The No.1 ranked National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s basketball team (24-0)
defeated Shorter College, 84-72, in National Junior College Athletics Association
(NJCAA) Region 2 play Monday, claiming the NJCAA Region 2 regular season championship.
Sophomore guard Patrick Punch (Houston, Texas) could not miss in the opening minutes
as NPC quickly built a double digit lead, 15-5. The Nighthawks leaned on its defense
to keep the Bulldogs’ shooters at bay, with sophomore center Taylor Harrell (Houston,
Texas) and sophomore forward Anthony Swift (Las Vegas, Nevada) dominating the rebounding
battle and padding the lead from the paint.
Leading, 39-26, at halftime, NPC continued to control the tempo throughout the final
20 minutes by pressuring at the rim and holding the Bulldogs to tough shots at the
perimeter. Punch continued to sink shots from the paint while Swift and sophomore
guard Ja’Bryant Hill (Dallas, Texas) provided assistance from the free throw line
as NPC completed the regular season sweep over Shorter College.
Punch led the Nighthawks in scoring with 18 points. Harrell and Swift each finished
with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore guard Keryn Collins (Dallas, Texas)
and Hill picked up 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the win.
The Nighthawks travel to North Arkansas College Thursday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m.
to continue NJCAA Region 2 play. NPC concludes the regular season Saturday, February
24 at SAU Tech in Camden at 6:30 p.m.
As NJCAA Region 2 champions, National Park College earns the No. 1 seed in the upcoming
NJCAA Region 2 Tournament, held at Harding University in Searcy. The Nighthawks will
have a first round bye to the semifinal round held Friday, March 1 at 6 p.m.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk Athletics online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
X: @NPC_Nighthawks
