NPCC Knights – Page 29 – North Platte Post Archive

NPCC Knights Lose to Western Nebraska on the Road

Posted on February 14, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights lost to the Western Nebraska Community College Cougars on Saturday afternoon 83-65 in a National Junior College Athletic Association Region IX South Sub-Region contest.

The Knights fall to 20-6 and 10-3 in Region IX play. With the loss the Knights drop to second place in the Region IX South Sub-Region standings behind Northeastern Junior College. The Cougars are 12-15 overall and 8-6 in sub-region play. The Cougars are currently fourth in the sub-region standings.

The Cougars jumped out to an 11-4 lead with 16:02 left in the first half. The Knights rallied to tie the score at 20 with 11:31 to play in the half on a field goal by Cameron Williams. The Cougars went on another run to take the lead 34-25 with 5:38 to play. The Knights went on an 8-0 run to close out the half and only trail at halftime 34-33.

In the second half, the Knights had the lead with 13:03 to play 50-47. The Cougars then went on a 16-2 run to retake the lead 63-52 with six minutes to go on a three-pointer by Chase Mason. Mason hit four three-pointers down the stretch to put the game out of reach.

The Knights were led in scoring by Cameron Williams with 22 points to lead all scorers. Two other Knights scored in double figures: CJ Polk had 14 points and Matt Thomas had 10 points. Marco Pascolo had six rebounds to lead the Knights.

The Cougars out-rebounded the Knights 46-27. Another key to the game was that in the first half the Cougars committed 14 turnovers and only had four in the second half.

The Cougars were led in scoring by Preston Christensen with 20 points. Chase Mason was next in scoring with 19 points. Mason scored 16 points in the second half. The third Cougar to score in double figures was Diante Mitchell, who finished with 14 points. Davis Carter led the Cougars in rebounding with seven.

The Knights travel to Cheyenne, Wyo. on Wednesday, Feb. 18 to play Laramie County Community College. Laramie County is currently third in the South Sub-Region with a 9-4 record. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CST.

NPCC Knights Upset By Eastern Wyoming

Posted on February 14, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights were upset by the Eastern Wyoming Lancers Friday night at the Verl Petsch Jr Activities Center and Gymnasium 59-58.

The Lancers started off the scoring by jumping out to a 5-0 lead. The Knights led at halftime 27-26.

In the second half the Knights led by as much as eight, 48-40 and had a 58-54 lead with 1:01 left to play.

The Lancers cut the lead to 58-56 with 17.4 seconds left. Cameron Williams of the Knights was fouled and sent to the free throw line. Williams missed the front end of a one and one and Eastern Wyoming got the rebound. The Lancers set up a play for the final shot and with 1.1 seconds left Rich Williams drained a three-pointer to give the Lancers the win. Matt Thomas put up a shot at the buzzer that hit the back of the rim.

The Knights fall to 20-5 and 10-2 in the Region IX South Sub-region. The Lancers are 8-18 overall and 2-11 in Sub-region play

The Knights were led in scoring by Williams with 20 points. With the 20 points, Williams has scored exactly 1000 points in his career as a Knight. The only other Knight to score in double figures was CJ Polk who scored 11 points. Polk, Riley Rice and Marco Pascolo led the Knights in rebounding with five each. Polk also dished out three assists along with Thomas.

The Lancers had two players in double figures led by Williams with 21 points. Arthur Santanna had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Knights look to get back on the winning track when they play Western Nebraska on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Cougar Palace in Scottsbluff. Game time is at 4:00 p.m. CST. The game may be heard on ESPN Radio 1410. It can also be heard on www.northplattepost.com.

NPCC Lady Knights Lose to Eastern Wyoming

Posted on February 14, 2015

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights were defeated by the Eastern Wyoming Lady Lancers 63-53 on Friday Night at the Verle Petsch Jr. Activities Center and Gymnasium.

The Lady Lancers led 13-11 with 14:25 to play in the first half. The Lady Knights outscored the Lady Lancers the remainder of the half 26-14 to take a 37-27 lead at the half.

During the second half the Lady Lancers outscored the Lady Knights 36-16 to get the win.

The Lady Knights in the first half shot 14 for 35 from the floor and five for eight from behind the arc. In the second half they made six field goals out of 25 attempts and one for seven from the arc.

The Lady Knights were led in scoring by April Stull who finished with 18 points. Aliyah Brown finished with 11 points . Sarah Mahr led the Lady Knights in rebounding with 10 rebounds.

The Lady Lancers had four players score in double figures led by Jordan Nelson with 16 points. The others were Kara Babula with 14, Asia Roper with 12, and Joanna Perez with 11. Babula led the Lady Lancers in rebounding with 6 rebounds.

The Lady Knights return to action Sunday on the road against Doane College JV. Next Friday the Lady Knights return to McDonald-Belton Gymnasium to face Southeast Community College in a very important matchup in the Region IX Division II standings. The night is designated as “Girl Scout Night” and Elementary Night. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. CST.

NPCC Knights Softball Lose Two against Grayson College in Heartbreakers

Posted on February 14, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights lost a couple of heartbreakers to the Grayson College Lady Vikings 7-6 and 11-10 in eight innings to drop to 0-6 on the season.

Knights Head Coach Janell Higgins said “We lost a hard fought two games. Losing is tough and even harder when on the road but we are making strides forward every game. We hit the ball well today. Our defense was strong and weak at the same time. We made the tough plays and struggled to make the routine plays. Our girls showed a tremendous amount of fight and played as a team. I am very proud of them for their effort.”

In the first game the Knights jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Sara Villalobos scored on a single by Shelby Clark. The Lady Vikings took the lead in the bottom half of the second scoring two runs.

The Knights took the lead in the top of the third with runs by Caroline Motis and Jazmin Chang on a single by Brittney Odum. Grayson tied the score in the bottom of the third when Whitlock doubled to center scoring Logan Pennartz.

The Knights scored three runs in the fifth inning by Andrea Quiroga, Jazmin Chang and Brittney Odum to give them a 6-4 lead. The Lady Viking’s Chelsea Whitlock scored on an error by the Knights in the fifth cutting the Knights lead to 6-5.

The Lady Vikings took the lead for good in the sixth inning on runs by Boyd and Pennartz on a single by Christina Guckes to centerfield.

Shannon Lieber took the loss for the Knights. Lieber pitched six innings, allowed eight hits, seven runs of which three were earned. Lieber struck out two and walked two.

The Lady Vikings’s Megan Rosewell pitched seven innings to get the win. Rosewell allowed only one earned run on four hits, striking out six Knights and walking two.

Andrea Quiroga led the Knights in game one offensively by going one for two with one run scored and a double and a stolen base.

In game two , Lady Vikings jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Knights battled back by scoring two runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Vikings took the lead, 8-4 with a six-run inning of its own in the fourth. The Lady Vikings scored on a solo home run by Jordan Gundersen, a single by Christina Guckes, and a single by Taren Dillion.

The Knights came back and cut into the Lady Viking lead when Tara Crouch singled. Shannon Lieber doubled scoring Crouch and then Sara Villalobos two-run homerun for three runs in the inning to make the score 8-7 in favor of the Lady Vikings. The Knights tied the score in the sixth on a run by Crouch on an error by the Lady Vikings leftfielder Rachel Morgan.

The Knights took the lead in the seventh when Sara Runia homered. In the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Vikings’ Marlee Boyd homered to tie the game and send the game to extra innings.

In the eighth inning the Knights scored the go ahead run when Shannon Lieber doubled and then scored on a single by Sara Runia. In the Lady Viking’s eighth Chelsea Whitlock singled to left field and was sacrificed to third by Brooklin Olson. With two outs in the inning, the game ended on a controversial home run by Goodman with Olson on base.

Shannon Lieber led the offense for the Knights in the second game going three for five with three doubles, three run scored and one run batted in. Sara Runia and Sara Villalobos added a home run each. Shelby Clark added a triple, scored a run and knocked one run in.

Baileigh Oleson pitched 7.2 innings but took the loss.

The Lady Vikings had three players with home runs: Marlee Boyd, McKensie Goodman, and Jordan Gunderson. Gunderson had three hits for the Lady Vikings in five at bats with two runs scored and two runs batted in.

McKensie Goodman picked up the win in relief. Goodman struck out five Knights in 3.2 innings pitched.

The Knights will finish up their weekend by travelling to play Murray State College in Oklahoma in a double header. Game times are at 2 pm. and 4 pm. CST.

Big Innings Doom NPCC Knights Softball in Sweep by Barton

Posted on February 13, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights Softball team were swept in a double header by the Barton Community College Cougars 9-3 and 9-1 on a cold and windy Thursday afternoon.

Knights Coach Janelle Higgins said that the temperature was in the low 30’s and there was a stiff 15 mile per hour wind.

“Some of our girls are not use to playing in this cold of weather.” Higgins said.

Game one started out with the Knights taking a 2-0 lead in the first. After Caroline Motis singled and Jazmin Chang was hit by a pitch, Brittney Odum doubled to drive Motis and Chang in. The Cougars tied the score in the first on a double by Jenna Hosey which scored Bailey Hensley who walked. The Cougars threatened to score in the third when they had the bases loaded. Shannon Lieber , the Knights pitcher was able to get out of the inning when Holly Posegate grounded out to Lieber to end the inning. The Knights took the lead in the fifth inning on a Brittney Odum home run to make the score 3-2. In the bottom of the fifth the Cougars did their damage. They scored four runs capped off by a three-run home run by Kylie Everil to give the Cougars the lead 6-3. They added three more runs in the sixth inning, including a two-run home run by Hensley.

Odum led the Knights offensively going 3-4 with two doubles and a home run. Odum knocked in all three runs and scored one run.

Shannon Lieber took the loss but pitched a complete game and allowed only two earned runs on seven hits..

In the second game, the Knights scored early to take the lead 1-0 on a single by Sara Villalobos, driving in Motis. The Cougars scored six runs in the second inning to blow the game open. Erica Harper hit a three-run home run to highlight the Cougar second. Posegate added a solo home run in the third inning and Hensley tripled and scored a run in the fourth.

Knights starting pitcher Baileigh Oleson took the loss for the Knights. Oleson pitched two innings, allowed four hits, six runs, zero runs were earned.

Villalobos went 2 for 2 from the plate and drove in the lone run for the Knights.

Barton pitcher Taylor Bugner pitched five innings and gave up one run on five hits to get the win.

Higgins said: “We are a young team and need to play through the kinks. Brittney had a good first game offensively and Shannon pitched well for us. We need to cut down on errors .”

The Knights had six errors on the day. All of them led to runs for Barton.

The Knights continue their southern road trip Friday when they travel to Denison, Texas to play Grayson College. Game times are at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m CST.

NPCC Knights Face Sub-Region Foes on the Road

Posted on February 12, 2015February 12, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights take to the road this weekend for two National Junior College Athletic Association Region IX South Sub-region games.

The Knights go into the weekend with a 20-4 record overall and 10-1 in the South Sub-region. The Knights are currently leading Region IX – South. Cameron Williams leads the Knights in scoring with a 22.5 points per game average. Williams leads the South Sub-Region and is 11^th in the nation in scoring. Marco Pascolo is second on the team in scoring with an 11.5 points per game average and leads the team in rebounding with 8.1 rebounds per game. Shyquinn Dix is the other Knight to average in double figures. Dix is averaging 10.8 points per game.

On Friday night, the Knights travel to Torrington, Wyo. to face the Eastern Wyoming College Lancers. The Lancers are 7-18 on the season and 1-11 in the South Sub-region. The Lancers are led in scoring by Kalil Potts with a 15.3 points per game average. Rich Williams, 10.8 points per game is the only other Lancer averaging in double figures. Nelson Kahler and Jeff Uju lead the Lancers in rebounding with 5.6 and 5.4 rebounds per game respectively. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. CST.

On Saturday, the Knights travel to Scottsbluff, Neb. to take on the Western Nebraska Community College Cougars. The Cougars are 10-15 on the season and 6-6 in the South Sub-region. The Cougars are currently fourth in the sub-region standings. The top four places will host a first round game of the Region IX Tournament later in the season. The Cougars are led in scoring by Preston Christensen, who is averaging 17.7 points per game. Following him is Diante Mitchell. Mitchell is averaging 16.4 points per game. The third Cougar to average in double figures is Damion Rashford, averaging 16.2 points per game. Rashford and Julio Guity lead the Cougars in rebounding with 5.3 rebounds per game each.

Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. CST, and can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 or on www.northplattepost.com .

NPCC Lady Knights Travel to Eastern Wyoming

Posted on February 12, 2015

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights travel to Torrington, Wyo. to play the Eastern Wyoming College Lady Lancers on Friday, Feb 13 at the Verle Petsch Jr. Activities Center and Gymnasium.

The Lady Knights who are 12-10 on the season are led in scoring by April Stull. Stull is averaging 15.7 points per game. Stull also leads the Lady Knights in rebounding with 8.6 rebounds per game. Aliyah Brown is the other Lady Knight to average in double figures with 10 points per game. Brown also has 3.6 steals per game.

The Lady Lancers are 16-9 on the season and have four players averaging in double figures. Joanna Perez leads with 14.2 points per game, Kara Babola averages 13.5 points per game, Asia Roper scores 10.1 points per game, and Arriel Fort is averaging 10 points per game. Babola leads the Lady Lancers in rebounding with 6.8 rebounds per game.

The Lady Lancers defeated the Lady Knights on January 10 by a score of 54-40.

NPCC Knights on the Road This Weekend with Six Games in Three Days

Posted on February 11, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights softball team travel down south to play six games in three days this weekend.

The Knights are 0-2 on the season, falling to Colby Community College in a doubleheader. The Knights are led at the plate by Jazmin Chang and Shannon Lieber, both are hitting .333. Chang has two stolen bases and Caroline Motis and Sara Runia each have one double. Lieber leads the pitching staff with a 1.17 earned run average in six innings pitched.

Knights coach Janelle Higgins said, “This weekend will be a good test for us and our endurance.”

The Knights start out on Thursday when they travel to play the Barton County Community College Cougars in Great Bend, Kan. The Cougars are 2-0 on the season after defeating Bethany College 11-3 and 9-3. In the wins against Bethany College Holly Posegate led the Lady Cougars in hitting by going four for six and one home run. Posegate also was the winning pitcher in the first game pitching a complete game and allowing four hits and three earned runs. Game times against the Cougars are at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m CST.

On Friday, the Knights travel to Denison, Texas to play the Grayson College Lady Vikings. The Lady Vikings are 2-2 on the season. The Lady Vikings are led at the plate by Moriah Mitcheson. Mitcheson is batting .500 going five for ten on the season with one home run. Marlee Boyd is 6 for 13 at the plate and has hit two home runs in the early season. The Lady Vikings pitchers are led by Jordan Gunderson who has a 0.58 earned run average in 12 innings pitched. Gunderson has allowed one earned run and 14 hits in her two games. Megan Rosewell is 1-1 with a 6.52 earned run average and McKensie Goodmen is 0-1 with a 4.20 earned run average. Game times against Grayson College are at 1 p.m and 3 p.m. CST.

Saturday the Lady Knights finish their weekend road trip by travelling to Tishomingo, OK to play the Murray State College Lady Aggies. The Lady Aggies are 1-5 on the young season. They split a doubleheader with Grayson College, losing 13-5, and then winning 7-6. Game times against Murray State are at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m CST.

Former Knight Nick Tomsick Takes His Skills to Germany

Posted on February 11, 2015

Former North Platte Community College Knights basketball player Nick Tomsick has taken his skills to Germany to play for the BBG Herford team in the Regonalliga league.

Tomsick made his debut on Feb. 7 for Herford against Baskets Lüdenscheid. Tomsick was only able to attend one practice with Herford after a 30 hour long journey to Germany before his debut.

Tomsick said that he got to Germany mid-day on Thursday, practiced on Friday, and then started at point guard on Saturday.

“I had to learn two offenses, five plays, four defenses in German and some in English then started the game at point guard on Saturday,” Tomsick said.

During that game Tomsick scored 18 points, had seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in 21 minutes of playing time.

Tomsick said that the Regonalliga league that he plays in is not the Euroleague. In the Euroleague there are different teams in it each year.

Tomsick said, “You have to qualify from your country the previous year, so you have many teams from different countries in that each country has its own leagues. If you win the current league you are in you get to move up a league.”

The league that Tomsick plays in only allows one American on the team. Playing in a foreign country Tomsick has to overcome some language barriers.

Tomsick said, “Some players speak better than others. My coach speaks good English but uses German in practice and games most the time, unless he is speaking to me directly. I have one player here who usually translates in practice or tells me what to do if I do not understand.”

Tomsick, a native of Scottsdale, Arizona, played for the Knights during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. He was a first team All-Region IX player for the Knights in the 2011-2012 season. He finished his career with the Knights with 956 points, which is currently 19th on the Knights all-time scoring list. During his sophomore season with the Knights, Tomsick led the NJCAA Region IX and ranked third in the nation in scoring at 22.3 points per game. He also added 3.6 rebounds per game.

Tomsick said, “North Platte Community College and Coach Kevin O’Connor prepared me to be successful and be able to adjust in any situation that I have experienced including playing at Fort Lewis College and moving across the world to play in Germany, and for that I’m grateful.”

After Tomsick left North Platte Community College, he went to Fort Lewis College in Colorado. Fort Lewis is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in NCAA Division II. Tomsick played for Fort Lewis during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. During his senior season, Tomsick averaged 20.0 points per game 3.1 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game.

Tomsick graduated from Fort Lewis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a Management option in May of 2014.

During his two years at Fort Lewis Tomsick left his mark at the four year school. He scored 1020 points, ranks 12th all-time in the Fort Lewis College career record books in three-point field goals (130) and 16th in free throws (232). He ranked second in both categories all time in a two year span. Tomsick was a team captain his senior year and named to the Second Team All-RMAC team his junior year and First Team All-RMAC his senior year. Tomsick was also selected as the Don Whalen Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year his senior year at Fort Lewis College.

BBG Herford is tied for first in their division with a 13-2 record.

NPCC Lady Knights Basketball Defeats Northwest Kansas Tech

Posted on February 7, 2015

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights defeated the Northwest Kansas Technical College Lady Mavericks 72-48 on Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Knights led at halftime 32-23.

Lady Knight head coach Dick Thurin said, “This was our most complete game. We had balanced scoring, played good team defense, and a lot of people contributed.”

The Lady Knights, 12-10 on the season, were led in scoring by Ester Micheva with 17 points. April Stull added 16 points, which moved her into the top 10 in scoring on the Lady Knights all-time scoring list. Sarah Mahr and T’Keyah Stapleton were the other two Lady Knights in double figures with 13 and 10 points respectively. Maddie Seamann and Mahr led the Lady Knights in rebounding with 5 rebounds each.

The Lady Mavericks, now 7-19 on the year, had two players in double figures. Nasha Bile had 16 points and Rayven Smith had 15 points.

The Lady Knights were to play Monday night at home against York College Junior Varsity. The game has been cancelled. They do return to action on February 13 when they travel to Torrington, Wyoming to play Eastern Wyoming College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CST.