Knights land five players on postseason award lists

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College led the league with four women's basketball players selected to the All-Region IX team. While three student-athletes found themselves landing on the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference team for their efforts on the court during the 2021-22 season.

Jeff Thurman was honored as the NCCAC's Coach of the Year as the Knights locked a share of the conference title for the first time since 2014. Thurman has also led North Platte to three Region IX titles and two trips to the NJCAA DII Women's Basketball Championship in his first four years as the head coach of the Knights.

Kayla Pope and Diamond Moore-Heath were selected to the All-Region IX and NCCAC All-Conference teams for the second time in their careers. Jordyn Moon and Jada Ballard were lockdown defenders for the Knights who also earned recognition as All-Region IX selections. Janay Brauer lands on the all-conference list for the third time in her career as an honorable mention selection.

Pope led the Knights to a perfect record against DII Region IX opponents this season. The sophomore finished the year averaging 14.8 points per game, while also tallying 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. The native of Mesquite, Texas shot 36.8 percent (161-438) from the field, including 71.4 percent (117-164) at the free throw line. Pope scored in double-figures in 27-of-32 games during the season.

Moore-Heath's 14.3 points per game ranked her third in the region, behind Pope and Central Community College's Brittney Veik. The two-time all-conference selection controlled the paint this season averaging 8.6 rebounds per game, leading her to being named the top player in the conference. The Colorado Springs, Colo. native closed out the 2021-22 campaign with 14 double-doubles, while scoring in double-figures 26 times.

Moon earns her first Region IX selection after averaging 6.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season. The Richfield, Utah native tallied 3.8 offensive rebounds per game, which ranks her first in the region. The two-year starter collected 123 total offensive rebounds, which ranks her in the top ten nationally amongst DII NJCAA student-athletes.

Ballard finishes her sophomore campaign averaging 5.3 points per game, while collecting 70 steals. The native of St. Petersburg, Fla. averaged 2.3 steals per game, which ranks her second amongst Region IX student-athletes this season.

Brauer was the Knights third best scorer on the season averaging 11.9 points per game, while connecting on 28.4 percent (93-238) of her shots from beyond the arc. The third-year sophomore concludes her Knights career totaling 894 points, 422 rebounds, 192 assists, and 144 steals.

North Platte (22-10) posted their best record in school history during the 2021-22 campaign, while claiming back-to-back Region IX titles.

All-Region IX Team
Kayla Pope, So., G, North Platte Community College
Diamond Moore-Heath, So., F, North Platte Community College
Jada Ballard, So., G, North Platte Community College
Jordyn Moon, So., G, North Platte Community College
Brittney Veik, So., G, Central Community College
Amy Mitchell, Fr., G, Central Community College
Hunter Hartshorn, So., G, Southeast Community College

Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Team
Kayla Pope, So., G, North Platte Community College
Diamond Moore-Heath, So., F, North Platte Community College
Brittney Veik, So., G, Central Community College
Amy Mitchell, Fr., G, Central Community College
Vanessa Jurewicz, So., G, McCook Community College
Sonia Sato, So., G, McCook Community College
Alyssa Van Vleet, So., G, McCook Community College
Hunter Hartshorn, So., G, Southeast Community College
Jordan Koehler, Fr., F, Southeast Community College
Josiee Sobotka, So., G, Southeast Community College

Honorable Mention
Janay Brauer, So., G, North Platte Community College
Madison Jelinek, Fr., F, Central Community College

Coach of the Year
Jeff Thurman, North Platte Community College