Victories for Hutchinson Community College women’s coach John Ontjes have come early and often for the 11th year head coach.
Saturday was another tick in the win column as the Ontjes collected his 300th career victory as the Blue Dragons coach in the 77-54 rout over visiting Allen County. He is already the leader in career victories at Hutchinson. Tom Worthing is second with 225.
Hutchinson improves to 13-2 overall and 9-2 in the Jayhawk Conference. The struggles continue for Allen Couny, falling to 4-11 overall.
“I wasn’t even worried about it,” Ontjes said in the locker room on the milestone. “I was more concerned with our ball club, focusing on our intensity and just to play 40 minutes of great basketball. The 300th win, it’s because of all the great players.
“Coach (Travis) Kick has been here all my 11 years,” Ontjes added. “And coach (Phil) Anderson has been a part of a lot of great victories the last four years and that’s just fun to be a part of.”
One of those great players has been freshman Jada Mickens. The 6-foot Mickens soared through the passing lane to pick off a pass by Allen County Jakira Wilson at the top of the key in the third quarter. Mickens traveled the length of the court for the easy fast break basket to ignite a 14-5 run.
Mickens posted her fifth straight double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds. In the last five games, Mickens had 28 points and 14 rebounds against Barton, 19 and 11 against Sante Fe, 10 and 10 versus Florida Southwestern State, 22 and 10 on the road at Cowley County and returned home for the 23 and 13 performance against Allen County Saturday night.
Mickens said it’s all about coming out with an aggressive mindset and feeding off the energy from the team. The freshman also gave praise to her coach on his 300th career win.
“He knows what needs to be done,” Mickens said on Ontjes. “He makes us better players as a team and individually. It’s great being a player for coach Ontjes.
It was a rough start offensively for both teams in the first quarter. HCC went 5 of 22 (22.7 percent) and Allen County made 4 of 17 (23.5). The Blue Dragons turned it around in the second quarter to shoot 70 percent from the field. Hutchinson led 31-24 at the half.
After the Mickens steal to start the third, she had a chance for a three point play, but couldn’t complete the free throw. The ball found its way back to Mickens for the put back underneath then Dejanae Roebuck, who finished with 12 points and 9 rebound, knocked down a 3-pointer to make it 44-30.
Sophomore Alicia Brown had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
TAKING ADVANTAGE: Hutchinson scored 19 points off turnovers, scored 13 second chance points and 22 fast break points. The Blue Dragons grabbed 18 offensive rebounds to the Red Devil's 6.
NEXT: Hutchinson C.C. heads to Independence Wednesday for a 6 p.m. tipoff.
HUTCHINSON 77 ALLEN COUNTY 54
Hutchinson;13;18;20;26;—;77
Allen County;10;14;15;15;—;54
Hutchinson (13-2, 9-2)
Mickens 9-18 5-10 23, Brown 5-7 6-10 16, Roebuck 5-13 1-2 12, Barber 3-6 5-5 11, Cramer 2-6 2-2 6, Brett 1-1 2-2 5, Green 2-5 0-1 4,
Allen County (4-11, 2-9)
Wilson 7-17 2-2 18, Pittman 4-8 3-5 11, Summons 4-9 0-0 9, Shaver 3-7 0-0 6, Andrews 1-5 1-2 3, Verge 1-4 0-0 2, Elize 1-5 0-0 2, Seals 1-1 0-0 2, Patterson 0-2 1-2 1
Halftime score: Hutchinson, 31-24 3-point goals: Hutchinson 2-9 (Two tied with 1), Allen County 3-17 (Wilson 2), Rebounds: Hutchinson 51 (Mickens 13), Allen County 30 (Two tied with 5) Assists: Hutchinson 21 (Green 5), Allen County 8 (Shaver 4). Turnovers: Hutchinson 14, Allen County 14