(HCC Sports Information)

WICHITA – The Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team was picked to finish second in the 2012 Jayhawk Conference Western Division championship race on Monday at the league’s annual media day in Wichita.

The Blue Dragons, 26-7 one year ago in a season where they finished second in the Jayhawk West and in the semifinals in Region VI, were picked behind defending Jayhawk West champion Seward County.

Third-year head coach Steve Eck returns just one starter and two lettermen from last season. Sophomore Mark Braden (6-foot-5 guard from Kansas City, Mo.) was HCC’s third-leading scorer last season, averaging 11.1 points and shooting 51 percent from the field, but only 23.7 percent from 3-point range.

Ryan Schultz (6-5, forward, Maize) is the other returning lettermen. In a reserve role, Schultz averaged 2.0 points and 1.1 rebound per game.

Eck, 53-13 in two seasons at HCC, has one transfer on the roster. Anthony Thomas is a 6-7 forward from Winston Salem, N.C., who played his freshman season at Appalachian State. He averaged just more than a point per game in 56 minutes played.

The Blue Dragons will have nine freshmen this season.

Garden City was picked third in the Jayhawk West, followed by Cloud County, Dodge City, Butler, Barton, Colby and Pratt.

Defending Region VI champion Coffeyville was picked to win the Jayhawk East once again. Independence was second and Cowley was third. The remainder of the Jayhawk East is Kansas City, Neosho County, Highland, Johnson County, Allen, Labette and Fort Scott.

The Blue Dragons open the 2011-2012 season on Thursday November 3 with Fort Scott in the annual Quarterback Classic.

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

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