Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Two of the Jayhawk Conference's most storied programs meet for the first of two games this season and for the 58th time overall on Saturday.

Winners of a combined five NJCAA national championships and 31 Region VI championships, the No. 17-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team (13-2, 8-1 KJCCC) meets the Coffeyville Red Ravens (8-7, 4-5) at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Nellis Hall in Coffeyville.

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) at 3:45 p.m. with Sean Boston (PBP) and Daren Dunn (Color) calling the action. The Red Raven Sports Network (located on YouTube) will provide a free stream beginning at 3:55 p.m.

Over the last three games, the Blue Dragons have posted the top defensive numbers in the Jayhawk Conference. Winning games over No. 17 Butler, Northwest Tech and Seward County, the Blue Dragons have allowed only 52.7 points per game over the last three games, which includes an all-time series-low 42 points in a 76-42 victory over Seward County on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

The last three Blue Dragon opponents are shooting only 36.7 percent and just 30.2 percent from 3-point range. The Dragons are also a plus-13.3 in rebounding margin, are forcing 18 turnovers per game and are averaging 13.0 steals per contest.

Offensively, the Blue Dragons are shooting 50.0 percent overall and are averaging 76.0 points per game.

Valentino Simon had 20 points and six rebounds to lead the Blue Dragons on Wednesday against Seward County. Hutchinson shot 57.4 percent as a team.

The Blue Dragons square off against a Coffeyville team that has been having an up-and-down season. The Ravens started 2023-24 with three-straight wins, but dropped 5 of 6. Coffeyville closed December with three-straight wins, but opened January with losses to No. 9 Barton and Garden City at Nellis Hall.

The Red Ravens enter the Hutchinson game after defeating Dodge City 91-72 on Wednesday, getting 28 points on 6 of 10 3-point shooting from Jahni Summers and 52.5 percent shooting overall with 13 total 3-pointers.

Saturday's game for the Blue Dragons is the only road game in a six-game stretch that began with home wins over Northwest Tech and Seward County. After Saturday's road battle at Coffeyville, the Blue Dragons play three-straight home games, starting with No. 9 Barton on Wednesday. Garden City is at the Sports Arena next Saturday and then Dodge City plays at the Arena in January 24 to start the second half of the Jayhawk Conference season.