(HCC Sports Information)

WICHITA – For the second-straight year, the Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team was picked to win the Jayhawk Conference Western Division.

The Jayhawk Conference preseason poll was released on Monday at the annual Jayhawk Conference Media Day in Wichita. Last week, the Lady Dragons were picked seventh in the NJCAA Women’s Division I preseason poll.

Hutchinson was 30-3 last season and won the program’s first Jayhawk West title since 1980. HCC was upset by Cloud County in the Region VI championship game. Fifth-year head coach John Ontjes returns two starters and five letter winners from that team that set a team scoring record and led the nation in team defense.

Sophomore forward Jackie Patterson earned numerous postseason honors last season, including second-team All-America honors and Jayhawk West Player and Freshman of the Year Awards. Patterson averaged 13.8 points and 7.6 rebounds and was second in the Jayhawk Conference in field goal percentage at 53.6 percent.

Sophomore point-guard Alysse Barlow also returns after a first-team all-league and all-region season in which she averaged 13.5 points and had a team-high 139 assists.

Also back are forward Chelsea Small (9.4 ppg.), guard Lanicia Lawrence (3.8 ppg.) and center Kara Lee (3.8 ppg.).

Ontjes also added former Hutchinson Central Christian star Laura Patrick to the mix. Patrick transferred after one year at Sterling College in which she earned KCAC Freshman of the Year honors. Eight freshmen and redshirts will also figure into Ontjes’ plans for 2011-2012.

The top three teams in the Jayhawk West were Hutchinson, Seward County and defending Region VI champion Cloud County. The remainder of the Jayhawk West was Butler, Garden City, Barton, Pratt, Colby and Dodge City.

Cowley was the preseason pick of Jayhawk East coaches to win that division. Independence was picked second and Johnson County was picked third. The remainder of the Jayhawk East was Kansas City, Labette, Highland, Fort Scott, Neosho County and Allen.

The Lady Dragons open the 2011-2012 season on Friday, November 4 with Hesston College in the annual Quarterback Classic at the Sports Arena.

2011 -2012 JAYHAWK CONFERENCE PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Jayhawk West
1. Hutchinson
2. Seward County
3. Cloud County
4. Butler
5. Garden City
6. Barton
7. Pratt
8. Colby
9. Dodge City

Jayhawk East
1. Cowley
2. Independence
3. Johnson County
4. Coffeyville
5. Kansas City
6. Labette
7. Highland
8. Fort Scott
9. Neosho County
10. Allen