German Plotnikov garners postseason accolades

North Platte, Neb. – German Plotnikov put the finishing touches on his final season with the Knights earning back-to-back Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference All-Conference First Team honors, while also being tabbed as an All-Region IX First Team selection by earning the second most votes amongst Region IX coaches.

The second-year freshman, shot 48.3 percent (187-387) from the field, including 40.2 percent (39-97) from beyond the arc. Plotnikov led the Knights averaging 20.7 points per game, while collecting 96 rebounds, 75 assists and 43 steals.

Nico Felici earns his first conference honor by being a NCCAC All-Conference First Team selection. The Omaha native concluded his only season with the Knights averaging 13.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Felici finished the season shooting 45.3 percent (125-276) from field goal range and 84.4 percent (76-90) from the free throw line.

Timur Krupalija, a second year forward, ends his Knights career averaging 10.6 points per game in his final season. A native of Sarajevo, Bosnia was named a NCCAC Second Team and a Region IX South Team honorable mention selection for his efforts on the court this season. Krupalija shot 59.3 percent from the floor, while totaling 166 rebounds, 49 assists and 25 blocks.

The Knights ascended to the top spot in the conference after starting the season with a 4-0 record in NCCAC action. North Platte suffered their only conference loss to McCook Community College on Feb. 15 in a tightly contested battle inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.

The leadership of longtime coach, Kevin O'Connor propelled the Knights to their sixteenth NCCAC title in the past eighteen years. In response to the conference title, O'Connor was selected as the NCCAC Coach of the Year.

Knights finished the 2021-22 season with a 13-13 overall record.

Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Team
German Plotnikov, Fr., G, North Platte Community College
Nico Felici, Fr., G, North Platte Community College
Timur Krupalija, Fr., F, North Platte Community College
Kevin Cook, So., F, Central Community College
Dwight Glover, So., G, Central Community College
Julian Lual, So., F, McCook Community College
Damien Perry, So., PG, McCook Community College
Much Biel, Jr., F, Southeast Community College
Trey Hepburn, So., G, Southeast Community College
Luke Williams, Fr., G, Southeast Community College

Honorable Mention

Caleb Muia, So., G, Central Community College
Kzichi Kalu, So., F, McCook Community College

Coach of the Year
Kevin O'Connor, North Platte Community College