Reynoso, SamMbaka, Stratton Earn Region 21 Honors
Haverhill, MA (03/05/2024) — For the second consecutive year Luis Reynoso (Lawrence) has been named the NJCAA Region 21 Player of the Year and First Team All-Region honoree, while Head Coach Darren Stratton has been named the Region 21 Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. Edwin SamMbaka (Paris, FR) has also been recognized as he was selected to the All-Region Third Team.
Reynoso, one of the nation's most prolific all-around performers picks up the double recognition once again as he ranks nationally in several categories on both the offensive and defensive side of the court. In 28 games played, he's averaged 13.5 rebounds per games which ranks fourth in the country, while ranking 15th in total points with 546 and 19.5 points per game. His 135 assists are good for 18th in the country and his 65 steals rank 25th in the country.
SamMbaka, the regions premiere defensive player appeared started all 30 games he's appeared in while guarding the oppositions top offensive threat and each game holding the opponent's top scorer below their season scoring average. In the process he picked up two steals per game and averaged 7.4 rebounds to go along with 34 blocked shots. On the offensive side of the ball he averaged 8.2 points per game.
Stratton, the mastermind behind the resurgence of the Northern Essex basketball team since rejoining the program in the spring of 2020 led the Knights to their second consecutive unbeaten conference season and an overall record of 30-1, with a national ranking as high as two at the seasons midpoint, before finishing the season ranked third in the country. The Knights became the first men's program to win back to back region championships since Springfield Tech in 2003 and 2004.
NECC awaits their national tournament seeding to be announced on Wednesday at 2:00pm live on the NJCAA Network. The seeding and selection show will be shown in Lecture Hall A of the Spurk Building on the Haverhill campus and the college and local community are invited to attend. National Tournament play is scheduled to begin on Wednesday March 13th at Herkimer College in Herkimer, NY.
Northern Essex Community College, the first Federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution in New England, is an education leader for the Merrimack Valley. Through a supportive learning environment and cultural inclusion, NECC embraces all identities and inspires initiative and excellence through top-notch affordable certificate and associate degree programs online and at campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence. NECC offers many bachelor's degree transfer options, workforce development and community education classes, and is host to the NECC Police Academy, MassHire Merrimack Valley, and Gallaudet University's Regional Center for the deaf and hard of hearing. Visit Northern Essex online at www.necc.mass.edu.
Northern Essex Community College
Melissa Bouse, (978) 556-3869, mbouse@necc.mass.eduShare this Story
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