Bryan Miller & the Hutchinson Salthawks

By Blake Chadwick

The Hutchinson

Salthawks have always been a force in high school basketball, and this year they have ascended back to the top.

But before alum Bryan Miller decided it was time to return home to coach, Hutchinson had struggled. It was time to change the Salthawk culture.

The Salthawks are 21-1 and one of the favorites in a deep Class 5A to win the state championship.

“To be able to bring a buzz back to Hutchinson, my hometown, has been unbelievable,” Miller said.

“Hutch High is a special place, and I’m blessed to be a small part of it.”

In just his third year, the Salthawks have already fully adapted to Miller’s hard-nosed style of basketball.

“Our mindset is just that: play hard, play with details and play for the guy next to you,” Miller said. Hutchinson’s gritty play led to its 18-0 start, which included a Dodge

City Tournament of Champions

title.

The key to the Salthawks’ success is their ability to have multiple guys lead them every night. Senior Garrett Robertson has been a huge part of the senior leadership of this year for Hutchinson.

“Our seniors have been amazing, and someone different each night has stepped up and made the plays necessary to win,” Miller said. “No one in our locker room cares about their stats. They are truly excited when their teammates have a big night and will do

whatever it takes to win.”

Hutchinson’s tough regular season will prove helpful as the Salthawks look to right the wrongs of the past and get a class 5A state championship.

“(Class) 5A is, in my humble opinion, the toughest level in the state this year,” Miller said.”Not to take anything from 6A, but the parody from top to bottom is unbelievable. There are a legitimate 10 or so teams that can make a serious push to win a state title.”