NPCC Knights – Page 44 – North Platte Post Archive

NPCC Knights Softball Knocks Off Region IX Division II Foe Southeast

Posted on March 24, 2014

Beatrice – The North Platte Community College softball team (4-11) traveled to Beatrice on Sunday afternoon where they earned two victories over the Southeast Community College Storm (0-17). In the first game of the day the Knights won 12-4 with Shannon Lieber earning the victory on the mound. In the second game, the Knights again emerged victorious by a score of 12-2 with Rylee Murphy earning the victory.

With the victory in the first game, Lieber earned her third victory of the year on the mound. She gave up four hits, one walk and three earned runs to go along with four strikeouts.

Britlee Anderson led the way for the Knights at the plate as she went 3-4 with one run, one RBI and one double. Brooke Wakefield and Lieber each went 2-3 from the plate. Wakefield scored two runs, had one walk and two stolen bases. Lieber had three runs, three RBIs, one walk and a homerun. Soliel Atenza was 1-2 with two runs, one walk, one RBI and one sacrifice. Katharine Savolt was 1-3 with one run, one RBI and a homerun.

In the second game, Murphy earned her first victory of the season giving up four hits, two earned runs, and two walks to go along with five strikeouts.

Lieber and Savolt each went 2-3 from the plate to go along with two runs, two RBIs and one double for Savolt and one run, one homerun and three RBIS for Lieber. Siarra Velasquez and Atenza each went 2-4. Velasquez had two runs, two RBIs, one triple and two stolen bases. Atenza had one run, one triple and two stolen bases. Wakefield rounded up the hits for the Knights as she was 1-2 with two runs, one RBI, one walk and two stolen bases.

“We came out ready to play and scored right away which always helps,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “Our pitchers moved the ball very well to keep their hitters off balanced and our defense stepped up today. Offensively we were aggressive at the plate, we adjusted decently to their pitching staff and got back into making solid connections at the plate and not over striding or swinging.”

“I am very proud of the fight in our team. We are still learning and growing everyday which is always a good thing.”

The Knights have a busy week as they return to action on Monday at home against Williston State College at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Knights and Tetons square off again on Tuesday in another double-header at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The Knights then travel to McCook Community College on Thursday for games at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. before returning home for home games against Iowa Western Community College on March 28 and 29.

NPCC Knights Softball Drop Two against Western Nebraska

Posted on March 18, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College softball team (2-11) dropped a pair of games Monday afternoon to the Western Nebraska Community College (25-7) in North Platte. The Knights were defeated in five innings 6-17 and in six innings 9-1 in the second game of the double header.

In the first game of the day Shannon Lieber took the loss on the mound, giving up four earned runs on 10 hits, one walk and one hit by pitch. Katharine Savolt came on in relief and gave up two earned runs on four hits, two walks and one strikeout.

Siarra Velasquez led the Knights at the plate as she went 2-2 with a walk and three stolen bases. Brooke Wakefield went 2-3 with three RBIs and one stolen base while Britlee Anderson went 2-3 with one RBI. Soliel Atenza went 1-2 with a sacrifice and Lieber went 1-3 with two RBIs.

In the second game of the day, Rylee Murphy was the losing pitcher as she gave up four hits, four earned runs and three walks to go along with one strikeout. Wakefield led the Knights at the plate going 2-3. Sydney Standage went 1-2 and Velasquez went 1-3. Anderson went 0-2 but had one sacrifice and one RBI.

“First innings are huge and we had a ugly first inning in today’s first game,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “We battled back but the damage had already been done. Western Nebraska is a disciplined team both offensively and defensively and capitalized on our errors. We are growing day by day, we take a few strides forward each day and that’s what counts.”

The Knights then return to the road for two double-headers against Iowa Western Community College on March 22 and Southeast Community College on March 23 before returning home to face Williston State College on March 24 and 25.

Montalvo Named 1st Team All-Region IX, Montalvo & Simmons Named All-Region IX Tournament Team

Posted on March 17, 2014

North Platte – Sophomore Ethan Montalvo was named to the 2013-14 All-Region IX 1^st Team for his play during the season. Montalvo and sophomore Tim Simmons were named to the All-Region IX Tournament Team for their play during the 2014 Region IX Tournament. Montalvo and Simmons will go down as two of the best players in Knights history as both finished in the Top 50 of the Knights career scoring list.

Montalvo was named to the All-Region IX 2^nd Team a year ago and is a repeat selection for the All-Region IX Tournament Team. Montalvo led the Knights in scoring at 18.9 points per game and in steals at 2.2 per game while also contributing 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

In the Region IX Tournament, Montalvo scored 15, 22 and 18 for a 18.3 points per game average and had five steals in a game.

Montalvo finishes his career with 1,173 points to finish 5^th All-Time and ties Chase Grabau, Ben Wilson and Aboubacar Casse for most games played in a Knights uniform at 68. Montalvo started every single game of his Knights career.

Simmons was named to the All-Region IX Tournament team after scoring 16, 11 and 11 to go along with 10 assists. Simmons was also responsible for guarding the oppositions best perimeter player.

Simmons finishes his career with 700 career points to finish 40^th All-Time to go along with his assignment of guarding the best player every night.

Montalvo and Simmons have been a part of the most successful two year stretch in program history as they compiled a 57-11 record during their career, including a Region IX Championship in 2013 and National Tournament appearance. The 57 wins are the most in program history in a two year stretch and the 11 losses are the fewest. Montalvo and Simmons have never known defeat at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium finishing a perfect 28-0 in their two years, also a school record.

2013-14 All Region IX Team Men’s Basketball
Division I

First Team
Muhammed Ahmed- Gillette College
Fred Dure- Sheridan College
Deon Edwin- Laramie County Community College
Ethan Montalvo– North Platte Community College
Bronson Moton- Northeastern Junior College
Jay Wright- Casper College

Second Team
Lorenzo Bonam- Gillette College
Tony Dobbinson- McCook Community College
Quiton Everett- Little Big Horn College
Chris Golden- Otero Junior College
Deshon Portley- Laramie County Community College
Renard Suggs- Gillette College

Third Team
Dwight Anderson- Gillette College
Jon Dogbo- Miles Community College
George Edwards- Casper College
Odessa Lear- Northeastern Junior College
Dominic Williams- McCook Community College
Richard McCallop- Trinidad State Junior College

Coach-of-the-Year
North Sub-Region- Shawn Neary, Gillette College
South Sub-Region- Eddie Trenkle, Northeastern Junior College

2014 Region IX All-Tournament Team

Casper College
#11 Jay Wright
Gillette College
#35 Muhaammed Ahmed
#14 Lorenzo Bonam
#2 Dwight Anderson
North Platte
#15 Ethan Montalvo
#35 Tim Simmons
Northeastern Junior College
#10 Duol Mayot
#1 Jamel Crocker
#22 Jamal Peterson
Northwest College
#11 Jonothan Newsom
Otero Junior College
#1 Chris Golden
Sheridan College
#14 Abednego Lufile
#22 Jeff Amazan
Western Nebraska
#2 Tyler Crosbie
McCook Community College
#25 Dominic Williams

NPCC Knights Softball End Road Trip, First Home Games Monday

Posted on March 16, 2014

Alamosa, CO – The North Platte Community College softball team (2-9) finished out their spring break road trip on Friday as they faced off with the Adams State University JV for a double-header. The Knights fell 8-9 in the first game and 4-13 in the second game. The Knights were scheduled to finish their road trip on Saturday against Trinidad State Junior College but the games were postponed due to weather. Also, due to weather the Knights will have their first home games on Monday, March 17 against Western Nebraska Community College that were originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 18.

In game one against Adams State JV Shannon Lieber took the loss on the mound. Lieber only gave up one earned run and had three strikeouts while giving up five hits and one walk. Lieber also led the offense with a homerun, a triple, a single and two RBIs. Brooke Wakefield was 1-3 with two RBIs, two stolen bases and one walk while scoring two runs.Britlee Anderson was 2-4 with a single and a double.

In the second game, Rylee Murphy took the loss giving up five earned runs and seven hits. Lieber drew three walks in the game, while Anderson was 1-3 with an RBI. Wakefield had two hits on three plate appearances to go along with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Soliel Atenza was 1-1 with an RBI and two sacrifice flies. Siarra Velasquez was 1-2 while scoring two runs and stealing two bases.

“Our pitchers are keeping us in games and giving us a chance,” said head coach Janelle Higgins “our defense is playing scared and making way too many fundamental errors.”

“We came back to cold weather and our bats came back. We are making strides forward and are getting better. As the season goes on we will continue to improve.”

The Knights double-header with Trinidad State that was scheduled for March 15 is rescheduled for April 3 in North Platte. The two teams will face off twice on April 3 and then twice again on April 4 in an already scheduled double-header.

The Knights play their first games at home on Monday, March 17 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. against Western Nebraska Community College. The Knights then return to the road four two double-headers before returning home to face Williston State College on March 24.

NPCC Lady Knights Earn Postseason Honors

Posted on March 14, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team had several players earn post-season for their play during the 2013-2014 season. DaVontaye Merritt and Courtney Widick were named All-NCCAC (Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference) while Jordan Dickerson was named Honorable Mention All-NCCAC. Head coach Richard Thurin was named Co-Coach of the Year for the NCCAC. In Region IX Division II, Merritt and Widick were named All-Region along with April Stull. Richard Thurin was named Region IX Division II Coach of the Year. Merritt, Widick and Dickerson were also all named to the Region IX Division II All-Tournament team.

Sophomore DaVontaye Merritt was named All-NCCAC, All-Region IX Division II and All-Tournament Team for Region IX Division II. Merritt is a repeat selection on all three teams from a year ago. Merritt finished her career with 863 points, good for 3rd All-Time on the Lady Knights career scoring list after scoring 16.0 points per game. Merritt averaged a double-double as she pulled down 10.3 rebounds per game. Merritt had 14 games this season where she recorded a double-double.

Sophomore Courtney Widick was named All-NCCAC, All-Region IX Division II and All-Tournament Team for Region IX Division II. Last year Widick was an Honorable Mention All-NCCAC selection. Widick finished her career with 570 points, good for 18th All-Time on the Lady Knights career scoring list after scoring 9.5 points per game this season. Widick also pulled down 4.6 rebounds while averaging 2.0 assists per game and a team high 2.8 steals per game. Widick made 41 3-pointers at a 33 percent clip.

Sophomore Jordan Dickerson was named All-Tournament Team for Region IX Division II and Honorable Mention All-NCCAC. Dickerson was also named to the All-Tournament Team for Region IX Division II last year. Dickerson averaged 8.6 points and 3.6 rebounds to go along with a team high 3.9 assists per game and 1.4 steals per game. Dickerson made the most 3-pointers on the team at 45, making 33 percent of the 3s she attempted.

Freshman April Stull was named All-Region IX Division II. Stull was the Lady Knights second-leading scorer and rebounder at 11.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Stull shot 51 percent from the field this season.

Head Coach Richard Thurin was named Co-Coach of the Year in the NCCAC for leading his team to a 4-2 record in the conference and the first ever NCCAC Championship in school history. Coach Thurin was also named the Region IX Division II Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 3-1 record during the regular season and winning the Region IX Division II Tournament title by defeating Central Community College.

NPCC Knights Softball Lose Two against Southern Nevada

Posted on March 13, 2014

Las Vegas, NV – The North Platte Community College softball team (2-7) continued their road trip over spring break in Las Vegas, Nev. against the College of Southern Nevada on Tuesday 0-13 and 0-8.

“Their pitchers were very strong with a solid fielding squad behind her and our defense struggled,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “Our bats have not warmed up on the trip. Our pitchers are throwing very well but our defense is not backing them up. I am very proud of our pitchers for stepping up and not giving in.”

In the first game Siarra Velazquez, Shannon Lieber and Brooke Wakefield each had a hit for the Knights. Velasquez also drew a walk while Sydney Standage and Jazmin Chang were hit by a pitch. The Knights gave up 10 unearned runs, had six errors in the game and left four runners stranded. Lieber took the loss on the mound for the Knights.

“As a whole we cannot give up that many unearned runs especially when our offense is not producing,” said Higgins. “Even if we had more offense it would still be hard to win games when giving up that many free runs.”

In game number two, Soliel Atenza, Lexi Bryant and Rylee Murphy each had a hit for the Knights. Wakefield, Lieber and Murphy all drew walks. The Knights gave up six unearned runs and left four runners stranded.

“College of Southern Nevada has a very talented and sophomore based team,” said Higgins. “Even with the losses we are jellying as a team. Going into the week we knew it was going to be tough and we are still very early in the season as we still have 30 games to play over the next five weeks. We are young and still learning to play together. This is a tough trip and we are still fighting in games and team morale is very high after two tough days at the ball field which is a positive for all.”

The Knights remain on the road the rest of the week for two more double-headers before returning home for their first home game against Western Nebraska Community College on March 18 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Knights next face Adams State University JV on Friday March 14 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

NPCC Knights Softball Fall at South Mountain in Phoenix

Posted on March 10, 2014

Phoenix, AZ – The North Platte Community College softball team (2-5) opened up their eight game road trip that coincides with North Platte Community College’s spring break today in Phoenix, Ariz. dropping two games to the South Mountain Community College Lady Cougars 0-8 and 1-13.

Shannon Lieber took the loss on the mound in the opening game for the Knights. Siarra Velasquez had the lone hit in the first game for the Knights and also drew a walk. Soliel Atenza had a sacrifice and Sydney Standage was hit by a pitch. The Knights had five errors in the game, giving up only two earned runs.

In the second game of the day, Rylee Murphy took the loss on the mound. Velasquez, Atenza, Standage and Jazmin Change all had one hit and Lieber drew a walk. The Knights had five errors in the game, giving up six earned runs.

“We couldn’t get the bats going today and errors killed us,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “We came out very timid and made errors right away digging ourselves in a hole both games and couldn’t get out of it.”

“South Mountain is a very fast and disciplined team at the plate. There pitchers were very strong and kept us very off balanced and was hard for us to adjust. They already have played over 20 games to our five,” said Higgins. I am proud of the team for never giving up in either game but we just couldn’t get anything going in our favor. ”

The Knights return to action tomorrow as they face the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada tomorrow in a double-header at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Knights remain on the road the rest of the week for two more double-headers before returning home for their first home game against Western Nebraska Community College on March 18 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

NPCC Lady Knights Fall in District F Championship

Posted on March 9, 2014

Bottineau, ND – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team (16-13, 3-1 Region IX Division II) ended their season Sunday afternoon in the District F Championship falling at the hands of the Dakota College at Bottineau Lady Jacks (15-17) 65-83. The Lady Jacks now advance to the Division II Women’s National Championship in Overland Park, Kan.

The Lady Knights finish the season with 16 wins, which ties for the second most in program history and second most in head coach Richard Thurin‘s 13 year career. The 0.552 win percentage is the seventh time in program history the Lady Knights have finished over .500 and it is the third in Coach Thurin’s career.

Lady Knights All-Time Win-Loss Record

After traveling 10 hours to reach Bottineau, the Lady Knights got off to a fast start and took a 39-36 lead into the locker room behind 43 percent shooting in the half while holding the Lady Jacks to only 38 percent shooting from the field.

In the second half, the Lady Knights struggled to connect from the field as they only shot 26 percent (10-39) from the field. Conversely, the Lady Jacks shots started to fall on their way to scoring 47 points and shooting 52 percent from the field. The Lady Knights out-rebounded the Lady Jacks 48-42.

“It wasn’t one of our better games,” said coach Thurin. “This time of year you need to be playing your best ball. They shot ball well and we didn’t.”

In her last game in a Lady Knights uniform, DaVontaye Merritt again paced North Platte with a double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 19 rebounds, including 10 offensive rebounds. Also in her final game as a Lady Knight, Courtney Widick scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Aliyah Brown was the only other Lady Knights in double-figures as she finished with 12 points.

Imani Scott led the Lady Jacks with 32 points and Savannah Bruce had 14 while Lead Patrizek had 10.

Along with Merritt and Widick, Jordan Dickerson and Samantha Hyatt played their last game in a Lady Knights uniform Sunday. The sophomores finish their career with 31 wins and back-to-back Region IX Championships. The 31 wins is the second most in Lady Knights history for a two year stretch. Last season, the Lady Knights also won the District F Championship to advance to the Division II Women’s National Championship.

Merritt and Widick will go down as two of the greatest Lady Knights to ever wear a uniform as both finished in the Top 20 of the All-Time Scoring List.

Merritt finishes her career with 863 points which places her 3^rd All-Time in Lady Knights history.

Widick finishes her career with 570 points which places her 18^th on the All-Time scoring list.

Lady Knights Top 25 Scoring List

“It was a good season,” said coach Thurin. “I feel bad for our sophomores as they showed good leadership all season.”

No. 15 NPCC Knights End Season in Region IX Semifinals, Close Best Two Year Stretch in Program History

Posted on March 5, 2014March 5, 2014

Sterling, CO – The No. 15 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team (27-5, 12-4 South Sub-Region) had their season come to an Tuesday evening in Sterling, Colo. as they fell to the No. 9 Gillette College Pronghorns (29-3, 15-1 North Sub-Region) 86-74 in the Region IX Semifinals.

The Knights finish the year with 27 wins to go along with only five losses. The five losses are the second fewest in a season in Knights history and the 84.4 win percentage also ranks second All-Time. The 27 wins are tied for the 4^th most in program history.

All-Time Win/Loss Records

The appearance in the Region IX Semifinals was the tenth of head coach Kevin O’Connor‘s career. O’Connor currently has 594 wins in his career.

For the first time in program history, the Knights were ranked in every single Top 25 Poll.

NJCAA National Rankings History

The Knights started off the game with Gillette playing tentatively, while the Pronghorns were the aggressor. Gillette would jump out to a lead and maintain it throughout the half despite the best efforts of Cameron Williams and Ethan Montalvo who finished with 14 and 10 points in the half. Lorenzo Bonam paced the Pronghorns with 10 points. The Knights had 11 turnovers in the half compared to only 3 for the Pronghorns as Gillette took a 35-44 lead into intermission.

At the start of the second half, the Knights scored on their first several possessions to immediately cut into the Pronghorns lead. The Knights would never be out of the game until the final minutes as on multiple occasions the lead was cut to only four points. However, the Knights could never get over the hump and make the game any closer than four points despite multiple opportunities.

Late in the game, the Pronghorns were able to stretch their lead off multiple fast break opportunities and from the free throw line. In the game, both teams made 31 field goals and five 3-pointers. The difference in the game came from the free throw line where the Knights only shot 7 of 13 while the Pronghorns shot 19 of 25.

Freshman Cameron Williams led the Knights in scoring as he finished with 24 points while chipping in seven rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Ethan Montalvo finished with 20 points and sophomore Tim Simmons scored 11 and had five assists as the only other Knights in double-figures. Sophomore Jake Maslo led the Knights in rebounds with nine and scored six points.

Muhammed Ahmed scored 15 second half points and finished with 24 to lead the Pronghorns while Lorenzo Bonam scored 21 and Dwight Anderson scored 15. Ahmed and Bonam finished with double-doubles as they both recorded 11 rebounds.

The game was the last in a Knights uniform for sophomores Ethan Montalvo, Tim Simmons, Jake Maslo, Tre’Vaun Hymer, Jimma Lew and Marcus Linson. Hymer joined the program at the semester break of his freshman year.

The sophomores have been a part of the most successful two year stretch in program history as they compiled a 57-11 record during their career, including a Region IX Championship in 2013 and National Tournament appearance. The 57 wins are the most in program history in a two year stretch and the 11 losses are the fewest. The sophomores have never known defeat at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium finishing a perfect 28-0 in their two years which is also a school record.

Montalvo and Simmons will go down as two of the best players in Knights history as they both finished in the Top 50 of the Knights career scoring list.

Simmons finishes his career with 700 career points to finish 40^th All-Time to go along with his assignment of guarding the best player every night.

All-Time Scoring List

“I am so proud of our team and the effort that they gave us night in and night out,” said head coach Kevin O’Connor. “We will miss all of sophomores; they were a true representation of what wearing a Knights uniform is all about. They led our program on the court, in the classroom and in the community. They will be unbelievable hard to replace.”

NPCC Lady Knights Win Back-to-Back Region IX Division II Championships

Posted on March 4, 2014March 4, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team (16-12, 3-1 Region IX Division II) defeated the Central Community Lady Raiders (19-13, 2-2 Region IX Division II) Monday night at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium in the Region IX Division II Championship in overtime 90-86.

The Lady Knights struggled out of the gate to find any rhythm offensively and got down early. However, a 12-2 run would even the score up at 34 before the Lady Raiders would score four points to the Lady Knights two to take a 36-38 lead into the locker room.

The second half went much the same as the first half with the Lady Raiders playing well and taking a large lead at 55-72. The Lady Raiders would keep the Lady Knights at bay for the next several minutes and led by 15 points with five minutes to play.

The Lady Knights would then use their largest run of the evening at 18-1 to tie the game at 73 apiece. The Lady Raiders would score the next three points, but a free throw from April Stull and a lay-up from Aliyah Brown with eight seconds left tied the game. Central was unable to get off at the end of regulation and the game headed to overtime.

In overtime, the teams would exchange baskets as the lead went back and forth several times. Finally, with the game tied Stephanie Casteel was fouled and calmly sank both free .throws to give the Lady Knights a two point advantage. After a steal by the Lady Knights, Jordan Dickerson was fouled and calmly hit both free throws to give the Lady Knights the winning margin.

“The girls never gave up,” said head coach Richard Thurin. “Our press was very effective throughout the game and the 18-1 run to end the game was huge. All of our girls gave a great effort.”

DaVontaye Merritt once again the Lady Knights with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. April Stull also had a double-double as she finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Dickerson was second on the team in scoring with 18 points and Aliyah Brown finished with 17. Courtney Widick scored six points, but pulled down 10 rebounds for the Lady Knights.

Adrianna Beck led all scorers with 28 points while Paris Crenshaw scored 12 points and Alyssa Foltz scored 11. The Lady Knights out-rebounded the Lady Raiders 56-38.

The Lady Knights now advance to the District F Playoff in Bottineau, North Dakota on Sunday March 9 against the Dakota College at Bottineau Lady Jacks (13-17) to qualify for the Division II National Tournament. The Lady Jacks defeated Gogebic Community College (21-8) 86-75 in the opening round of the Region XIII Tournament and then defeated the host United Tribes Technical College (8-23) by a score of 77-71 to win the Region XIII Title.