By Matt Browning

The Hutchinson girls basketball team was chosen as the Visit Wichita Team of the Month for February. The Salthawks defeated Salina Central to open the season and Salina South on December 13 and February 3.

Last season, Hutchinson went 16-5 and returned a significant amount of talent to this year’s team.

“Yes, we had high expectations for ourselves going into this season, just like every year,” said Hutchinson coach Conor Reilly. “It’s part of the culture we are trying to create here at Hutchinson High School. “Over the last couple of seasons, we have had really good senior groups that have helped cultivate and establish a mindset that we can bring high energy and effort, which in turn will help us play at a high level. This has allowed us to continue to improve each and every year.”

Grace Posch, Mya Thompson and Aliyah Green were three starters from last season that have been steady performers for the Salthawks this season. Combine that with Nickerson transfer Josie McLean and Hutchinson has a roster capable of a deep postseason run.

“Well, I think every coach’s goal is to make it to state, however, I think we have done a good job setting smaller goals that will hopefully lead us to a state birth,” Reilly said. “We talk about taking it one game at a time. As a team, we have two days to prepare and then on the game day, go out and execute the game plan.  If we do those things we will put ourselves in a position to have great success. and achieve our goal.”