Haverhill, MA (February 29, 2024) – For the first time, Northern Essex Community College is set to host the men’s and women’s NJCAA East District/Region 21 Championships Tournament Semi-Finals and Finals this coming weekend, Saturday, March 2nd, and Sunday, March 3rd. The 2024 tournament will mark the first time the men’s and women’s championships have been held at the same site since 2020.

The Knights men’s basketball team has earned the tournament’s top seed for the second consecutive season and advanced to the tournament’s final four by virtue of Wednesday evening’s 93-61 quarterfinal victory over Roxbury. Luis Reynoso (Lawrence) led the Knights with a 29-point, 15 rebound performance in the quarterfinal.

NECC will be looking to become the first back-to-back Region 21/East District Champion since Springfield Tech accomplished the feat in 2003 and 2004.

Going into the tournament, NECC leads the nation in scoring defense, holding the opponent to 61.5 points per game on the season while ranking second in rebounding with 57.7 rebounds per game.

On the women’s side, Northern Essex will be making their first postseason appearance since 2010 as the program returned this season after a 13-year hiatus.

The Knights will be the second seed and are led by the duo of Mirelys Morales (Dracut)and McKayla Dingle (Haverhill), who are averaging 16.8 and 13.6 points per game, respectively.

All games will be played at the Sport and Fitness on the Haverhill Campus, and Admission is free throughout the weekend.

Games are also live-streamed on YouTube.

Tournament Schedule:

Women’s Semi-Finals Saturday March 2nd
#1 CC Rhode Island vs. #4 Roxbury 11:00am
#2 Northern Essex vs. #3 Massasoit 1:15pm

Women’s Championship Sunday March 3rd
Semi-Final Winners 1:00pm

Men’s Quarterfinals Wednesday February 28th
#1 Northern Essex 93 #8 Roxbury 61
#2 Quincy 85 #7 Bunker Hill 66
#3 Quinsigamond 83 #6 CC Rhode Island 77
#4 Bristol 77 #5 Massasoit 88

Men’s Semi-Finals Saturday March 2nd
#1 Northern Essex vs. #5 Massasoit 4:00pm
#2 Quincy College vs. #3 Quinsigamond 6:15pm

Men’s Championship Sunday, March 3rd
Semi-Final Winners 3:30 pm

Written by Dan Blair, Director of Athletics