Story by NPCC Athletic Communications
North Platte, Neb. – The Knights took an early lead and never looked back as they earned the 66-33 win over Southeast Community College in the Region IX Championship on Saturday afternoon. The win marks the fourth Region IX title for the Knights in the last five years.
Jada Thompson notched her first double-double of the season finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Madison Cheleen added 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field.
"Defense won us the game today and offensive rebounds gave us more scoring opportunities," said head coach Jeff Thurman. “Could not be prouder of our student-athletes today and for their commitment to the program.”
Knights and Bobcats had trouble settling into an offensive rhythm early. North Platte relied on their defense as they built a 13-5 lead on a jumper by Dezirae Gonzales. Madelyn Lubischer connected on a three to halt the rally, but North Platte responded with a 4-0 run to take a 17-8 lead into the quarter break.
North Platte embarked on an 8-3 run in the opening 6:32 of the second quarter to take a 25-11 lead. A pair of free throws pulled the Bobcats back within twelve, but a 6-0 burst capped off by a three from Cheleen gave the Knights the 31-13 lead at the half.
Out of the break, Kateria Gooden helped stretch the advantage to 36-13 with 7:04 to play. Southeast kept pace with the Knights in the third quarter until a 9-0 run gave the Knights their largest lead of the game at 50-20. Southeast could not shake the North Platte defense over the final 11:04 of the game, as the Knights cruised to their second straight Region IX title.
"Now we get a chance to compete for a district championship on our home floor," Thurman said. “That was one of our goals at the beginning of the season.”
North Platte (19-12) will host the Northwest Plains A District Championship next Saturday inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. They will host the winner of Ellsworth and North Iowa Area Community College which is slated to be played on Monday in Iowa Falls, Iowa.