Five women’s basketball players garner postseason honors
North Platte, Neb. – The North Platte Community College women's basketball team reign in numerous awards at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
Head coach Jeff Thurman notched his fourth Region IX Coach of the Year honor, while also earning his second Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year designation. Jada Grigsby, Dazjanae Greene and Samantha Riggles were tabbed as NCCAC all-conference selections as announced by the league last Friday.
For the second consecutive season, Grigsby was tabbed as a NCCAC selection and a Region IX honoree. The sophomore guard averaged 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game during the 2023-24 season.
Greene earned a trio of awards by receiving Region IX and NCCAC honors, while also being tabbed as an honorable mention selection to the Omaha World-Herald's All-Midlands Women's Basketball Team. Greene finishes off her lone season for the black and gold shooting 37.9 percent (145-383) from the floor, while averaging 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
Riggles is one of just two forwards honored at the conclusion of the season with all-conference honors. The Chattaroy, Wash. native started in 25 games while averaging 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest.
Reece Halley is one of only six Knights players to appear in every game during the 2023-24 campaign. She concluded the season averaging 7.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while being tabbed as an All-Region IX honoree.
Nariah Golden earned her first postseason honor by being named as an honorable mention selection to the Omaha World-Herald's All-Midlands Women's Basketball Team. Golden appeared in 30 games and averaged 8.4 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Knights.
All-Region IX Team
Dazjanae Greene, So., G, North Platte Community College
Jada Grigsby, So., G, North Platte Community College
Reece Halley, So., F, North Platte Community College
Samantha Riggles, So., F, North Platte Community College
Matalynn Campbell, Fr., G, Southeast Community College
Carney Black, So., F, Southeast Community College
Nikie Nelson, So., G, Central Community College
Aubry Saleapaga, So., G, Central Community College
Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Team
Jada Grigsby, So., G, North Platte Community College
Dazjanae Greene, So., G, North Platte Community College
Samantha Riggles, So., F, North Platte Community College
Nikie Nelson, So., G, Central Community College
Aubry Saleapaga, So., G, Central Community College
Gemma Gruettner Bacoul, So., G, McCook Community College
Suzan Sisman, So., G, McCook Community College
Audra Vine, Fr., PG, McCook Community College
Matalynn Campbell, So., G, Southeast Community College
Carney Black, So., F, Southeast Community College
Honorable Mention
Makenna Pelster, Fr., G, Central Community College
Destiny Rakestraw, Fr., G, Southeast Community College
Coach of the Year
Jeff Thurman, North Platte Community College
Omaha World-Herald's All-Midlands Women's Basketball Team
Matalynn Campbell, Fr., G, Southeast Community College
Gemma Gruettner Bacoul, So., G, McCook Community College
Nikie Nelson, So., G, Central Community College
Allison Richards, So., G, Northeast Community College
Faith Walker, So., F, Western Nebraska Community College
Honorable Mention
Nariah Golden, Fr., G, North Platte Community College
Dazjanae Greene, So., G, North Platte Community College
Aubry Saleapaga, So., G, Central Community College
Audra Vine, Fr., PG, McCook Community College
Amber Lawson, So. G, Southeast Community College
Carney Black, So., F, Southeast Community College
Amiyah Donaldson, So., G, Western Nebraska Community College
Gal-La Font, RFr., G, Western Nebraska Community College
Mackenzie Joseph, So., G, Western Nebraska Community College