Slider, Sports

NECC Men’s basketball ends regular season on a high note

 
The basketball team poses for a photo on the court
The 2022-2023 Men’s basketball team poses on court on Feb. 18. | NECC Observer

In the regular season finale, The Knights earned a win over RICC (Rhode Island community college) 84-73 on Feb 18 at the fitness center. They will finish the season with a perfect (23-0) record in conference play and an overall record of (28-1). The Knights were also ranked third nationally by the NJCAA. 

For most of the first half, each team traded baskets never being separated by more than six points. After being down 20-14 The Knights went on an 8-0 run to take the lead 22-20. RICC respond with a quick three-pointer to reclaim the lead 25-22. The Knights entered the break tied at 38.

The second half opened with a 4-0 run by The Knights, 42-38. RICC anwsered with a three-pointer to cut their deficit to one. The Knights pulled away 7:01 minutes into the second half when Jeremiah Melendez of Lawerence knocked down a three-pointer. The shot ignited a 9-0 run to push their lead to 12, 61-49. CCRI hung in the contest but the deficit was too large to overcome. In the final 10 seconds Melendez grabbed an offensive rebound and dribbled out the clock, securing the 84-73 victory. 

 Team leading scores were Luis Reynoso of Lawrence and Jeremiah Melendez with 28 points and 19 points. Reynoso recorded his 24th double-double of the season with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Mehmet Asik, of Ankara, Turkey recorded a double-double of his own with 12 points and 10 rebounds. 

Now that the 2022-2023 regular season now in the books, and the NECC item donation drive to aid Turkey and Syria earthquake victims has concluded, head coach Darren Stratton’s team have their focus on the playoffs. 

“This week has been very special for the Turkish guys and our team running this contribution fundraiser for the earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey, so I think we were focused on that. Now it’s time to get back to focusing on basketball and hopefully the kids understand from this point on you’re one and done, so one loss and you go home” said Stratton. 

 The Knights entered the Region 21 East District Tournament as the number one seeded team. They remained home to square off on Saturday Feb 25 against Rhode Island community college in the quarterfinals. First tip was scheduled for noon at the fitness center.