Observer Department: Sports


NECC welcomes the 2024 athletics hall of fame class

A trio of former Knights were inducted into the 2024 class on March 20. The three recipients were a cross-country standout, Larry Fowle, standout baseball player Colby Maiola and Sercan Fenerci a standout basketball player and a team CEO. The ceremony took place at the technology center.  “We covered three…


Darren Stratton honored with NBAC award

On April 7th, Men's basketball head coach Darren Stratton was presented with the Guardians of the game champion. The honor came a year after Northern Essex finished with back-to-back region 21 finals victories. Coach Stratton received the award at the final four and NBAC (National association of coaches) convention in…


NECC sweeps Roxbury in doubleheader

 Northern Essex baseball added to their win column with a double header sweep against Roxbury community college on March 30 at Trinity stadium. NECC (6-9) extended their win streak to three in a row. The Knights won by scores of 18-1 and 16-6, both were run rule shortened games.  Game…


Knights basketball players honored

On March 5 both men and women’s basketball members were nationally recognized. The women’s team is playing their first season since the program went into a thirteen-year hiatus. They finished (12-9) and second in the conference. Meanwhile, the men’s basketball team who were nationally ranked finished with a (32-2) overall…


Women’s basketball falls to CCRI in East District finals

The Knights postseason run ended March 3 with a 65-48 loss to the community college of Rhode Island. The Knights will finish (12-9) and as regional runners-up in their first season back from a thirteen-year hiatus. The Knights struck first in the opening quarter with a pair of free throws…

Woman basketball team members pose together the court.


Knights outlast Massasoit in 2OT, advance to championships

The Knights punched their ticket to the East district championship round with a double overtime victory over Massasoit community college 85-77 on March 2. Offensive heroics in OT from forward Mirelys Morales of Dracula, MA helped keep The Knights playoff run alive. Morales, who averaged 17.9 PPG, was clutch scoring…

Women basketball players on the court playing.


Knights advance to Region 21 championship

On March 2 the Knights knocked off Massasoit community college 63-52 to advance to the East district championship round for the third year in a row. The nationally ranked Knights improved to a (29-1) record overall this season. The victory marks the first time since a team in the region…

Men's basketball team members huddle around their coach.


Men’s basketball captures East district title

For the second consecutive season Northern Essex men’s basketball will participate in the NJCAA tournament in Herkimer, NY. The Knights captured the region 21 title for a second season in a row with an 80-69 victory over Quincy community college. They improved to (32-1) this season.  This is just the…

Men's basketball team members pose for a team photo on the court.


Morales leads Knights past Roxbury

The Knights defeated Roxbury community college 66-39 at the fitness center on Jan 30. The win puts the Knights at (8-6) and (7-2) in conference play.  The Knights opened the first quarter on a 9-0 run in five minutes. A layup by the Tigers broke the streak and onto the…


Men’s basketball defeat CCRI 92-73

On Jan 23 the nationally ranked Knights took down The Community college of Rhode Island 92-73. The victory extends their winning streak to three in a row. NECC improved Thier record (15-1) this season.  NECC got off to an electric start with an 11-0 run over the opening four minutes.…