The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team opened up their season by going 1-1 in the Hampton Inn Classic at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.

On Saturday, the Lady Knights defeated the Midland University Junior Varsity Lady Warriors, 77-62.  The Lady Warriors led early and held a 22-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.  12 of the 22 points for the Lady Warriors were from three-point field goals.  The Lady Warriors continued to lead at halftime by a score of 40-38 with their continued use of the three-point shot making a total of eight in the first half on 13 attempts.

In the third quarter with the Lady Warriors leading 53-48, the Lady Knights went on a 23-0 run to take the lead in the fourth quarter 71-53.  The Lady Warriors outscored the Lady Knights down the stretch 9-6, but the Lady Knights were able to hold on for the win.

The Lady Knights had four players in double figures led by Djimonii Jackson with 16 points.  Maddie Seamann and Mickenzie Brennan each contributed 13 points.  Sarah Mahr came off the bench and added 12.  Jackson also had nine rebounds to lead the Lady Knights.

The Lady Warriors Marquel Harlan and Molly Milbrandt led all scorers with 17 points each.  Adavia Harlan was the only other Lady Warrior to reach double figures in scoring with 11 points.  Katie Koenig grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Lady Warriors.

On Sunday afternoon, the Lady Knights faced a talented Air Force Prep team and were defeated 71-67.

Lady Knights Head Coach Richard Thurin said, “They (Air Force Prep) are a good team.  We played hard and got some help from our bench.”

Thurin added, ” We played hard and didn’t give up.”

Air Force Prep led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter and extended their lead to 38-30 at halftime. At the six minute mark in the third quarter, Air Force Prep held their largest lead at 48-33.  In the fourth quarter the Lady Knights outscored Air Force Prep 21-15 to cut the final deficit to seven.

Mahr, who came off the bench, led the Lady Knights with 14 points.  Brennan added 12 as the only other Lady Knight to score in double figures.  Zulema Viescas, the 5’ 2” guard from El Paso, Texas grabbed, eight rebounds to lead the Lady Knights.

Thurin said, “They weren’t boxing Zulema out and she was able to grab the rebounds.”

Air Force Prep had balanced scoring with four of the seven who played scoring in double figures led by Mariah Forde, who scored a game high 21 points.  Patricia Rosich added 15, Kassady Huffman added  14 and Jenn Urbaniak added 12 points.  Huffman also grabbed eight rebounds to lead Air Force Prep.

The Lady Knights are in action next weekend when they travel to Norfolk to play in the Hawks Classic.