BLUE DRAGON WOMEN TO LEAN ON DEFENSE IN 2025-26
By Steve Carpenter
Hutchinson CC Sports Information Director
The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team opens the 2025-26 season this weekend a little shy on returning experience.
Only four players are back from last season's 29-5 team that tied for the Jayhawk Conference championship and advanced to the second round of the NJCAA Tournament.
So what has veteran head coach John Ontjes seen as Opening Day looms?
BLUE DRAGON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
No. 13 Hutchinson at State Fair Classic
At: Davis Multipurpose Center, Sedalia, MO
Friday Opponent: Southeast CC (NE)
Saturday Opponent: Triton (IL)
Game Times: 1 p.m. each day
Radio: KHUT-FM (102.9), 12:45 p.m. – Brice Kessler (PBP)
Video: State Fair YouTube Channel (free video)
X: @bluedragonsport
CLICK FOR FULL GAME NOTES (PDF Format)
"We have a lot of new faces," Ontjes said. "We have four returning players and all four of those players are going to be important for us. They are going to have to provide leadership. Some of our freshman are going to have to be major contributors, so we are going to have to figure out how to play together and be competitive defensively."
Ontjes and the Blue Dragons will open the season this weekend in Sedalia, Missouri in the State Fair Classic. Hutchinson opens at 1 p.m. on Friday against Southeast Community College (NE) and will play Triton College at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Blue Dragons will open at home on November 7 and 8 in the BSN Sports Tipoff Classic at the Sports Arena.
Defense has always been a high priority for the Blue Dragons under Ontjes. Twice in his first 18 seasons the Blue Dragons led the NJCAA in scoring defense. Last season Hutchinson ranked 10th in the nation allowing 51.0 points per game.
With four sophomores – only two played the entire season last year – two transfers and six freshman making up the 2025-26 roster, the Blue Dragons look to find their offensive identity while leading on that tough defense.
Sophomore guard Katie Duncan is the leading returning scorer for the Blue Dragons. She averaged 7.0 points and 1.7 assists last season while shooting 30.6 percent from 3-point range.
Also back is forward Jaden Wilson, who averaged 8.2 minutes per game last season scoring 2.8 points and grabbing 2.2 rebounds per game.
Also back are guard Dylan Alexander and forward Noelle Anthon, both who missed a combined 40 games last season with injuries. Alexander, in 14 games, averaged 8.2 points and 2.1 rebounds. Anthon averaged 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16 games played.
"We are going to be a different team for sure," said Ontjes, who is 512-101 entering his 19th season. "This is one of the few years where we don't return any all-league kids or All-Americans. This is going to have to be a team that has multiple kids step up. Ultimately, it will come down to how much desire we have to defend.
Freshman Whitney Brown takes over at the point to guide the Blue Dragon offense this season. She played at Arkansas high school power Fayetteville High School.
"She is very solid and is a tough-minded kid," Ontjes said. "She is going to bring a lot of energy. Fans will enjoy watching Whitney play."
Duncan moves from the point to the shooting guard position this season. The 3-guard position will have Wichita Heights program Kamyra Barber. Alexander returns to play the forward position and Anthon will return in the post.
Off the bench, Ontjes will have Wilson and freshman Kaia Smith working in the paint. Others coming off the bench will be Anaya Guess, Rylee McLucas, Jamya McPherson and Delora Precop, who won't be available for the weekend with an injury.
The Blue Dragons were picked to finish second in the preseason Jayhawk Conference Coaches' Poll and starts ranked No. 13 in the NJCAA Division I Preseason Rankings.