The men’s basketball team is back in full gear. They are coming off a very successful season where they went 33-3 and won the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III championship, which was the first title the Knights have ever won. Because of their title win last March, the Knights came in first place in the preseason poll by NJCAA Basketball Committee.
Key returning players include guards Jay’von Depina from Brockton and Jacob Mercedes from Salem.
“That rank means absolutely nothing,” Darren Stratton, who is in 24th season as Knights head coach, said about the team’s preseason rank since there’s a lot more new faces this year than last year. But as for how they can defend their championship
Stratton made an emphasis on Team Chemistry; “It’s always we over I. No matter what, if we can establish that and this young group can understand that we don’t point fingers, make excuses, and not be selfish we have a chance to be successful.”
He also added “They have to be willing to make the extra pass, the right play, if they don’t do that then they’re going to have a tough time with me.”
With a lot of new faces here this season, the sophomores who were part of the championship team last season made it a priority to make the freshman feel welcome and ready.
“Just giving them advice, guidance, and holding them accountable” said sophomore Jacob Mercedes who averaged 3.6 PPG last season. “It’s a whole new level for them and since we’re number one in the nation right now it’s gonna be more of an expectation for them to come out and perform.”
“They’re all dogs,” sophomore Jay’von Depina who averaged 7.2 points per game last season said about the new freshman on the team. “Every single freshman loves fighting through adversity, and they’re ready to do the same goal that we completed last year.”
“We got to develop together as a team and build up that chemistry,” said rookie forward Martin Drejaj who is expected to have a big role this season in the frontcourt.
Other freshmen and transfers include Bjarki Gunthorsson from Reykjavik, Iceland, Kutay Hatunoglu from Istanbul, Turkey, Aiden Walter from Lowell, Aiden Torres from Lawrence, Leonard Hilliard from Charlotte, North Carolina and Cheyton Marshall from Worcester.
The Knights begin their season on the road against Monroe University - Bronx on Saturday, Oct. 31st at the Robert J. Collins Arena in Lincroft, New Jersey at 3 p.m, and their first home game will be on Saturday, Nov. 7 against Gateway Community College - CT at Northern Essex Community College at 2 p.m.