La Junta, CO – The No. 7 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team’s (18-1, 8-1 South Sub-Region) finished out their seven game road swing to start 2014 with a victory over the Otero Junior College Rattlers (16-6, 5-4 South Sub-Region) by a score of 88-62.

The Knights played with a great defensive intensity to start the game as they scored the first 10 points of the game before letting the Rattlers on the scoreboard. The Knights never let the Rattlers get into an offensive rhythm during the whole game on their way to the victory. North Platte would maintain their advantage to take a 36-23 lead into intermission.Marco Pascolo and Cameron Williams were the only two players in double-figures at the break as Pascolo hit four 3-pointers for 12 points and Williams had 10 points.

In the second half the Knights picked up where they left on and continued to maintain their advantage and increase it. For the game, the Knights would shoot 50 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Rattlers 39 to 18.

“We played a pretty complete basketball game,” said assistant coach Nathan Wieseler. “We had a couple guys step up off the bench and make some plays which was great to see. After not playing at home for over a month we are excited to play in front of our home crown this week.”

The Knights put four players in double-figures, once again led by Ethan Montalvo who scored 24 points in the game including 12 of 13 from the free throw line. Williams and Pascolo both finished with 17 points and Tim Simmons scored 11. Williams led the Knights with seven assists and Jacob Maslo and Aireon Porter both pulled down seven rebounds.

“It was a hard fought victory,” said Williams. “I tried to be aggressive and put pressure on their defense then find my teammates for open shots. I am excited to play at home on Wednesday.”

Chris Golden was the only Rattler in double-figures as he finished with 16 points on 3 of 11 shooting.

The Knights return home for the first time in 2014 on Wednesday Jan. 29 to face the McCook Community College Indians (14-6, 5-3 South Sub-Region) at 7:30 p.m. in a Region IX and Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference contest.

The Knights then host the Hastings College JV the next day on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. On Saturday Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. the Knights host Central Community College to finish up the three game home stand before heading back onto the road for their last three road games of the year.

All three home games will be broadcast live by Coaches Aid and ASBN. A link to all live broadcasted games is available on the Knights webpage at www.npccknights.com.

Fremont – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team (9-9, 1-1 Region IX Division II) evened their record on Saturday afternoon as they defeated the Midland University JV on the road 75-54 behind another strong performance from DaVontaye Merritt.

The Lady Knights got off to a hot start Saturday and never looked back as they cruised to victory. In the first twenty minutes the Lady Knights out-scored the Lady Warriors 37-23 on 44 percent shooting while holding Midland JV to 22 percent shooting from the field.

In the second half the Lady Knights would extend their lead by winning the half 38-31 to earn the 21 point victory. The Lady Knights ended up shooting 43 percent from the field while holding the Lady Warriors to 31 percent for the game. The Lady Knights also forced Midland JV into 31 turnovers.

“It was good to have four girls in double-figures,” said head coach Richard Thurin. “Our press forced them into turnovers and we shot well from the field at 42 percent.”

DaVontaye Merritt again led the Lady Knights as she finished one rebound shy of another double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Courtney Widick chipped in 13 for the Lady Knights and Jordan Dickerson and Kirra Hill-Carter were also in double-figures with 10 points each.

The Lady Warriors placed three players in double-figres led by Miranda Paul and Montana Hinrichs who each scored 12. Breanna Bentley finished with 10 points.

The Lady Knights return home on Tuesday after five straight home games starting. The Lady Knights host the York College JV on Jan 28 at 7:20 p.m. The Lady Knights play the McCook Community College Lady Indians (3-16) the next day on Wednesday Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m.

The Lady Knights finish out the week as they host the Central Community College Lady Raiders (15-6, 1-0 Region IX Division II). All three games will be broadcast live online with links available on the Knights website through the partnership with Coaches Aid and ASBN.

Trinidad, CO – The No. 7 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team’s (17-1, 7-1 South Sub-Region) survived the hot shooting Trinidad State Junior College Trojans (8-12, 1-6 South Sub-Region) who hit 18 3-points Friday night in overtime 99-92.

The Knights continued their streak of starting off games fast as they jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first nine minutes of the game. The Trojans would not go quietly on their home floor as they battled back to take 38-37 lead into the locker room. Trinidad State shot the ball well from the 3-point line in the half as they made 3 of 7 for 43 percent, but it was nothing like the shooting performance the Trojans would put on in the second half.

The Trojans were able to hold on to their lead for much of the half as they shot 14 of 20 from the 3-point line, good for a 70 percent average. The Knights took the Trojans best punch and were able to hang in the game. During the last few minutes of regulation the teams would battle back and forth as neither team could take more than two point advantage.

With 28 seconds left, the Knights had the ball down 83-81. Ethan Montalvo was knocked to the ground with 10 seconds left and went to the foul line with a chance to tie the game. He knocked down both free throws to tie the game. Joe Smith had a final opportunity to win the game in regulation but Tim Simmons forced him into a double-pump fade away shot to send the game into regulation.

In overtime the Knights got on the board first on a lay-up from Marco Pascolo and were able to outscore the Trojans 16-9 in overtime behind Ethan Montalvo who was perfect from the free throw line.

Montalvo again led the way for the Knights as he finished with 22 points as he was perfect from the field and the free throw line as he was 3 of 3 and 15 of 15 respectively. Tim Simmons shouldered a larger scoring burden as he scored 21 points. Marco Pascolo had 20 points on 4 of 5 shooting from the 3-point line. Aireon Porter and Jake Maslo both had double-doubles as Porter finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds and Maslo had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

“It was a tough battle,” said sophomore Tim Simmons. “We made some plays down the stretch to come out with the win.”

Joe Smith led the Trojans with 25 points on 6 of 7 shooting from behind the 3-point line. Trinidad State had four other players in double-figures led by Preston Bungei with 15 while Keouvion McCalop, Kevin DeCristino and Abdullah Musleh all had 11 points.

“It was a tough win,” said head coach Kevin O’Connor. “We let them gain some confidence after a good start. We have to get some rest tonight and bounce back tomorrow.

The Knights are back on the court tomorrow at 4 p.m. CST as they make the trip to La Junta, Colo. to face the Otero Junior College Rattlers (15-5, 4-3 South Sub-Region). In the first rematch of the 2013 Region IX Championship game, the Knights were able to defend their home court as they beat the Rattlers 93-67.

The Knights return home for the first time in 2014 on Wednesday Jan. 29 to face the McCook Community College Indians (14-5, 5-2 South Sub-Region) at 7:30 p.m. in a Region IX and Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference contest.

The Knights then host the Hastings College JV the next day on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. On Saturday Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. the Knights host Central Community College to finish up their three game home stand before heading back onto the road for their last three road games of the year.

Norfolk – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team (8-9, 1-1 DII Region IX Division II) traveled to Norfolk Friday evening and fell to the Northeast Community College Lady Hawks (18-2) by a score of 81-49 after falling behind 43-20 at intermission.

The Lady Knights got off to a slow start against the Lady Hawks and it showed on the scoreboard as Northeast was able to score early and often en route to a 23 points halftime advantage. In the second the Lady Knights were able find more of an offensive rhythm but were unable to win the half as they fell to the Lady Hawks.

Jordan Dickerson led the way for the Lady Knights as she tallied 15 points. DaVontaye Merritt had another double-double as she finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Merritt us averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds in the five games since Christmas break.

Emily Gamble and Alison Klostergaard led the Lady Hawks with 17 points apiece and Klostergaard had a double-double with 10 rebounds. Three other players scored in double-figures for Northeast.

Both teams turned the ball over as North Platte had 25 turnovers and Northeast had 22.

“Tonight was a tough game against a very good team,” said assistant coach Nolan Collins. “We played well in spurts but we have too many lapses. Merritt came up big again tonight ad has been huge for us since coming back from break.”

North Platte remains on the road tomorrow to face the Midland University JV at 2 p.m. in Fremont. The Lady Knights and Lady Warriors faced off in the opening game of the year for the Lady Knights who emerged victorious 74-45.

The Lady Knights return home after five straight home games starting on Tuesday Jan. 28 as they host the York College JV at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Knights then turn around and host the McCook Community College Lady Indians the next day on Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. and the Central Community College Lady Raiders on Feb. 1 at 1 p.m.