The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks men’s and women’s basketball teams swept
their NJCAA Region II games against South Arkansas Community College in the Kettle
Saturday, with the Nighthawk women defeating the Stars, 86-64, and the Nighthawk men
picking up a 104-69 win.
The Nighthawks (8-9, 3-2) and Stars kept things close throughout the opening quarter
in women’s action, with each team playing to a 16-16 tie after 10 minutes. Behind
14 points from sophomore guard India Atkins (Bryant), and six total three-pointers
from NPC in the second quarter, the Nighthawks found their offensive groove, taking
a double digit lead. Freshman guard Janayi Baker (Magnolia) capitalized on NPC’s efforts
with half-court three-point buzzer beater to send the Nighthawks into the locker room
with a 50-35 halftime advantage.
Holding South Arkansas to just seven points in the third quarter, NPC’s defense shined,
putting the game out of reach early in the second half. Sophomore guard Amaya Coakley
(Killeen, Texas) led the way for NPC, offensively, over the final 20 minutes, scoring
eight points in the third quarter and three points in the fourth quarter. Late in
the fourth quarter, Atkins drained her third three-pointer of the game to become NPC’s
all-time three point leader, breaking the record previously held by Jaide Vavra, en
route to NPC’s third NJCAA Region II victory of the season.
Atkins led the Nighthawks in scoring with 27 points, while Coakley and Baker added
14 points apiece. Sophomore forward Jhyla Calvin (Morrilton) added 13 points in the
win.
In men’s action, NPC (12-7, 3-2) took control of the game early, with freshman guard
Patrick Punch (Houston, Texas) scoring the first eight points of the game for the Nighthawks. NPC thrived by attacking the paint for the
majority of the first 20 minutes, while shooting a perfect eight-of-eight from the
free throw line. Led by 13 points from freshman guard Nakavieon White (Odessa, Texas)
and 12 points from sophomore guard Quinntez Grimes (Dallas, Texas), NPC cruised to
a comfortable 46-28 halftime lead.
NPC caught fire from beyond the arc in the second half, knocking down 12 of its 16
total treys for the game to pad its lead. With 12 second-half points, freshman guard
Ja’Bryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) guided the Nighthawks to the finish line, securing
the team’s third NJCAA Region II win of the year.
Punch led the Nighthawks in scoring with 20 points, while Grimes and White finished
with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Hill added 14 points, while sophomore guard Justin
Davis (Waterbury, Connecticut) scored 13 points in the win.
The Nighthawk men face Williams Baptist University’s junior varsity team Tuesday,
January 31 at 7 p.m. in Walnut Ridge. NPC resumes NJCAA Region II play at University
of Arkansas Cossatot Saturday, February 4, beginning with the women at 2 p.m. followed
by the men at 4 p.m.
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
