Joel Hutfles

For the past 37 years the Kansas state record for most steals recorded in a high school basketball game stood at 14 set by a Wellsville player in 1982.

That record is now gone, as Wetmore senior boys basketball player Joel Hutfles set the new state record in Friday’s win over Linn recording 17 steals in the 62-39 victory.

Hutfles delivered an all-around game in Friday’s win, as he also recorded 19 points and pulled down 22 rebounds to go along with the 17 steals.

All of that came after another big performance in a loss to begin the week, as he poured in 21 points in the Cardinals road loss to Troy Tuesday 67-54.

On the season Hutfles is averaging just over 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals per game while emerging quickly as one of the top players in the loaded Twin Valley League.

He was named a first team all-TVL selection a season ago, and is poised to make a run at an all-state selection this season.

Hutfles and the Cardinals are off to a 6-12 start to the year with just one game remaining in the regular season, as Wetmore is scheduled to host Doniphan West on Tuesday night.