March 3, 2005
SAINTS DEFEAT HUTCH TO SECURE SECOND PLACE IN THE WEST
The Seward County Saints have kept their Cinderella story season rolling, by defeating Hutchinson Community College 73-65 Wednesday night at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. With the victory the Saints have locked up second place in the Jayhawk West Conference.
Last night sophomore Keoni Watson displayed once again why he has dominated the Jayhawk West this season by scoring 26 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists. Other sophomores having big nights were Brian McCarther and Kyle Smith. McCarther recorded a double/double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Smith scored 10 points and chipped in four assists.
The Saints were almost automatic from the free-throw line hitting 17-of-21 from the charity stripe. The Saints also played good defense containing Hutchinson to 25-for-64 shooting (.391 %) from the field.
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Head Coach Dave Brown
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Just a year ago the Saints were 1-15 in conference and at the bottom of the Jayhawk West. What a difference a year makes, Head Coach Dave Brown has defined what Coach of the Year is by turning around a 9-21 team from a year ago into Region VI contenders in 2005. Brown has seven returning players from last year's team and has added only four newcomers. Brown has also added assistant coach Hank Harris who has proved to be pivotal for turning the Seward County Basketball program back in the direction they have been heading for the past nine years.
The Jayhawk West Conference schedule will conclude this Saturday and the start of the Region VI Tournament will begin next Wednesday at the higher seeds home court. The Saints will likely host the seventh seeded team from the East which should be Highland Community College (8-21, 6-11 in the Jayhawk East). Highland has conference wins over Kansas City Kansas Community College, Labette, Johnson County, Allen County and Fort Scott twice this season.
The Saints will host their Sophomore Recognition Night this Saturday, against Barton County Community College at 8:00 p.m. in the Green House. Barton County defeated the Saints a month ago in Great Bend by 17 points.
The buyout sponsor for this weekend's games are Sharp, McQueen, McKinley, McQueen and Dodge. You can pick up your free tickets at Convenience Plus, Engels Conoco, both Pizza Hut locations, Sun Flower Bank and Sharp, McQueen, McKinley, McQueen and Dodge.
BOX SCORE at Hutchinson Community College
