North Reading resident Jeff Mejia hit another milestone in his successful run as baseball coach at Northern Essex C.C.
With its fourth win of the year, currently playing it’s Florida stretch of 10 games on its southern trip, Mejia hit the magic number.
The Knights are currently on an epic run as a program with three straight NJCAA Div. 3 World Series appearances.
Hoopsters honored
A pair of Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball standouts picked up All-Region 21 honors as recently selected by a vote of the league’s coaches, while Knights head coach Darren Stratton was named Region 21 and East District Coach of the Year for a third consecutive season.
Alejandro Delgado (Haverhill) picked up first team honors while Javien Kirmil (Lowell) was selected to the second team.
Delgado, who appeared in all 33 games on the season with 27 starts, was the Knights leader in both scoring and rebounds as he averaged 14.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. His rebounding figure was good for fifth in the region. He dropped a season and career best 29 points in the regional championship game victory over Quincy and recorded 20 or more points on five separate occasions during the season. On fourteen occasions during the season he picked up double digit rebounds including a season best 17 against Massasoit December 14th.
Kirmil, a second-year guard started all 31 games he played in this season averaging 11.7 points per games, scoring in double digits 16 times on the season with a single game high of 28 on February 17th against Bunker Hill. Over his two seasons in the Knights uniform he played in 64 games and finished his two seasons 604 points. He is expected to move on next season to continue his playing and academic career at American University in Spain.
Stratton, who picked up his 350th win leading the Knights in the regional championship game has guided the program to three consecutive national tournament appearances and became only the second program in Region 21 history to win three consecutive titles and first in 37 years.
For the season, NECC finished with a 29-4 overall record and placed 9th in the national tournament.
Hamilton named new women’s volleyball coach
Northern Essex Community College has hired Jasmine Hamilton as the college’s new head women’s volleyball coach. She began her duties last week.
“I can’t wait to get started and see what each individual can bring to the team. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be the next volleyball coach at NECC and look forward to not only enhancing the skill set of the players, but to be a positive role model for the student-athletes on and off the court,” commented the new coach.
Hamilton enjoyed a standout high school playing career at Alvirne High as an outside hitter where she led the team to multiple appearances in the New Hampshire Division I state tournament and most recently has been a member of the Alvirne coaching staff for the past two seasons.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Jasmine to NECC and excited for her fresh new perspective and leadership for the program. She will be a valuable asset as we continue to build upon the previous successes of the program,” commented Blair.
Hamilton currently teaches biology and anatomy at Lowell High School and is a graduate of UMass-Lowell where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in biology. She stays active in the sport playing in recreation leagues throughout the region. Jasmine currently resides in Windham, N.H.