NECC Basketball Returns to Post-Season Play This Weekend

The Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball team is hoping this weekend’s return to post-season play will be a slam dunk.

Earning the fourth seed in the Massachusetts Community College Athletic Conference tournament with a record of 16-11, the Northern Essex Knights will take on top seeded Bristol Community College on Saturday. Tip off is at 3:30 p.m. in Springfield.

Saturday’s matchup comes after the Knights and Bristol Bayhawks split their two regular season games with each team winning at home.

Head coach Joe Tardif is confident in his team, comprised entirely of first-year players. Knights hoopsters Alexis Estrella of Lawrence and DJ Greenhalgh of Dracut have both earned regional bragging rights this season, ranking in the top five for three point field goals and rebounds per game respectively.

“We’ve been playing great team basketball down the stretch and I’m excited to see how far this group can go,” Tardif said.

Following this weekend’s game, Northern Essex will play in the Region XXI Tournament against MassBay on Feb. 28 in Haverhill.