 2:55 left, the Cowboys trailed 65-59.

At the 1:23 mark, Edwin Daniel hit a 3 and the deficit was cut to 65-62. And with 38.3 to go, Dormu nailed a 3 from the left win to tie the score at 65-65.

With 7.2 seconds left, Daniel was fouled and made one of two free throws. The second attempt bounced off the rim and Daniel grabbed the rebound and was fouled again with 5.9 left.

This time he missed both and Daytona, with no time outs, dribbled the length of the floor but missed the final shot as the Cowboys move on.

Daniel led the Cowboys with 17 points, while Dormu had 15 points and Aric Walls finished with 13 points. As a team, Connors shot 41.8% (23 of 55) from the field while Daytona State made 38.1% of its shots (24 of 63).

The Trinity Valley Cardinals won a thriller over Cowley College on Wednesday, 61-60, to advance to the semifinals of the NJCAA tournament.

The Cardinals blocked the final shot of the game to seal the win.

Trinity Valley scored the first seven points of the game, but Cowley held a 28-25 lead at halftime. In the second half, Cowley led by as many as 10 points before the Cardinals battled back. TVCC took their first lead of the half with 10:10 left at 43-42. TVCC was up by as many as eight points before Cowley brought it back to within a point with 90 seconds left in the game. MJ Wardlow go the bucket and the foul to put TVCC up by three with 36 seconds remaining.

Tyler Smith and Cameron Williams led the way for the Cardinals. Smith was 5-of-13 from the floor to finish with 14 points, one rebound and one assist. Williams was 7-of-9 from the floor to finish with 14 points, seven rebounds and an assist. Garrett Nuckolls (Bullard) had nine points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Angelina College Roadrunners’ season comes to an end on Wednesday night with a 79-70 loss to South Plains College in the quarterfinal round of the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament.

South Plains outscored Angelina in the paint, 38-18.

The Roadrunners went back and forth with the Texans in the first half and held a 36-33 lead at the halftime break. In the second half, Angelina led by seven points with 11 minutes to go in the game. Both teams continued trading buckets and trading the lead. With 7:10 remaining, South Plains went on an 11-0 scoring run to take a nine point lead and the Texans never surrendered the lead again.

Leading the way for Angelina was Jordan Mathews with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Kanaan Holder (Hudson) had 14 points and an assist.

Waqo Tessema and the Panola College men’s basketball team picked a great night for a career-high scoring night and a season-high in 3-pointers made.

Tessema scored a career-high 24 points, including seven 3-pointers; Travis Torain scored 16 points with four 3-pointers; and Khoi Thurmon had a double-double with 13 points and 12 assists as No. 6 seeded Panola hit a season-high 14 3-pointers in defeating No. 14 seeded Vincennes 75-67 in a NJCAA Division I quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Tessema connected on 7-of-14 from behind the 3-point line, and Torain hit 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.

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Panola (29-6), who on Tuesday defeated No. 11 Frank Phillips 60-53, started off strong building their lead to as many as nine points early in the game.

Vincennes (28-5) battled back to give Panola their first deficit in the tournament by taking a five-point lead late in the first half behind the hot shooting of Travelle Bryson.

But Panola didn’t let the deficit deter them as the Ponies tied the Trail Blazers 40-40 going to the half.

Behind four quick Worsham points, Panola took a 44-40 lead and the Ponies staved off the Trail Blazers the rest of the game.

Vincennes, who defeated No. 3 seeded Indian Wells 85-71 on Monday, had trouble scoring from the outside in the second half as Panola completely shut down Bryson in the second half.

Bryson —&nbsp;who scored 17 points in the first half, including five 3-pointers —&nbsp;ended up going scoreless in the second half.

Panola stayed even keel from beyond the arc as the Ponies hit seven 3s in the first half and seven 3s in the second half.

The Ponies built their lead to as many as 11 in the second half before the Trail Blazers cut the deficit down to as little as four points.

LeBron Thomas and Bryson each scored 17 points for Vincennes as Thomas added six rebounds and seven assists.

Bryan Akanmu scored 10 points with six rebounds and five assists for the Trail Blazers.

After Panola’s lead was cut to four at 67-63, Torain hit back-to-back 3s that stretched the Ponies’ lead back to double digits with 2:28 left in the game.

Enel St. Bernard scored four points and added seven rebounds and three block, and Benicio Leons added six rebounds and a pair of steals for the Ponies.

Panola will face a very familiar opponent in the semifinals: None other than Trinity Valley. The No. 7-seeded Cardinals defeated No. 2 seed Cowley 61-60 in another quarterfinal matchup.

This will be the fourth time these two Region XIV Conference rivals will have squared off this season.

Panola has taken two out of the three matchups against Trinity Valley, including a 67-59 victory in the Region XIV Tournament championship back on March 15.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742176424420.png" alt="Photo Courtesy NJCAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy NJCAA</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index">TOURNAMENT CENTRAL</a><a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">CLICK HERE FOR RADIO STREAM</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/schedule?channel=ESPN_PLUS">CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO STREAM ($)</a>Game 17: Connors State (Okla.) 66, Daytona State College (Fla.) 65Game 18: Trinity Valley (Tex.) 61, Cowley College (Kan.) 60Game 19: South Plains College (Tex.) 79,&nbsp;Angelina College (Tex.) 70Game 20: Panola College (Tex.) 75, Vincennes (Ind.) 67Game 17 recap:The glass slipper is strapped on tight for the Connors State men.The No. 17-seed Cowboys rallied from 12 points down with 5:05 left to defeat No. 8 Daytona State Wednesday 66-65 in the quarterfinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Men’s Basketball Championship tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.Connors advances to the semifinals for the second straight year and plays the winner of No. 12 South Plains and No. 4 Angelina at 5:30 p.m. Friday.The difference in the first half was minimal as Connors trailed 30-25 at intermission. The Cowboys converted 11 of 30 (38.7%) shots to the Falcons’ 10-of-32 (31.3%) shooting. However, Daytona made three 3s to CSC’s two and converted seven free throws of Connors’ four.The second half started in the Cowboys favor and they scored the first five points of the half to tie the score at 30-30 with 18:17 left in the half. But the Falcons went on a run of their own, scoring seven straight to retake the lead 37-30.Connors came right back and with 14:54 to go had completed a 7-0 spurt to tie the score at 37-37.The see-saw then tilted in favor of the Falcons as they found their range from beyond the arc, hitting three 3s while dropping in two two-point buckets to get out to a 50-42 lead with 11:08 remaining in regulation.Daytona State kept up the hot shooting and with 5:05 left they led 61-49.But the Cowboys put on a rally. After a flagrant foul was called against a Daytona player, Jeremiah Johnson made two free throws and Monday’s hero DJ Dormu nailed a 3 from just outside the arc, and with 2:55 left, the Cowboys trailed 65-59.At the 1:23 mark, Edwin Daniel hit a 3 and the deficit was cut to 65-62. And with 38.3 to go, Dormu nailed a 3 from the left win to tie the score at 65-65.With 7.2 seconds left, Daniel was fouled and made one of two free throws. The second attempt bounced off the rim and Daniel grabbed the rebound and was fouled again with 5.9 left.This time he missed both and Daytona, with no time outs, dribbled the length of the floor but missed the final shot as the Cowboys move on.Daniel led the Cowboys with 17 points, while Dormu had 15 points and Aric Walls finished with 13 points. As a team, Connors shot 41.8% (23 of 55) from the field while Daytona State made 38.1% of its shots (24 of 63).Game 18 recap:The Trinity Valley Cardinals won a thriller over Cowley College on Wednesday, 61-60, to advance to the semifinals of the NJCAA tournament.The Cardinals blocked the final shot of the game to seal the win.Trinity Valley scored the first seven points of the game, but Cowley held a 28-25 lead at halftime. In the second half, Cowley led by as many as 10 points before the Cardinals battled back. TVCC took their first lead of the half with 10:10 left at 43-42. TVCC was up by as many as eight points before Cowley brought it back to within a point with 90 seconds left in the game. MJ Wardlow go the bucket and the foul to put TVCC up by three with 36 seconds remaining.Tyler Smith and Cameron Williams led the way for the Cardinals. Smith was 5-of-13 from the floor to finish with 14 points, one rebound and one assist. Williams was 7-of-9 from the floor to finish with 14 points, seven rebounds and an assist. Garrett Nuckolls (Bullard) had nine points, four rebounds and three assists.Game 19 recap:The Angelina College Roadrunners’ season comes to an end on Wednesday night with a 79-70 loss to South Plains College in the quarterfinal round of the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament.South Plains outscored Angelina in the paint, 38-18.The Roadrunners went back and forth with the Texans in the first half and held a 36-33 lead at the halftime break. In the second half, Angelina led by seven points with 11 minutes to go in the game. Both teams continued trading buckets and trading the lead. With 7:10 remaining, South Plains went on an 11-0 scoring run to take a nine point lead and the Texans never surrendered the lead again.Leading the way for Angelina was Jordan Mathews with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Kanaan Holder (Hudson) had 14 points and an assist.Game 20 recap:Waqo Tessema and the Panola College men’s basketball team picked a great night for a career-high scoring night and a season-high in 3-pointers made.Tessema scored a career-high 24 points, including seven 3-pointers; Travis Torain scored 16 points with four 3-pointers; and Khoi Thurmon had a double-double with 13 points and 12 assists as No. 6 seeded Panola hit a season-high 14 3-pointers in defeating No. 14 seeded Vincennes 75-67 in a NJCAA Division I quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday in Hutchinson, Kansas.Tessema connected on 7-of-14 from behind the 3-point line, and Torain hit 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.Sports headlines delivered to your inboxGet our free newsletterSubmitPanola (29-6), who on Tuesday defeated No. 11 Frank Phillips 60-53, started off strong building their lead to as many as nine points early in the game.Vincennes (28-5) battled back to give Panola their first deficit in the tournament by taking a five-point lead late in the first half behind the hot shooting of Travelle Bryson.But Panola didn’t let the deficit deter them as the Ponies tied the Trail Blazers 40-40 going to the half.Behind four quick Worsham points, Panola took a 44-40 lead and the Ponies staved off the Trail Blazers the rest of the game.Vincennes, who defeated No. 3 seeded Indian Wells 85-71 on Monday, had trouble scoring from the outside in the second half as Panola completely shut down Bryson in the second half.Bryson —&nbsp;who scored 17 points in the first half, including five 3-pointers —&nbsp;ended up going scoreless in the second half.Panola stayed even keel from beyond the arc as the Ponies hit seven 3s in the first half and seven 3s in the second half.The Ponies built their lead to as many as 11 in the second half before the Trail Blazers cut the deficit down to as little as four points.LeBron Thomas and Bryson each scored 17 points for Vincennes as Thomas added six rebounds and seven assists.Bryan Akanmu scored 10 points with six rebounds and five assists for the Trail Blazers.After Panola’s lead was cut to four at 67-63, Torain hit back-to-back 3s that stretched the Ponies’ lead back to double digits with 2:28 left in the game.Enel St. Bernard scored four points and added seven rebounds and three block, and Benicio Leons added six rebounds and a pair of steals for the Ponies.Panola will face a very familiar opponent in the semifinals: None other than Trinity Valley. The No. 7-seeded Cardinals defeated No. 2 seed Cowley 61-60 in another quarterfinal matchup.This will be the fourth time these two Region XIV Conference rivals will have squared off this season.Panola has taken two out of the three matchups against Trinity Valley, including a 67-59 victory in the Region XIV Tournament championship back on March 15.