Five returners look to lead Knights back to region championship

North Platte, Neb. – The North Platte Community College women's basketball team finished the 2022-23 season with a 9-21 record, but look to returners to lead them back to the Region IX Championship for the fourth straight year.

The Knights, who have earned three straight trips to the Region IX Championship, will play 29 games during the 2023-24 regular season including 14 inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. North Platte will open Region IX play against Central Community College on Saturday, Jan. 20.

North Platte returns two Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference selections from a season ago. Jada Grigsby, who was also honored as a Region IX honoree, capped off her freshman campaign as the Knights leading scorer and rebounder. The guard averaged 11.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while scoring in double-figures in 20-of-28 games during the 2022-23 season.

Reece Halley was the only player to start every game last season for the Knights. During her freshman campaign the Torrington, Wyo. native chipped in 9.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while being a mainstay in the heart of the Knights interior.

Knights also return Samantha Riggles and Emily Johnson who saw significant time in the post last season. Riggles started 26 games during the 2022-23 season, while totaling 284 points and 166 rebounds. Johnson joined the team late in the season, but her tenacious defense in the post helped the Knights win three important games down the stretch of the season.

Mariah Gardner adds some depth at the guard position, having started 17 games a season ago. The Wallace native, connected on 29.4 percent (30-102) of her shots from long range, while tallying 178 points, 109 rebounds, 24 assists, and 19 steals.

Dazjanae Greene and Joie Rodriguez also return for the Knights, but both redshirted during the 2022-23 campaign.

Knights will open the season on the road against Northwest Kansas Technical College on Wednesday, Nov. 1 in Goodland, Kan.

New Faces
Nariah Golden, Fr., Guard, Denver, Colo.
Nevaeh Golden, Fr., Guard, Denver, Colo.
Kateria Gooden, Fr., Forward, College Station, Texas
Jada Thompson, Fr. Forward, Houton, Texas
Keke Smith, Fr., Guard, Denver, Colo.