Petke puts HCC back for title try

Even an out-of-this-world talent such as Hutchinson Community College sophomore Kalani Purcell needs a helping hand from time-to-time. So with a two-point lead with just over a minute to go in the game, freshman forward Cynthia Petke started her dribble from the 3-point line and accelerated to the rim.

"Coach (John) Ontjes always talks about doing something for you or your teammates, so I thought that was a moment to create something for me and my teammates," Petke said. "I just decided to go."

Petke's layup helped No. 1 Hutchinson seal a 63-55 triumph over No. 5 Walters State (Tenn.) on Friday, sending the Blue Dragons to the NJCAA Tournament title game.

Petke hammered Walters State (32-3) for 16 points, 10 rebounds and three steals.

"She stepped up for the whole team tonight," Purcell said. "She really took the team on her back tonight and carried us to this win."

The situation could have turned dire for Hutchinson (36-0) when Purcell picked up her second foul midway through the first half in a 15-15 tie. Purcell was relegated to the bench for nearly the entirity of the rest of the half.

Needing a sidekick to step into the hero's role, Petke broke the tie with an and-one to put Hutchinson ahead 18-15. Soon, the Blue Dragons rattled off a 9-0 run to jump ahead 30-20.

The Blue Dragons led 30-24 at halftime. Petke scored 10 of the team's 15 points during the final nine minutes of the half.

"Cynthia did make some really crucial plays, and it started in the first half," Ontjes said.

It bought the Blue Dragons time until Purcell could re-enter the fray.

Walters State's tight-knit defense slugged Hutchinson's offense, allowing the Lady Senators to tie the game at 49, 52 and 55. The final tie at 55-55 came on a 3-pointer from Walters State's Jephany Brown, who started the second half 8-for-8 from the field on her way to a game-high 22 points.

"She can post you up, but she's also a good shooter," Purcell said. "It was hard to try to stay out on her, as well as keep her in front of me on the drive and stay out of foul trouble in the post."

Hutchinson's Clemence LeFebvre lobbed a pass into Purcell for a post bucket with 2:24 to go that pushed the Blue Dragons ahead 57-55.

"She's always there when we need her," Petke said.

On the Blue Dragons' next possession, Petke made her dribbling run to the hoop for a lay-in that gave Hutchinson a 59-55 lead. On defense, she wrapped her hands around a steal to turn the floor. When Purcell missed a shot, Petke grabbed an offensive rebound that forced Walters State to start fouling.

Blue Dragon sophomore Alyx Bloom swished four free throws in the final minute to clinch the win.

"She's like, 98 percent," Petke said, exaggerating - Bloom actually is an 88 percent free throw shooter. "We know she's going to make it. We were not even worried about that."

Free throws sided with Hutchinson - the Blue Dragons shot 23 more than Walters State.

"Hutch has got a great basketball team. They played hard, they played well, and he's done a great job with them," said Walters State coach Dave Kragel. "But they played just as physical as we did, and we get to the foul line six times and they shoot 29 free throws.

"I've been here many times. That's not a very good situation."

Purcell finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. Bloom added 11 points.

Hutchinson will play in the NJCAA title game for the second consecutive season, and third time in four years - but the Blue Dragons have settled for runner-up each time.

"Our sophomores experienced that last year," Ontjes said. "I think it's going to be a special year for Kansas."