06 Mar 2024 Nighthawk Men’s Basketball earns All-Region Honors

HOT SPRINGS — Five members of the National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s basketball team (27-1) were named to the 2023-24 NJCAA Division 2 All-Region team this week for their outstanding performance on the court this season.

Sophomore center Taylor Harrell (Houston, Texas) averages 9.7 points for the Nighthawks this season with 10 double-doubles. In his first season with NPC, Harrell leads the Nighthawks in offensive rebounds (86) and ranks fifth all-time in blocks and seventh all-time in rebounds, while leading the nation in field goal percentage (74.8). Harrell recently led NPC in scoring with 25 points in the team’s 93-77 win over Arkansas State University Mid-South in the NJCAA Region 2 semifinals. 

“Taylor has been an anchor for our team down low,” NPC men’s basketball head coach Dillon Hargrove said. “From rebounds to points scored, he has impacted our games, changed the makeup of our team and has been instrumental to our success this year.”

Averaging 17.6 points per game this season, sophomore guard Ja’Bryant Hill (Dallas, Texas) became NPC’s all-time leader in steals and free throws this season and ranks third all-time in assists and scoring and sixth all-time in three-pointers at National Park College. Hill also broke the Nighthawks’ single-game scoring record with a 50-point performance in the team’s 87-72 win over Southern Arkansas University Tech on February 24, 2024. This season, Hill leads NPC in scoring (494), free throws (121), free throw percentage (81.8), field goals (167) and steals (72), while ranking 14th, nationally, in steals. 

“JB has been a main key in our success this year,” Hargrove said. “His ability to control the tempo of games combined with his leadership has turned him into one of the best point guards in men’s junior college basketball.”

Sophomore guard Patrick Punch (Houston, Texas) earns All-Region honors for the second-consecutive season. Averaging 15.3 points per game this season, Punch led the Nighthawks in three-pointers (52) and ranks third all-time in rebounds, steals and three-pointers, fourth all-time in assists, free throws and scoring and sixth all-time in blocks at National Park College. On November 14, 2023, Punch set NPC’s single-game three-point record with eight three-pointers in a 114-83 win over Central Baptist College.

“Pat has made winning plays for us all year,” Hargrove said. “When you have the motor and sense of urgency that Pat has, good things happen.”

Sophomore forward Nakavieon White (Odessa, Texas) picks up his second-consecutive Region 2 MVP award. Averaging 17 points per game this season, White became NPC’s all-time leader in assists, blocks and rebounds this season and ranks second all-time in scoring and steals, third all-time in free throws and fourth all-time in three-pointers at National Park College. This season, White leads NPC in assists (178), blocks (51), defensive rebounds (200) and rebounds (223) while serving as the Nighthawks’ second-leading scorer (442). Nationally, White ranks 12th in assists, 13th in defensive rebounds and 15th in blocks. 

“Nakavieon has been a big-time player for us all season,” Hargrove said. “Coming in as the No. 5 ranked player in the nation proves that. He is very deserving of back-to-back MVP awards.”

Hargrove was named Region 2 Coach of the Year. In his fourth season as head coach, Hargrove propelled NPC into the national spotlight with a 27-1 record, an undefeated regular season, back-to-back NJCAA Region 2 regular season championships and 13 consecutive weeks of national rankings, including seven straight weeks at No. 1. “Coach Hargrove has had an exceptional season leading these young men to an undefeated regular season and a regular season regional championship,” NPC Athletic Director Rich Thompson said. “His effort to bring in top-level talent is the best in the country. The way he leads his young men diligently through practice, game strategy, scouting and the classroom is a testament to his dedication to this program. We are so proud to call him a Nighthawk.”

National Park College recently finished as runners-up in the NJCAA Region 2 Tournament and is confidently pursuing an at-large bid to the 2023-24 NJCAA Division 2 National Tournament, held March 18-23 in Danville, Ill.