Fittingly, two sophomores paced Hesston in scoring. Mishaun Pfannenstiel (Inman, Kan.), a fixture in the Larks’ offense in the last two years, scored 18 points to lead the way. Mallory Schroeder (Newton, Kan.) added 17 points in her final home game in a Hesston uniform. Freshman Destavia Davis (Nacogdoches, Texas) added 10 points in the win.

Hesston travels to Salina, Kan., on Tuesday, March 6, to take on Brown Mackie College in the first round of the NJCAA Region VI playoffs.

Five Hesston players scored in double figures in the rout, led by sophomore Mishaun Pfannenstiel’s (Inman, Kan.) game-high 20 points. Others who reached double-digits were Rachel Miller (Hutchinson, Kan.) with 15, Marissa Vermillion (Halstead, Kan.) and Mallory Schroeder (Newton, Kan.) with 11 each and Destavia Davis (Nacogdoches, Texas) with 10.

Now 14-12 on the year, Hesston travels to Salina, Kan., to take on Brown Mackie College on Saturday, Feb. 18, beginning at 2 p.m.

“Our sophomores have shown tremendous grit this season,” said women’s coach Dan Harrison. “They’ve battled injuries but have kept playing hard and have represented the college and program well. Their leadership and good natures will be missed. This year’s sophomores have been part of some of the biggest wins in the program’s history.”

“I’m excited for our sophomores,” said men’s coach Dustin Galyon. “It will be a great game and I’m excited to honor this outstanding group. This class of young men is exceptional. They’ve made many contributions towards building our program and to the Hesston College community.”

During halftime of the men’s game, fans will be treated to a performance by the Haven Trash Cats. Under the direction of Brad Shores, the high-energy drum corp comprised of Haven (Kan.) High students has performed at numerous festivals, basketball games and other events. 

“We want to thank our sophomores for great basketball in Yost Center the past two years,” said Director of Alumni and Church Relations Dallas Stutzman. “Their academic achievements and contributions to the Hesston campus community have been tremendous. Coupled with tremendous entertainment by the Trash Cats, it will be a fun night. ”

Mishaun Pfannenstiel (Inman, Kan.) again led all scorers with 23 points. The sophomore guard also pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds for the double-double. Destavia Davis (Nacogdoches, Texas) scored 17 points and Marissa Vermillion (Halstead, Kan.) added 12 for the Larks.

The Larks travel to North Central Missouri College (Trenton) on Saturday, Feb. 11 for a 2 p.m. game. Hesston is 12-3 in its last 15 games.

Mishaun Pfannenstiel (Inman, Kan.) led all scorers with 24 points, while Marissa Vermillion (Halstead, Kan.) added 13. Freshman guard Rachel Miller (Hutchinson, Kan.) came close to a triple-double with nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Winners of 11 of the last 14 games, Hesston will look to continue its winning ways when the Larks host Manhattan (Kan.) Christian College on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

Sophomore guard Mallory Schroeder (Newton, Kan.) hit a dramatic three-pointer as time expired to give Hesston the win. Down as many as 18, the Larks stormed back during the final 11 minutes to earn their first Region VI victory of the year.

Mishaun Pfannenstiel (Inman, Kan.) poured in 25 points to lead the way, including nine in the last three minutes. Destavia Davis (Nacogdoches, Texas) added 15 points and six assists. 

Winners of 10 of the last 13 games, the Larks look to continue their recent hot streak when they play at Southeast CC (Beatrice, Neb.) on Saturday, Feb 4 at 2 p.m.

The season didn’t necessarily get off to a glowing start, as coach Dan Harrison’s team dropped seven of its first eight and was staring at a 1-7 record as Thanksgiving arrived. However, the last two months, the Larks have made up for lost time.

The turnaround started during the Larks’ annual two-day Thanksgiving Classic with a hard-fought 55-51 win over NJCAA Div. I Barton Community College. The following night, Hesston feasted on the Bethel College JV defense, cruising by the Threshers for an 85-70 win. Suddenly, the Larks had some life. After dispatching Allen Community College, another Div. I program, by a 59-51 count on Dec. 3, Hesston was beginning to hit its stride.

The Larks’ success has been aided by their recent good health. Rachel Miller (Hutchinson, Kan.), a key freshman recruit from Haven (Kan.) High, didn’t see her first action of the season until the Barton game. Since then, the scrappy guard has averaged more than 26 minutes per game during Hesston’s 9-3 stretch. Destavia Davis (Nacogdoches, Texas), another freshman point guard, missed time early in the season. Mallory Schroeder (Newton, Kan.), an all-region guard last season, didn’t see her first action until January due to a knee injury. In the last four games, Schroeder has averaged more than 12 points per game.

“Successful teams have outstanding guards,” Harrison said. “We have two great point guards with Rachel and Destavia but we struggled when we couldn’t get them on the floor. Now that both are back, our offense is flowing and our defense is more aggressive and intense. Mallory gives us another sophomore leader in the mix and another perimeter shooter.”

With six of Hesston’s remaining 10 games slated for the friendly confines of Yost Center, Hesston will look to build momentum as the Larks head towards the NJCAA Region VI post season. Hesston hosts Brown Mackie College in a key Region VI game at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Down 35-30 at the break, the Larks outscored Southwestern 52-40 in the final 20 minutes to claim the victory.

Mishaun Pfannenstiel (Inman, Kan.) led a balanced Hesston offense with 21 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Three other Hesston players reached double figures, including Destavia Davis (Nacogdoches, Texas) with 17, Mallory Schroeder (Newton, Kan.) with 16 and Rachel Miller (Hutchinson, Kan.) with 13. 

Hesston looks to even its record with a road game on Tuesday night, Jan. 24, when the Larks take on Tabor College JV (Hillsboro, Kan.), beginning at 6 p.m.

Sophomore guards Mishaun Pfannenstiel (Inman, Kan) and Mallory Schroeder (Newton, Kan.) led Hesston with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Amber Mayer (Wichita, Kan.) added seven points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Following a 1-7 start to the year, Hesston has now won seven of nine games to improve its season record to 8-9. The Larks will have a chance to reach the .500 mark when they host Cottey College (Nevada, Mo.) on Saturday, Jan. 21, beginning at 2 p.m.

Sophomore Marissa Vermillion (Halstead, Kan.) poured in a season-high 24 points, including a 5-for-9 showing from beyond the arc. Dani Stauffer (Burlington, Iowa) added 11 points and a team-high 11 rebounds in the win. After intermission, Hesston turned a close game into a blowout by outscoring Union 35-19 in the final 20 minutes.

Following a win due to forfeit in a January 16 scheduled game, Hesston’s record now stands at 7-9. Up next is a road trip to Bartlesville, Okla., for a 5 p.m. game against Oklahoma Wesleyan University JV.