Baumann, Baez and Evans receive postseason awards

North Platte, Neb. – A trio of North Platte Community College men's basketball student-athletes garner Region IX, Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference and postseason honors from the Omaha World-Herald.

Parker Baumann and Bryce Baez were named to the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference team, while Davion Evans received honorable mention accolades from the conference. Additionally, all three student-athletes were named to the Omaha World-Herald's All-Midlands men's basketball team, while Baez and Evans received Region IX South honors at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

Evans finished the season ranked second in the region in points per game (16.3) and tenth in three-point shooting (33.3%). He scored in double figures 18 times during his 21 game appearances this past season.

Baez, who averaged 12.3 points per game, finished 15th in the region in that category. The native of Burlington, Iowa closed out the season ranked seventh in region in total rebounds (197) and third with a 79.8 percent free throw percentage.

Baumann appeared in all 29 games averaging 14.2 point per contest. The freshman guard finished the season second on the team in scoring and seventh in region. He also closed out the season eighth in the region in steals (1.2) and 13th in rebounds per game (5.6).

Kade Erickson of North Platte Community College and John Ritzdorf of Central Community College were named NCCAC Co-Coaches of the Year. Erickson stepped into the interim role on December 12 and guided the Knights to a 5-1 conference record to help North Platte claim the NCCAC title.

Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Team
Parker Baumann, Fr., G, North Platte Community College
Bryce Baez, So., F, North Platte Community College
Blake Daberkow, So., F, Central Community College
PJ Davis, So., G, Central Community College
Frank Keller, Fr., F, Central Community College
Bryan Akanmu, RFr., W, McCook Community College
Martel Evans, So., G, McCook Community College
Louie Tucker, Fr., G, McCook Community College
Justin Bolis, Fr., F, Southeast Community College
Collin Tarver, Fr., G Southeast Community College

Honorable Mention
Davion Evans, So., G, North Platte Community College
Radek Pulsipher , So., G, Southeast Community College

Coach-of-the Year
Kade Erickson, North Platte Community College
John Ritzdorf, Central Community College

All-Region IX South Team
First Team
Lateef Patrick, Fr., G, Trinidad State College
Jalen Foy, So., F, Northeastern Junior College
JJ Harris, So., G, Western Nebraska Community College

Second Team
Anthony Harris, So., F, Otero Junior College
Keliese Frye, So., F, Trinidad State College
Willie Wilson, Fr., G, Western Nebraska Community College

Third Team
Deng Diew, Fr., F, Northeastern Junior College
Louie Tucker, Fr., G, McCook Community College
Tay Mosher, So., F, Otero Junior College

Honorable Mention
Martel Evans, So., G, McCook Community College
Davion Evans, So., G, North Platte Community College
Bryce Baez, So., F, North Platte Community College
Sean Lindsay, Fr., G, Lamar Community College

South Coach of the Year
Billy Engel, Western Nebraska Community College

Omaha World-Herald's All-Midlands Men's Basketball Team
Davion Evans, So., G, North Platte Community College
Vincent Garrett, Fr., G, Northeast Community College
JJ Harris, So., G, Western Nebraska Community College
Louie Tucker, Fr., G, McCook Community College
Blake Daberkow, So., F, Central Community College

Honorable Mention
Bryce Baez, So., F, North Platte Community College
Parker Baumann, Fr., G, North Platte Community College
PJ Davis, So., G, Central Community College
Martel Evans, So., G, McCook Community College
Bryce Rolle, So., F, Northeast Community College
Justin Bolis, Fr., F, Southeast Community College
Collin Tarver, Fr., G, Southeast Community College
Kayden Nation, Fr., W, Western Nebraska Community College
Willie Wilson, Fr., G, Western Nebraska Community College