01 Feb 2023 Nighthawks basketball sweeps Stars

HOT SPRINGS — The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks men’s and women’s basketball teams swept their NJCAA Region II games against South Arkansas Community College in the Kettle Saturday, with the Nighthawk women defeating the Stars, 86-64, and the Nighthawk men picking up a 104-69 win. 

The Nighthawks (8-9, 3-2) and Stars kept things close throughout the opening quarter in women’s action, with each team playing to a 16-16 tie after 10 minutes. Behind 14 points from sophomore guard India Atkins (Bryant), and six total three-pointers from NPC in the second quarter, the Nighthawks found their offensive groove, taking a double digit lead. Freshman guard Janayi Baker (Magnolia) capitalized on NPC’s efforts with half-court three-point buzzer beater to send the Nighthawks into the locker room with a 50-35 halftime advantage.

Holding South Arkansas to just seven points in the third quarter, NPC’s defense shined, putting the game out of reach early in the second half. Sophomore guard Amaya Coakley (Killeen, Texas) led the way for NPC, offensively, over the final 20 minutes, scoring eight points in the third quarter and three points in the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth quarter, Atkins drained her third three-pointer of the game to become NPC’s all-time three point leader, breaking the record previously held by Jaide Vavra, en route to NPC’s third NJCAA Region II victory of the season.

Atkins led the Nighthawks in scoring with 27 points, while Coakley and Baker added 14 points apiece. Sophomore forward Jhyla Calvin (Morrilton) added 13 points in the win.

In men’s action, NPC (12-7, 3-2) took control of the game early, with freshman guard Patrick Punch (Houston, Texas) scoring the first eight points of the game for the Nighthawks. NPC thrived by attacking the paint for the majority of the first 20 minutes, while shooting a perfect eight-of-eight from the free throw line. Led by 13 points from freshman guard Nakavieon White (Odessa, Texas) and 12 points from sophomore guard Quinntez Grimes (Dallas, Texas), NPC cruised to a comfortable 46-28 halftime lead.  

NPC caught fire from beyond the arc in the second half, knocking down 12 of its 16 total treys for the game to pad its lead. With 12 second-half points, freshman guard Ja’Bryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) guided the Nighthawks to the finish line, securing the team’s third NJCAA Region II win of the year. 

Punch led the Nighthawks in scoring with 20 points, while Grimes and White finished with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Hill added 14 points, while sophomore guard Justin Davis (Waterbury, Connecticut) scored 13 points in the win. 

NPC resumes NJCAA Region II play at University of Arkansas Cossatot Saturday, February 4, beginning with the women at 2 p.m. followed by the men at 4 p.m. 

For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk men’s basketball and Nighthawk women’s basketball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.