All posts by Jose Rodriguez, Editor-in-Chief / Sports Editor

Editorial

Moving on to my next journey

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 I am so sad that my duties as the Sports Editor and Editor-In-Chief will come to an end after the  end of the semester. This is my last issue of the Observer as a staff member.

I have a lot of people to thank. First of all, I would like to thank all of my teachers that I have currently and in the past who helped me succeed in this community college, which will help me in the real world when I go to a four year school.

I would like to thank the tutors that helped me on my essays for English Comp 1 and 2 and other course that is related to writing, for example my American Literature class that I took over the summer.

I want to thank the Athletic Director Dan Blair for making me the PA announcer for home basketball games, to have some practice. It is a good learning experience for me for the future to get better and better for the real world and it is good to put in my resume.

Thank you Mary Jo for giving me an opportunity to be on staff when I joined the Observer in mid October of 2021 as the sports editor and a semester later I took over double duties also as Editor-in-Chief.

As a Sports Editor, I take this very seriously. Every game I can possibly can I will go to too cover the teams This was a fun experience that I really enjoyed. I enjoyed doing pre game interviews before the games to have sense of what the game is going to be about, so nothing will catch me by surprise in the game. I have also enjoyed writing what is happening during the games and doing post game interviews with head coaches and athletes. Also just preparing my self before the game, I don’t just look at the Knights stats, I also I look at their opponents ,their record and which players from the other team might give us a hard time and what the head coach is going to do to avoid that specific player.

Because of this Eagle Tribune assistant sports editor Hector Longo, gave me an opportunity to be a freelancer correspondent for the Eagle Tribune. free lancer as a corresponded for I covered high school football games during the month of October and early November. He told me he will reach out to me for high school basketball and hockey games and I don’t think any of this would’ve been possible if I was not part of the Observer.

This has been really fun. I wouldn’t trade this for anything in this world. I feel I am already a journalist even though I am just a student who is climbing up the ladder trying to be a sports journalist.

My ultimate goal dream job is to be a play by play baseball announcer and a sports talk show host on the radio.

I will miss NECC so much. This is my home. This is not a good bye, this is I will see you guys soon, take care.

News

Union members advocate for new contract

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Members of the Massachusetts Community College Council union at NECC recently voted to go to “work to rule,” in reaction to ongoing contract negotiations with the Board of Higher Education.

I interviewed coordinator of academic coaching and president of the executive board of the Northern Essex MCCC union chapter   Linda Giampa to get some background on what the MCC is and who it represents.

“…We are a union and we represent faculty and we represent professional staff. I am a professional staff, professional staff people like adviser, financial aid, those will be professional staff and faculty is the instructor that teaches the classes,” she said. “The contract that we are negotiating now is for full time faculty and staff. We also have a separate contract for (adjunct instructors) but that one has already has been negotiated… We are affiliated with the Massachusetts Teacher Association, MTA and the NEO which is the National Education Association,” she said.

Faculty and staff union members at NECC are advocating for a new contract with the state's Board of Higher Education
Faculty and staff union members at NECC are advocating for a new contract with the state’s Board of Higher Education Photo by Editor-in-Chief/ Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez

Giampa told what work-to-rule is and explained why faculty and staff have voted to do this.

me what is work-to rule and give me an explanation why faculty and stuff are in work to rule ?

“We can’t strike,” she said. “… What work to rule basically is is that we just do the work that we are contractually required to do… So that means we don’t do extra things like we wouldn’t serve on extra committees, search committees… so we are asking our members not to do anything extra, they should only do what they are required to in the contract,” she said.

I interviewed Tom Greene, he is a faculty member and Day Grievance coordinator in the MCC union here at Northern Essex.

I ask him if he thinks an agreement will be reached soon?

“There is negotiating that is happening, (negotiations)are ongoing,” he said.  “It is really hard to tell how close things are for reaching in agreement. It seems a couple months ago the agreement was about to happen and lately it seems that it is dragging on and on and is not going anywhere,” Greene said.

Greene and I talked about the number of community colleges that are in work to rule in Massachusetts. “Right know I think it is only two but unless there were some kind of resolution two days ago now all of the colleges are being asked to vote whether or not (they will go on) twork to rule so maybe more very soon,” he said on Dec. 1

I ask NECC President Lane Glenn if he feels not having a contract affects the morale of staff and faculty. “I understand why some people may feel discouraged by not having a contract yet unfortunately, historically it is not unusual l for things like this to happen. That doesn’t make it right or comfortable but this has happened (a numbers of times) over the years for lots of different reasons, but certainly I understand how it can be discouraging for employees which is one of the reason that we want to make an agreement as soon as possible,” he said.

I asked him how is it impacting students ? “So far I have not heard any negative impacts on students,” he said. “I think our faculty and staff are very mindful not to negatively impact our students, they know the student are most important, they are the reason why we are here in the first place, Everybody, and I don’t know a single person in this college however they are feeling in every given day who would’ve negatively impact our students.”

 

Slider, Sports

Knights defeat Roxbury battle of the national ranking

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On Thursday Dec. 8, the NECC Knights defeated Roxbury Community College 87 to 72 in the Sport and Fitness Center on the Haverhill campus.

In this week NJCAA National ranking the Knights were ranked 11th place and Roxbury 12. Both teams were undefeated in conference division play. The difference was the Knights only lost one game — it was in a non-conference game as the Knights were 13-1 in the season while Roxbury 8-0.

“I think it is huge for both teams,” NECC Knights basketball head coach Darren Stratton said before the game “I think you will see the best from both teams because having that one game up in the opponent is so critical coming down the stretch for playoff,” he said. “…Seeding means a lot and I think this is the first time that two national rank opponents from Region 21 are basically this close together squaring off against each other and it might be the first time in a long time that both teams are coming undefeated against each other,” he said.

Before the game I asked Coach Stratton about Kevin Agyemang of their opponent Roxbury, who is averaging 21.0 points per game and Roy Kalu who is averaging20.2 points per game as they are in the top two categories in points per game in Region 21.

“Kevin (Agyemang) is kind of funny, we recruited coming out of high school out of Dracut … he was down to us and Roxbury as his two schools and he ended up choosing to go play with his former coach. Albert Hayle is the former Dracut High (school) coach so he chose to go there. He is a heck of a player, heck of a shooter, we have to do an excellent job on both of those guys to not allow them to get going if Keving (Agyemang) gets done early it’s going to be a long day for us … right now he is shooting over 50 percent behind the thee point line so we can’t let him get going tonight,” Stratton said.

The game officially began at 6:03 p.m. with Roxbury winning the tip off against the Knights.

The Knights started the game on a 9-2 run, they started the game opening up pretty well giving some distance against Roxbury.

Knights vs Roxbury on Dec. 8 in the Sport and Fitness Center
Knights vs Roxbury on Dec. 8 in the Sport and Fitness Center Photo by Editor-in-Chief / Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez

Roxbury fought to make this a one point game as the game was 9 to 8.

Eventually the game was tied at 11. Luis Reynoso of Lawrence who scored 19 points in the win over Roxbury was attacking the glass. He got fouled and was on the line as he made two free throws as the Knights were back in front 13 to 11.

Reynoso extended the Knights lead with a lay up as the game was 15 to 11.

Fast forward the game was 23-18 when Tre Fite of Massillon, Ohio, banged in a three pointer to increase the Knights’ lead.

This started a run for the Knights as the Knights went on 17 to 8 run to end the first half.

The Knights had a 14 point lead when they went into their locker room at the half.

The score was 40 to 26.The Knights had seven fouls while Roxbury had eight.

During the half time warm up Edwin SamMbaka of Paris, France, dunked the ball, which is against the rules. He could have had a technical foul if the referee saw it but they didn’t.

“I forgot the rule, I was hype (laughing), I forgot the rule,” he said.

The second half began. Ten seconds in Reynoso was in the free throw line where he made one of two in.

When the game was 45 to 26 Roxbury connected with a two pointer and a three pointer as they went on a 5-0 run it ended with Reynoso attacking the glass to the rim to make this a 47 to 31 ball game.

The Knights were up by 11, it was 47 to 36 when Fite missed both free throw shots when Roxbury connected with a two pointer and a foul that completed a three points play.

The game was 49-39 after the Knights got two of those points back when Cristian Kinsley of Lawrence got injured.

“Kinsley we will know more tomorrow. I told all of my kids to say a prayer for him, he is the heart and soul in this basketball group and I‘m hoping, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him. There isn’t been a kid in my program that has ever worked harder and has done more for a basketball player than Cristian Kinsley, that’s bar none,”

Roxbury hit a two pointer.

The Knights came back with Jermeiah Melendez of Lawrence knocking down a three pointer to make this 52 to 41.

Ryan Pacy of Salem, New Hampshire, scored a two pointer on a lay up. Pacy was the highest point scorer for the Knights with 21.

“Yeah, I just had to get my rhythm first half I was a little off but the second half I got my rhythm back,” Pacy said.

Roxbury made this really interesting against the Knights. With six minutes and 37 seconds remaining the Knights’ lead was cut to six as they were up 67 to 61.

The Knights went on a 10 to 4 run to make this 77 to 65.

Things got a little intense with Pacy and one of the Roxbury players as they were nose to nose in the final minute of the game and had to be separated by the referee.

As Pacy got a Class A technical foul with 40.8 remaining and was removed from the game, sent to the locker room by his assistant coach Joe Tardiff who was trying to calm him down.

“It was just all competitiveness,” Pacy said.

“Heated part of the game I guess nothing really serious,” he said.

Nonetheless the Knights went on to defeat Roxbury 87 to 72, handing Roxbury their first loss of the season as the Knights remained undefeated in conference division play.

Slider, Sports

Knights extend their victory to nine straight

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On  Dec. 6, the NECC Knights defeated Massasoit Community College 73 to 69 in Julie Muluey Court in Brockton. The Knights picked up another nail-bitter win similar like three days prior in Springfield.

The Knights won the tip off against the Warriors and the game started at 6:32 pm.

The Knights were up 4 to 1 before the Warriors answered back to make this a 5-4 game.

The Knights then followed quickly with a 9-2 run to put the game 13 to 7 in favor of the Knights.

The Warriors made it interesting as they were creeping closer but Ryan Pacy of Salem, New Hampshire, hit a three to make this 24 to 19 in favor of the Knights.

Mehmet “R2”Asik of Ankara, Turkey, got the rebound and made it inside the bucket that increased the Knights’ lead after Warriors hit a three. Asik scored a 2 pointer with a layup.

Edwin SamMbaka of Paris, France, scored a 2 pointer. Luis Reynoso of Lawrence made one of two free throws in.

Cristian Kinsley of Lawrence shot a three and the Knights had a 16-point lead. Reynoso increased that lead to 18, which was the largest lead for the Knights.

The game was then 40-22.

The Warriors made things interesting at the end of the first half going on a run against the Knights as the Knights went into their locker room 49 to 37 with a 12 point lead over the Warriors.

Knights vs Massasoit on Tuesday Dec 6. on Brockton Mass Photo by Editor-in-Chief / Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez

The Knights started the second half with a 5-0 run but then the Knights got lazy and really were playing undisciplined basketball as the Warriors went on a 16-6 run against the Knights before Pacy banged in a two pointer.

“I think tonight we came out to play, it’s just we don’t know how to continue to play like that,” Head Coach Darren Stratton said. “We have spurts that we play great and we have spurts that an eight grade basketball team can beat us, so we got to find some kind of consistency and hopefully it starts in practice where these kids buy in and start practicing harder because Thursday night Roxbury is coming in and if we play like this Roxbury will wipe the floor with us.”

“Yes, real undisciplined basketball we started going more one on one, guys were jacking shots, it just can’t happen, we got away from everything that we do, we just totally got away from and hopefully do some kind of correction tomorrow,” Stratton said.

Darlin Santiago of Salem, Mass., was called from the bench. It was the first time that Santiago was in action after he missed a few amount of games because of injury.

After the Warriors tied at 57 they took their first lead of the game since early on in the first half.

The game was tied again at 61 before the Knights pushed them a four point lead as the score was 65 to 61.

Kinsley hit a two pointer to cut the defect to two as the Knights were down 67 to 65.

After the game Asik told me why the past two games were battles until the end. “I feel like mentally we need to focus and finish strong because we started strong but maybe we are being lazy when we (are)up like 15 to 20 points then at the end of the game is like two or four point game and we just need to keep it strong and keep it serious all game,” Asik said.

Kinsley again this time knocked down a three and a foul as he went hard into the floor in the barricade  where the fans sit in the front row of the stands with just 32.7 second left in the game as the Knights went on to defeat Massasoit 73 to 69.

Slider, Sports, Uncategorized

Women’s Basketball looking for recruits for 2023-24 season

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The NECC women’s basketball head coach is Malaquias Canery, Coach Canery also serve an assistant head coach for the men’s basketball team as he is a part of Coach Darren Stratton’s coaching staff.

I asked him about his knowledge of the game and how the different clubs and organizations he has been with will help him succeed as a head coach.

“… I have some experience overseas which kinda gives me overall different view of the game, different perspective and being here at NECC in the Men’s staff this is my third season,” he said. “I have been able to learn a lot under coach Darren Stratton, Joe Tardif, Nick Nofi, just able to pick up a lot of tips and tricks and really you know level my game up. On the side I also do a lot of personal training and there I kinda get on the women’s side of the game also just learning how to interact with both sides of the game at all different levels. So I think all that came together on my experience and what I bring at the table here,” he said.

We talked about what kind of athletes that he wants to recruit for the 2023-24 season.

Malaquias Canrey of Lawrence Women's basketball head coach
Malaquias Canery of Lawrence Women’s basketball head coach Photo by neccknights.com

“I am just looking for girls that want to work and girls that want to listen and be coached up and wants to get better and want to win games at the end of the day. Just looking for girls that want to win games, work hard, compete every day. I think that doesn’t have a shape or color or any kind of label just is kinda inside of you so any girls that has that they are more than welcomed to come battle,” he said.

Canery and myself talked about how many open sports are in the roster and how many girls are committed to play for the upcoming season.

“Everything is open at this point. We have some girls that had been inquiring, a lot of girls have expressed interest and definitely casting that need in terms of trying to put the word out, but few girls express interest for this year, but just wasn’t enough but we have a few girls committed for next year and hopefully we can get some of this local talent and mix them in,” he said.

As a coach player he should expect out of energy he mentioned to me. I am not sure what this sentence is supposed to say, it doesn’t make sense as it is.

“I’m bringing energy everyday,” Canery said. “Good vibes, we’re going to work, we’re going to work hard and is going to be every day. I’m definitely not a drill sergeant and not trying to run a boot camp here but is definitely with an idea every time we are here in the gym were trying to get better…” he said.

Slider, Sports

NECC Basketball head coach named JUCO Coach of the week

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On Monday, Dec. 5, Men’s Basketball head coach Darren Stratton was named National JUCO coach of the week for the first time ever as basketball head coach.

“It’s a tribute to my staff, the basketball players. Like I told the player’s earlier it’s a tribute to good basketball players that work extremely hard and my staff is bar none on better than one in the country against everyone,” Stratton said.

It was very surprising for  Stratton to be named for this award. “… There are so many good coaches out there so it’s a little different. It’s my first time winning this award but it also is a tribute to what we have going at Northern Essex and like I said before if you don’t put together the right staff or the right people around you or the right basketball players. I could be looking for Mr. Blair to be firing me if I was 1-12 instead of 12-1 right now so good players make good coaches in that aspect, same thing good staff makes good coaches and good players…,” Stratton said.

NECC Knights Basketball head coach Darren Stratton named National Coach of the week on December 5th
NECC Knights Basketball head coach Darren Stratton named National Coach of the week on December 5th Photo courtesy by neccknights.com

Stratton told me his wife was the first one to tell him about the news. “…She was the first and from the time she texted me. I must have close to 100 texts at work of my phone blowing up and I didn’t had no idea what was going on but after that you know we understood. I’m glad that people will start to follow Northern Essex Basketball and what we have going here, it’s such a good thing for the young men and the student athletes what we are trying to do here as a basketball program, like I told the players this is their award, not mine and I told them from day one they will tell you I’ll take credit for the losses and I’ll protect them the best that I can and the wins is all them. Coaches put players in position to win games, players go out and execute right now their executing,” he said.

Stratton told me that his ultimate goal beside his player’s graduating and moving on to a four year school is looking to win their first Regional Championship in school program history.

“I have a great coaching staff, I’m going to be honest with you Jose I couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff. I got Coach (Joe) Tardif has been with me for 20 on years he is probably my best friend… then I have Coach (Nick) Nofi who has been a head coach I think in four or five different colleges you know Coach Tardif has been a head coach, Coach Nofi has been a head coach then I have Mala(quias) (Canery) who just got the Women’s (basketball) job who brings a young invaded mind to us then I have my son Cameron (Stratton) as my volunteer assistant my younger son Talon (Stratton) who is my (Team) manager all of these people. A tribute what we are trying to do here…” Stratton said.

The Knights will travel on the road on Tuesday night on Dec. 6 against Massasoit for a 6:30 p.m. tip off before the Knights will return home on Thursday night on Dec. 8 to battle against number 12 nationally ranked in the nation Roxbury Community College tip-off at 6 p.m.

Slider, Sports

Knights rally late against the Rams

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On Saturday, Dec. 3, the NECC Knights defeated Springfield Technical Community College  Rams 59 to 57 in Springfield.

The Knights extended their winning streak to eight straight and remain undefeated in conference division play.

Before the game I asked NECC Basketball head coach, Darren Stratton about their strategy against two of the Rams big guns, Chris Ortiz and Jeremiah Barbosa.

“We’re going to key on Chris Ortiz trying to take him away, we’re going to start Edwin (SamMbaka) out on him and (Jeremiah) Barbosa we’re going to play accordingly Kevin (Monteiro) or Luis (Reynoso) will match up with them and hopefully you know team defensively we won’t let them get hunted we wille be able to get there out going on the floor,” he said.

The game officially started at 1:03 p.m. The Knights won the tip off against Rams.

Nine seconds into the game Mehemet “R2” Asik was in the free throw line where he made both shots in as the Knights had an early 2-0 early advantage.

The Knights started the game on a 6-2 run.

Luis Reynoso of Lawrence was a huge key in Saturday’s win against the Rams as Reynoso scored 23 points during the game.

Cristian Kinsley of Lawrence did not had a good game as he was 0 for 6 in the three point line in the first half and he was 0 for 10 in the entire game.

Knights vs Rams on Sat. Dec 3 at Springfield Technical Community College
Knights vs Rams on Sat. Dec 3 at Springfield Technical Community College Photo by Editor-in-Chief / Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez

“Well, you know everyone has their off days but today he might be zero for 10 but the other day he was six for eight or something like that. Everybody has their ups and downs but like the thing is this is a team game,we win as a team we lose as a team…” said Metin Yavuz of Istanbul, Turkey.

The Knights in the first half had an early lead but that lead was swept away and the Knights couldn’t hold a lead during the game until the second half of the game.

Ryan Pacy of Salem, New Hampshire hit a three to cut the Rams’ lead to three as the Knights were trailing 29 to 26.

The Knights were down by four at the half, they were trailing 31 to 27. This is the lowest points that the Knights have scored all season at the half.

“I think that is the fewest scored since I’ve been back,” Stratton said. “27 points I can’t remember the last time we scored 27 points even during the COVID year so it’s something we have to adjust to,” he said.

The second half started with the Knights committing a turn over. The Rams took advantage and scored.

Reynoso scored for two and a foul a chance for a three point play and made it 33-30 in favor of the Rams.

Pacy had a few three pointes in the second half that were key in the game as Pacy put the Knights ahead 39 to 38.

This was the first lead that the Knights had since early in the first half.

That created a mini run for the Knights as Yavuz hit a three pointer followed by Monteiro two pointer the scored was 44 to 38 in favor of the Knights.

The Rams eventually tied it at 44 when Reynoso scored for two and a foul to put the Knights ahead by three in the game.

“My teammates find me in the wide open spot and I felt it was the right shot to take and I took it and made it, it’s a team game like I said, they find me the right spot the right time and I made the shot,” Yavuz said.

The final four to five minutes of the game it was constantly back and forth. It was a war between these two teams. Every shot was important, the game was either tied or one point lead.

Reynoso went to the free throw line and after making both shots in the Knights had a three point lead. The Rams came back as they were leading by a point and the game was 55 to 54.

Reynoso put the Knights on top during the game as the score was 56 to 55.

The Rams made two free throws to put the game 57 to 56.

Reynoso scored for two and a foul as Reynoso completed a three point play to make it 59 to 57, which was the final score of the game.

Slider, Sports

Battle of the Knights in Rhode Island

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On Thursday Dec. 1, the NECC Knights defeated CCRI Knights 90 to 76 in Vincent A. Cullen Field in Warwick, Rhode Island.  

The Knights increased their winning streak to seven straight and remain undefeated in conference, division games.  

Before the game I asked NECC Basketball head coach, Darren Stratton if they were going to play the rest of the season against division teams.  

“We wanted to play a tough schedule early on just to get us prepared for our conference play because this is where the game really matters is during this time,” he said.  

The game started at 7:08 p.m. with the Knights of NECC winning the tip off.  

Mehmet “R2” Asik of Ankara, Turkey, put the Knights of NECC up from 2-0. After CCRI took a 3-2 lead in the early stage of the game Cristian Kinsley of Lawrence connected a three pointer to put the Knights up 5 to 3.  

It was back and forth in the early minutes of the game. CCRI was completely dominate on the Knights on scoring for three.  

“They had nine three pointers I think, eight or nine in the first half, we just weren’t closing out well. I think tribute to CCRI they move the ball and shot the ball very well and we adjusted in the second half,” Stratton said.  

Ryan Pacy of Salem, New Hampshire, was playing in his first game back after missing a couple games with the flu.  

“It was tough I didn’t get out of bed in about five days, didn’t eat, lost about 10 pounds, I didn’t do anything,” Pacy said.  

NECC Knights vs CCRI Knights on Thursday Dec. 1 in Warwick, Rhode Island
NECC Knights vs CCRI Knights on Thursday Dec. 1 in Warwick, Rhode Island Photo by Editor-in-Chief / Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez

The Knights of NECC started a run midway through the first period when they were up 18 to 16.  

Eventually they were down by seven but the Knights quickly went to work when Kinsley shot a three to put the Knights on top 30 to 29.  

At the end of the first half Knights of CCRI made things really interesting against the Knights of NECC. NECC Knights almost blow the lead late in the first half that tied the game at 42.  

Thanks to Metin Yavuz of Istanbul, Turkey, and Kinsley the Knights of NECC had a four point lead when they were in their locker room. The Knights of NECC were up 46 to 42 at half time.  

The second half of the game started with a steal by Luis Reynoso of Lawrence who scored 24 points in the Knights win over CCRI on Thursday night.  

Reynoso with a steal passed it to Tre Fite of Massillon, Ohio who found Kevin Monteiro of Somerville that increased the Knights lead to six.   

Edwin SamMbaka of Paris, France, followed with a two pointer.  

The Knights were in a mini run against CCRI.  

Then CCRI came back and the Knights of NECC almost blew a 11 point lead as the game was 62 to 59 in favor of the Knights.  

Angel Herrera of Lawrence knocked down a three after CCRI attacked with four more points and Kinsley connected with a three pointer of his own.  

The Knights of NECC largest lead of the game was 17 in two different occasions when they were up 88 to 71 in the game and 90 to 73.  

 

Slider, Sports

Knights extend their winning streak to six streak

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On Tuesday Nov. 29, NECC Knights defeated Bristol Community College Bayhawks 79 to 69. It was Pack the Stands Fan Fest at the game. The Knights extended their winning streak to six games.

Before the game NECC Basketball head coach, Darren Stratton was giving me injury updates.“I don’t think (Ryan) Pacy will be in uniform tonight,” he said. Phillip (Cunningham) is out and also Jeremiah (Melendez) is still out. We hopefully ….get one or two of those kids back by Thursday against CCRI. As far as tonight’s game actually we have four players that are out. ? Darlin Santiago I don’t know if you saw towards the end of the minutes of Suffolk game he pulled his hamstring so he won’t be available at least for a week or two weeks until it tries to heal to get him through,” Stratton said.

Stratton also told me before the game that Melendez went for a light workout and it went well and Cunningham is a high ankle sprain but the good thing is that the swelling has come down. Pacy is still battling with the flu.

The Knights won the tip off and the game started at 6:02 p.m.

The Knights started the game scoring the first four points before Bayhawks attacked and scored the next five that made the game five to four in favor of the Bayhawks.

Luis Reynoso of Lawrence banged in a three pointer that put the Knights ahead.

Bayhawks tied it with two free throws.

Reynoso scored the next two two points shot for the Knights. That made it 11 to 7.

Knights vs Bawhawks Basketball on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Sport and Fitness Center in Haverhill Campus
Knights vs Bawhawks Basketball on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the Sport and Fitness Center in Haverhill Campus Photo by Editor-in-Chief / Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez

Bayhawks went on a 14-3 run that ended with Peter Lopata of Groveland who scored on a two pointer.

The Knights were trailing 21 to 18 when Cristian Kinsley of Lawrence went on a tear, scoring on three pointers in four different times in a span of less than two minutes.

“I think Cristian was the difference maker tonight. I felt Luis didn’t play well, I felt I could go down the line. I think if Cristian doesn’t shoot the ball the way he did and control the game and draw coverages. I think we (would lose) this basketball game today…,” Stratton said.

That forced Bayhawks to called a full time out and the Knights bench was hyped, they were energized as the Knights had an eight point lead on the Bayhawks, 32 to 24 was the score with 6:49 left remaining in the period.

The Bayhawks were inching closer as the Knights had a five point lead less than four minutes to play in the first half of the game when Reynoso scored for two to increase the Knights lead to seven. That started the Knights 11-0 run to close the first half.

The Knights were up by 15 when they went to their locker rooms at half time with a 45-30 lead. The Knights had four fouls and the Bayhawks three.

The Knights began the second half with a 5-0 run that increased the Knights lead to 20, which was the largest lead for the Knights in this entire game when they were up 50 to 30.

When the game was 52 to 33 the Knights almost blew the lead as the Bayhawks went on a 19 to 2 run against the Knights to make it 54 to 52, making it a two point game still in the Knights favor.

“I felt today it was our worst performance of the year. I think it’s worst than what we lost in Suffolk Community College. I think we need a reality check on some of these guys, some of these guys are walking , thinking just place some up and go out and win and that’s not the case. We need guys that work hard on both ends of the floor. We have a lot of guys uncharacteristically just getting technical, we are trying to get the blame on everyone else but our self,” Stratton said.

Fast forward in the second half when the game was 69-62 with less than three minutes to play Kinsley hit another three to increase the Knights lead by 10.

Knights basketball player Edwin SamMbaka of Paris, France told me that they need to be ready for Thursday game against Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) “We just got to(stay) focused, trust our self, listen to coach and will be alright,” he said.

The Knights ended their five game home stand, the first home stand of the season, by going 5-0.

Slider, Sports

Knights All-Region Men’s Soccer

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On Wednesday Nov.2, Sam De Amorim of North Andover, Johnathan Diaz of Methuen and Fadi Serhan of Middletown were named NJCAA Region 21 All-Region by the region 21 soccer committee.

According to neccknights.com De Amorim lead Region 21 in both categories in goals and in points. Diaz’s eight assists during the season was second in Region 21 and Serhan was part of a second team for the second straight season.

De Amorim was named first team All-Region. He mentioned to me that he was really hyped when he got the phone call from NECC Soccer head coach, Coach Eusebio Marote “I know that is a really big achievement and getting nominated all region first team as a rookie made me really happy,”  De Amorim said.

De Amorim was surprised for his recognition of getting this achievement since there is a lot of good talented players in this region.

He is currently majoring in IT.

Knights Men's All-Region Soccer nominees
Knights Men’s All-Region Soccer nominees Photo courtesy of neccknights.com

His family member were really happy for him since they know how hard he works and was proud of him as well.

I asked him if he wants to play soccer professionally and for long he was playing ?

“Yeah, this is what I want to do professionally and hopefully I can get to that and I have been playing soccer since I was a little kid,” De Amorim said.

Diaz was named second team All-Region “My reaction was I was satisfies, nothing more nothing less. Coach actually told me, he called me. I was expecting first team but you know you take what you can get just work harder for next season,” he said.

He was kind of surprised winning All-Region, he told me.

Diaz is currently majoring in Accounting.

His family member told him when he got recognized for this achievement “just work harder, you happy that you got the recognition but you just go out there and work harder,” he said.

I asked him if this is what he wants to do professionally. “I have been playing soccer since I was five and yeah if the opportunity rises I am more than happy to play professionally you got to put in the hard work first,” he said.

He also said that this recognition is a motivation for next season.

Serhan was named second team All-Region “I found out online but like at the same time the only way I made it is because of the team, we put an effort and we made it. I didn’t care if I made it in the second team I care about being there for the team…,” he said.

He told me that he had it coming getting All-Region recognition that it wasn’t a big deal for him. He wasn’t surprised, he was expecting it.

He currently majoring in computer engineering.

His family was surprised of Serhan’s achievements he told me.

He has been playing since he was seven and he wants to play professional.