All posts by Daniel Henrick, Sports Editor

Sports

Men’s Basketball secure first program Region 21 East/District title, win 91-76.

 

On championship Sunday, March 6th Men’s basketball defeated Roxbury community college 91-76 to claim their first region 21 East/District championship title. In addition, the nationally ranked Knights extended their winning streak to 27. The win advances The Knights to their first NJCAA championship tournament in program history.

The knights jumped out to a fast lead when Mehmet Asik scored a two-pointer to go up 2-0. The Knights grew their lead to 14. RCC chipped away at their deficit in the first half but couldn’t make up enough ground. The Knights went into the Lockeroom with an eight-point advantage, 41-32. 

Offensively, Johnathan Lingisi of Hamilton, ON led the way in scoring with a career high 24 points. Ryan Lacey of Salem, New Hampshire scored 17 points off the bench, the most since early December. Asik added 13 points. A Lawarence duo Jerimiah Melendez and Luis Reynoso each scored 11 points. 

On defense Lingisi and Edwin SamMBaka of Paris, France held RCC two top scorers bellow their season averages. 

A viewing party to determine the playoff bracket seeding was held Wednesday March 8th at the spurk building in lecture hall A. There It was determined that The Knights entered the tournament as the fourth seed and faced Northampton community college. The NJCAA tournament took place from March 14th– March 18th in Herkimer, NY. 

Sports

Knights mens’s basketball advance to Region 21/East District finals with a 93-53 victory over MassBay.

 

On Saturday March 5th The Knights beat MassBay community college 93-53 at Holyoke community college in the Bartley center. The win marks their second consecutive Region 21 East/District finals appearance and their 26th consecutive win. They faced Roxbury community college on championship Sunday. 

Four Knights scored double digits points. Those players were Jeremiah Melendez of Lawrence, Peter Lopata of Groveland, Luis Reynoso of Lawerence all scoring 11 points. Phillip Cunningham of Haverhill added 10 points.  

Mehmet Asik of Ankara, Turkey and Cunningham led a strong defensive effort holding The Buccaneers to just 29% shooting from field goal range and 13% from three-point land. Asik and Cunningham recorded a combined nine defensive rebounds. 

The Knights jumped out to a quick 11 point lead over The buccaneers. The Knights took a commanding 31-point lead into halftime 54-23. They carried their first half dominance into the second by out scoring The Buccaneers 39-31. The Knights prevailed with a final score of 93-54. 

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A second half surge fuels a 98-63 win, NECC men’s basketball advances to semi-finals

 
A basketball player shoots a basket
Jeremiah Melendez of Lawrence lines up a three pointer in a game against Rhode Island Community College on Feb. 25. Photo by Daniel Henrick

A second half surge fuels a 98-63 win, advance to semi-finals 

In the quarterfinals of the region 21 East district playoff tournament The Knights took down Rhode Island Community college (RICC) 98-63 on Feb. 25. They advanced to face MassBay in the semi-finals of the region 21 East district tournament. 

A dominant performance from bench players, Angel Herrera of Lawrence and Phillip Cunningham of Haverhill carried the team’s offense scoring 11 and 18 Points each. Kevin Monterio and Tre Fight contributed off the bench as well. 

“We’ve been the deepest team in the region bench wise. I think I have five guys on my bench that would be starters on other teams in the region and I decided to go with them to give us a lift” said head coach Darren Stratton. 

Luis Reynoso of Lawrence recorded his 25th double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. 

The first half was a grind never being able to create distance in the score. The Knights entered halftime with a five point lead 48-43. Seven minutes into the second half The Knights Pulled away on a 44-8 run to put the Knights on cruise control en route to their 98-63 victory.  

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NECC student skiing trip offered

 

Interested in hitting the slopes? The NECC athletics and recreation are organizing a skiing trip to Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, NH. Interested students must apply by March 3 at the Athletic center desk.

The ticket price is $27 per student (if the student is under the age of 23). Costs include a van ride to Gunstock. The costs do not include equipment which can be rented at the mountain. Due to limited space on the travel shuttle the trip is limited to the first 10 students who apply.

The trip will take place on March 10, departing from the NECC Athletics center on a round trip from 8 a.m. and a return at 6 p.m. The trip is being sponsored by professor Douglas Leaffer. For more information contact professor Douglas Leaffer at dleaffer@necc.mass.edu 

 

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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.