Two local athletes signed on to play basketball for Hutchinson Community College this past week. Otis-Bison’s Kyle Patrick will join the HCC men’s squad, while Hutchinson High’s Shayla DeGarmo inked with the women’s team. Patrick is following in the footsteps of his two older sisters, Laura and Jamie, who both suited up for the Blue Dragons. “The fans are always awesome. I guess just being there in that environment over the past couple of years, I’ve enjoyed that,” Patrick said. “I just want to experience that for myself now.” Patrick intends to redshirt next year as he recovers from injuries to his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus. Patrick tore his ACL in January. After sitting out a few weeks, he played out the end of his senior season for Otis-Bison, where his father Erin is the coach. “After sitting out for a week or so and watching my team play without me, and my dad without me, I kind of felt like I was leaving them out there,” Patrick said. “I wanted to work and rehabilitate my knee and try to come back and help them out. That was the main goal. I wasn’t looking past high school at all.” The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Patrick had surgery on the injuries about three weeks ago. Patrick played his first two seasons at Hutchinson Central Christian before transferring to Otis-Bison for his junior and senior years. This past season, Patrick averaged a double-double in points and rebounds for Otis-Bison, as well as six assists per game. Patrick hopes to bulk up over the coming year, and when the time comes, add a superb all-around threat to the Blue Dragon lineup and a last name fans will recognize. “Honestly, shooting is in my family from the 3-point line. I have that in my blood, obviously,” Patrick said. “I’ve been around basketball 24/7, with all my sisters.” The HCC men made the NJCAA quarterfinals this past season. DeGarmo’s decision came down to location – her future Sports Arena home is right across the street from Hutchinson High, where she has spent the past four years. DeGarmo is a three-sport standout for the Salthawks, playing volleyball, basketball and softball. She picked the sport with the least mileage for her as she readies for the college level. “I haven’t played basketball as much, so I feel like I’m not as burnt out,” DeGarmo said. “I play it during season only. Softball there is fall ball, summer ball, school ball. Basketball I didn’t really play MAYB as much.” That means plenty of potential growth for the 5-foot-4 point guard who can light it up from the 3-point line. DeGarmo joins an HCC women’s team that has finished as the NJCAA runner-up in three of the past four seasons. “It is intimidating, because they have a great record and make nationals, like runner-up every year,” DeGarmo said. “But it is exciting to get that feeling – hopefully next year, too.”