Exclusive

Northern Essex Community College Knights Triumph Over Gateway Community College 98-76

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The seventh ranked Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball team ran its win streak to 12 games Saturday afternoon, taking down Gateway Community College on the road by a 98-76 final. Luis Reynoso of Lawrence led the offensive effort as he recorded a triple-double with a game high 26 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Darlin Santiago, of Salem, Mass., and Jeremiah Melendez of Lawrence both recorded double-digit points for the second consecutive game as they each recorded 10 points. Edwin SamMbaka, of Paris, France, joined the trio in double figures with 13 points. Peter Lopata of Groveland keyed a strong defensive effort for the Knights as they took a 17 point lead into the locker room at halftime leading 53-36.

Haverhill

Boston Celtics to Trade Vonleh, Former Haverhill High Athlete

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Former Haverhill High School athlete F. Noah Vonleh is being traded by the Boston Celtics in exchange for a future conditional second-round pick from the San Antonio Spurs and relief from a fully guaranteed contract had he remained with the Celtics past Jan. 7. The news was reported simultaneously by a number of sports sources. Vonleh, who attended Haverhill High School before transferring in 2011 to New Hampton School in New Hampshire, was signed by the Celtics last September to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Vonleh earned one of the Celtics’ 15 roster spots for opening night against Philadelphia 76ers.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Hosts 10th Annual Jingle Bell Half Marathon and 5K Sunday

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The 10th annual Jingle Bell Half Marathon and 5K takes place this Sunday in Haverhill. The race begins Sunday, Dec. 11, at 9 a.m., with the starting line at the Sports and Fitness Center at Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott St., Haverhill. The half marathon is a figure eight loop course that runs along the Merrimack River. Water stops will be available at two and a half miles, five miles, seven miles and 10.5 miles while Gatorade is offered at five miles and 10.5 miles.

Education

Haverhill Junior Hillies Play Londonderry Lancers Sunday in Football Playoffs

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The Haverhill Junior Hillies Youth Football team has made the playoffs. On Sunday, the Hillies play the undefeated powerhouse Londonderry Lancers. The Hillies, 4-4, were beaten twice by Londonderry, but are betting for an upset. “The young program is developing well,” said Head Coach Bryan Faulkner. The Junior Hillies play in the Northeast Junior High Football League.

Haverhill

Report: Celtics Sign Former Haverhill High Student Vonleh

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Haverhill Native F. Noah Vonleh has signed a one-year contract with the Boston Celtics, according to a report from ESPN. Vonleh attended Haverhill High School before transferring in 2011 to New Hampton School in New Hampshire, earning All American Honors. He played his college ball at Indiana, leaving to enter the NBA when he was 19. Turning 27 in just a few weeks, the Celtics are his eighth team in the league

At Indiana, Vonleh was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and third team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill YMCA Plans Free Basketball Clinic Next Week

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The Haverhill YMCA is having a free Basketball Clinic for players of all ages and skill levels next week. Haverhill High School Varsity Coaches Melissa Tarpy and Souleymane Wane conduct the clinic Tuesday, July 26, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the YMCA, 81 Winter St., Haverhill. The first 30 participants will receive a free t-shirt. No registration is required.

Education

Canery and Eaton Join Athletics’ Coaching Staff at Northern Essex Community College

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Malaquias Canery and Richie Eaton have joined the Northern Essex Community College coaching staff for the upcoming year. Canery will serve as women’s basketball coach while Eaton takes over the reins of the men’s and women’s golf program. Canery was born and raised in Lawrence and attended Clinton, N.Y., High School, where he graduated as the school’s all-time leading scorer before moving on to play four seasons at Clarkson University. Eaton, a Hudson, N.H., native, comes to Northern Essex with five years of experience in the golf industry. Canery spent of portion of the last year assisting Darren Stratton with the men’s program at NECC as an assistant coach before spending eight months in Kuwait, Qatar and Dubai working for and developing youth basketball programs for Hoop Mountain.

Education

Northern Essex Community College Knights Baseball Enters NJCAA World Series Saturday

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The Northern Essex Community College baseball team, Region 21 and Northeast District Champions have earned the three seed in the NJCAA World Series slated to begin Saturday in Greeneville, Tenn. This will be the Knights eighth all-time appearance in the World Series and seventh trip since 2012. The Knights’ opponent will be the lone at-large selection to the eight-team tournament in sixth seeded Herkimer College who fell in the championship game of the North District to Niagara County Community College who was named the fourth seed in the tournament. The two-team split a double header on March 16th in Florida. The Knights game on Saturday is slated for 9:30 a.m. Entering the World Series, Northern Essex leads the nation in all three major offensive categories—batting average at a .393 clip, .491 on base percentage and slugging percentage .608.