The regular season Jayhawk Conference and Region 6 champions, Hutchinson highlight the KJCCC postseason awards with recognition coming for several top players in the Conference.
Complete list of 2023-24 Awards
Coach of the Year: John Ontjes, Hutchinson
Coach John Ontjes guided the Hutchinson Blue Dragons back to the top of the KJCCC as they claimed their first KJCCC title since 2019 and 13th in program history with 10 coming under Coach Ontjes. With a number one ranking in the nation to their name the Blue Dragons for the fourth time in program history capped the regular season undefeated and would go on to win their ninth Region title (eighth under Coach Ontjes) by winning the Region 6 Tournament to earn a trip to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. The trip to nationals is the 12th in program history and the 11th under Coach Ontjes. The Blue Dragons enter the National Tournament with a perfect 33-0 record; the 30+ wins are the eighth time in school history with 30+ wins in a season.
Player of the Year & Freshman of the Year: Kiki Smith, Hutchinson
Kiki Smith wasted no time making her impact felt for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons this season helping guide them to their first KJCCC title since 2019, along with the Region 6 championship, and a NJCAA Division I National Tournament bid, along with a #1 ranking in the nation. The freshman earned not only Freshman of the Year but also Player of the Year in the KJCCC for the exceptional season she's put together. She led the Blue Dragons in scoring with 17.7 points per game on 55.4% shooting which ranks #1 in the KJCCC, while filling out the stat sheet with 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. Smith in conference play would average nearly one more point per game at 18.6 points per game.
Newcomer of the Year & Defensive Player of the Year: Parris Atkins, Dodge City
Parris Atkins burst onto the scene in the KJCCC making an impact every night for Dodge City after transferring to the Conquistadors. Atkins earns both the Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards after helping the Conqs finish second in the KJCCC along with being ranked in the Top 20 and earning a trip to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. She averaged 14.5 points per game during the season on 46.9% shooting while adding 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. Her 86 steals rank 22nd in the nation and fifth in the KJCCC.