The Knights basketball team is off to an undeniably hot start. Since NECC is located in Massachusetts, most of the team is from the same state. There is one player, though, that is from the neighboring state of New Hampshire.
Matt Lynch, a Business Administration major from Plaistow, N.H., is in his second year at NECC and playing in his second season for the basketball team. He had not played any organized basketball in Mass. until last season.
“I played Varsity Basketball at Timberlane Regional High School. My senior year (I helped) the Owls bring home their first win of the season versus Keene after starting 0 and 17 … we also put an end to the historic 81 game Division I losing streak,” Lynch said.
With the 11-4 start that the Knights have worked up to, some might call the great record surprising or even attribute it to luck. That’s not what the Knights believe: they expect to win every game on the schedule.
“Not one player on this team is surprised by our hot start. We’re surprised we’ve even lost. Every game we have at least three or four guys step up to make plays and contribute to our winning success,” Lynch said.
“All 12 of us are playing this game to add another basketball banner to our gymnasium.”
After the first couple weeks of the season, the team had to adapt when Assistant Coach Joe Tardif stepped into the head coaching position. Since Tardif took over, the team has not lost a step and have garnered a winning record in his time so far.
“Coach Tardif has handled the head coach position exceedingly well and continues to be a role model and great influence in all of our lives on and off court,” Lynch said.
Under Tardif, Lynch might have played his best game of the season on the road against Springfield Tech. He hit three 3-pointers, shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, scored 15 points and recorded 5 assists and 2 rebounds. This, all while coming off the bench.
“My ultimate goal for school and basketball is to graduate from NECC on the dean’s list and win a championship with my teammates,” Lynch said.
Lynch is also entertaining the idea of transferring to a four-year university at the end of the school year. He says he will be going to Salem State University to play basketball for the Vikings.
Lynch may be moving on after the year but he has only good things to say about NECC and the Knights.
“My basketball shining moment has been here at NECC developing skills, mental toughness and building character and values which I’ve acquired from the coaching staff. It was a tough transition into my freshman year from playing basketball for a public New Hampshire high school, to understanding, learning and training for the extremely fast-paced game style we run here at NECC. Now, as a sophomore, I realize it was worth every damn second.”
