The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks men’s and women’s basketball teams swept
their NJCAA Region II finale with South Arkansas Community College on Saturday, with
the Nighthawk women defeating the Stars, 91-86, and the Nighthawk men picking up an
87-69 victory. Before the women’s game, NPC honored its five sophomores—India Atkins
(Bryant), Essieana Bennett (Houston, TX), Amaya Coakley (Killeen, TX), Kamyia Beal
(Hot Springs) and Danielle Dickerson (Fayetteville)—for their outstanding contributions
to Nighthawks women’s basketball. In a high-scoring affair, the Nighthawk women (11-14)
flourished early, racking up a season-high 31 first-quarter points. South Arkansas
answered in the second quarter, however, outscoring NPC, 33-20, to take a 58-51 lead
at halftime.
NPC turned up its defense in the second half, sparing a comeback opportunity that
would keep the game close down to the wire. NPC grabbed the lead late, 86-84, with
1:22 to play and, for the second-consecutive game, relied on key free throws form
freshman Kayla Richardson (Grannis) to soar to victory.
Atkins led the Nighthawks in scoring with 25 points, while Coakley added 20 points.
Richardson and freshman Jhyla
Calvin (Plumerville) finished with 18 and 13 points, respectively, in the win.
Before the men’s game, NPC honored its eleven sophomores—Kam Vick (Little Rock), Kylil
Anderson (Fort Worth, TX), Kade Shaffer (Russellville), Jaylen O’Conner (Oklahoma
City, OK), Sayvon Traylor (Atlanta, GA), Garett Powell (Springboro, OH), Rodrique
Massenat (Trenton, NJ), Decorey Watkins (Little Rock), Notoris Nelson (Ashdown), Damarcus
Johnson (Dallas, TX) and JoQuarius Valrie (Houston, TX)—for the impact they’ve made
on NPC’s men’s basketball program.
In the first half, South Arkansas brought a strong defensive presence that prevented
the Nighthawks (20-8) from pulling away early. In a back-and-forth battle, NPC won
the first 20 minutes with a 40-33 halftime lead.
Led by Massenat and Valrie, NPC found its rhythm in the second half. Attacking the
basket in the paint often, the Nighthawks built a double-digit lead with 11 minutes
remaining and cruised to the team’s 20th victory of the season.
Massenat led the Nighthawks in scoring with 23 points, while Valrie and Vick added
19 and 13 points, respectively, in the win.
The Nighthawk men and women face South Arkansas Community College in the first round
of the NJCAA Region II tournament Tuesday at Harding University in Searcy. The Nighthawk
women tip off at 3 p.m. followed by the men at 5 p.m. Both games will be streamed
live on the Nighthawk Network.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk men’s basketball and Nighthawk women’s basketball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
