Blue Dragons go to break ranked No. 4

BLUE DRAGONS REMAIN NO. 4 IN NJCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL POLL

The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team will spend the Christmas break as the No. 4 team in the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Poll, which was released on Tuesday.

The Blue Dragons (14-0) remained No. 4 this week despite two quality victories over Northeast Nebraska and Hill College and No. 2 Northwest Florida State College dropping its first game of the season.

Last week, HCC had a first-place vote. This week, the team that leapfrogged the Blue Dragons, Chipola College, has the first-place vote and a two-point lead (358-356) over HCC for third place.

Defending national champion South Plains College remained No. 1 this week. Howard College moved up one to No. 2. After Chipola and Hutchinson is Vincennes University at No. 5.

The Jayhawk Conference has two teams residing in the Top 10 and three in the Top 12. Barton (12-0) is ninth, up one spot. Coffeyville (11-10 remains No. 2

Hutchinson and Palm Beach State College, the team that knocked Northwest Florida from its No. 2 perch, are tied for the most wins in the nation this week with 14.

HCC has now been ranked in eight consecutive NJCAA polls, dating back to last season.

The Blue Dragons are off until opening Jayhawk West play on Jan. 5 at Dodge City and Jan. 7 at the Sports Arena against Garden City.

NJCAA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL POLL

Record Points Last week

1. South Plains College (15) 10-0 398 1

2. Howard College 10-0 375 3

3. Chipola College (1) 13-0 358 5

4. Hutchinson CC 14-0 356 4

5. Vincennes University 11-0 331 6

6. Palm Beach State College 14-0 315 9

7. Iowa Western CC 13-0 310 7

8. Spartanburg Methodist College 12-0 273 8

9. Barton CC 12-0 265 10

10. Northwest Florida State College 10-1 233 2

11. Indian Hills CC 11-1 215 12

12. Coffeyville CC 11-1 212 11

13. North Idaho College 12-1 190 15

14. Gadsden State CC 9-0 179 16

15. San Jacinto College 11-1 159 14

16. Connors State College 12-1 146 17

17. New Mexico Junior College 10-1 137 18

18. Central Arizona College 10-1 118 20

19. Middle Georgia College 9-1 112 13

20. Snow College 11-1 93 24

21. Jones County Junior College 10-0 65 RV

22. Hagerstown CC 12-1 53 RV

23. Lamar State College-Port Arthur 10-1 49 19

24. Marshalltown CC 11-1 43 21

25. Cochise College 10-1 34 RV

Other schools receiving votes: College of Southern Idaho (10-2); Chattahoochee Technical College (10-1); Gulf Coast State College (12-2); Mississippi Gulf Coast CC (11-1); Mineral Area College (12-2); Midland College (8-2); Kilgore College (12-2); Motlow State CC (9-2); Central Wyoming College (11-2); Otero JC (11-2)