Story by NPCC Athletic Communications
North Platte, Neb. – A trio of North Platte Community College men’s basketball student-athletes garner Region IX, Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference and postseason honors from the Omaha World-Herald.
Parker Baumann and Bryce Baez were named to the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference team, while Davion Evans received honorable mention accolades from the conference. Additionally, all three student-athletes were named to the Omaha World-Herald's All-Midlands men's basketball team, while Baez and Evans received Region IX South honors at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
Evans finished the season ranked second in the region in points per game (16.3) and tenth in three-point shooting (33.3%). He scored in double figures 18 times during his 21 game appearances this past season.
Baez, who averaged 12.3 points per game, finished 15th in the region in that category. The native of Burlington, Iowa closed out the season ranked seventh in region in total rebounds (197) and third with a 79.8 percent free throw percentage.
Baumann appeared in all 29 games averaging 14.2 point per contest. The freshman guard finished the season second on the team in scoring and seventh in region. He also closed out the season eighth in the region in steals (1.2) and 13th in rebounds per game (5.6).
Kade Erickson of North Platte Community College and John Ritzdorf of Central Community College were named NCCAC Co-Coaches of the Year. Erickson stepped into the interim role on December 12 and guided the Knights to a 5-1 conference record to help North Platte claim the NCCAC title.
Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference TeamParker Baumann, Fr., G, North Platte Community CollegeBryce Baez, So., F, North Platte Community CollegeBlake Daberkow, So., F, Central Community CollegePJ Davis, So., G, Central Community CollegeFrank Keller, Fr., F, Central Community CollegeBryan Akanmu, RFr., W, McCook Community CollegeMartel Evans, So., G, McCook Community CollegeLouie Tucker, Fr., G, McCook Community CollegeJustin Bolis, Fr., F, Southeast Community CollegeCollin Tarver, Fr., G Southeast Community College
Honorable MentionDavion Evans, So., G, North Platte Community CollegeRadek Pulsipher, So., G, Southeast Community College
Coach-of-the YearKade Erickson, North Platte Community CollegeJohn Ritzdorf, Central Community College
All-Region IX South TeamFirst TeamLateef Patrick, Fr., G, Trinidad State CollegeJalen Foy, So., F, Northeastern Junior CollegeJJ Harris, So., G, Western Nebraska Community College
Second TeamAnthony Harris, So., F, Otero Junior CollegeKeliese Frye, So., F, Trinidad State CollegeWillie Wilson, Fr., G, Western Nebraska Community College
Third TeamDeng Diew, Fr., F, Northeastern Junior CollegeLouie Tucker, Fr., G, McCook Community CollegeTay Mosher, So., F, Otero Junior College
Honorable MentionMartel Evans, So., G, McCook Community CollegeDavion Evans, So., G, North Platte Community CollegeBryce Baez, So., F, North Platte Community CollegeSean Lindsay, Fr., G, Lamar Community College
South Coach of the YearBilly Engel, Western Nebraska Community College
Omaha World-Herald's All-Midlands Men's Basketball TeamDavion Evans, So., G, North Platte Community CollegeVincent Garrett, Fr., G, Northeast Community CollegeJJ Harris, So., G, Western Nebraska Community CollegeLouie Tucker, Fr., G, McCook Community CollegeBlake Daberkow, So., F, Central Community College
Honorable MentionBryce Baez, So., F, North Platte Community CollegeParker Baumann, Fr., G, North Platte Community CollegePJ Davis, So., G, Central Community CollegeMartel Evans, So., G, McCook Community CollegeBryce Rolle, So., F, Northeast Community CollegeJustin Bolis, Fr., F, Southeast Community CollegeCollin Tarver, Fr., G, Southeast Community CollegeKayden Nation, Fr., W, Western Nebraska Community CollegeWillie Wilson, Fr., G, Western Nebraska Community College