By Dan Blair, NECC Director of Athletics

Utica, NY (March 14, 2023) – Northern Essex Community College head men’s basketball Darren Stratton was named the NJCAA East District Coach of the Year on Tuesday evening at the National Championships award in advance of the tournament beginning on Wednesday.

Darren Stratton is the NJCAA East District Coach of the Year

Stratton, who has led the Knights to a 31-1 record and a first-round tournament bye, will take the court on Thursday afternoon at 4:00 pm in the national quarterfinal against the winner of Wednesday’s first-round matchup between 5th-seeded Northampton and 12th-seeded Dutchess.

The Knights’ lone loss of the season came back on November 12th to Suffolk County Community College and since have reeled off 27 straight wins and led the nation in all rebounding categories.

In his 20th season over two stints with the program, Stratton sits with a career record of 288-202 and led NECC to its first-ever national championship tournament berth as the Knights rolled through the Region 21/East District Tournament defeating Roxbury Community College by a 91-76 final on March 5th to secure their trip to the national tournament.

Watch tournament action live here and learn more about Stratton and the Knights by visiting neccknights.com.