Knights Battleground Week 27
#3 Women’s Basketball climbs up in the national rankings; Men’s Basketball look to continue their 4-game winning streak.
Women’s Basketball: With only 3 games left in the regular season, the Lady Knights climb up one spot in the NJCAA rankings. The Lady Knights started the season as the fourth ranked team, where they stayed there until the last week of votes. The Lady Knights are currently (18-3), while being (14-0) in region play. The Lady Knights played two games this past weekend. Friday the Lady Knights played the Springfield Tech Rams in the first game of a CCRI doubleheader. The Lady Knights would dominate the Rams 107-16. The Lady Knights had 5 different players who scored 11 points or more. Maleeya Robbins led the team in scoring with 19 points, followed by Kellylyn Kozlin and Charlize Romero with 16 points. Natalyah Williams recorded a double-double, having 11 points & 12 rebounds.
The next day the Lady Knights hosted the #1 ranked team in the USCAA, the Central Maine CC Mustangs for a 1PM tip-off. The game proved to be a challenging and physical one for both teams. The Lady Knights were able to gain the lead, going into the half 24-17. Coming out of the half the Mustangs offense came to life, scoring 25 points in the third quarter alone. The Lady Knights would continue to fight and be physical on defense until the very end forming a comeback of their own. But in the end the Central Maine Mustangs would hang on to win 60-56. Despite the loss, Genesis McNeill had a career game leading the team in every statistical category. 25 points, 12 rebounds, 6 steals, 2 blocks.
The Lady Knights (18-3) next matchup is against the Bunker Hill Bulldogs (9-5) Wednesday, February 18th @ 6PM. While also hosting the last game of the regular season against The Bristol Bayhawks on Friday, February 20th @ 5:30PM.
Men’s Basketball: The Knights continue to climb up Region 21 rankings, now reaching #4 in the Region from their previous #6 spot. The Knights are now (16-8) with a (13-7) record in regional play. Two great wins this past week propelled the Knights to a 4-game winning streak here late in the season. The Knights first traveled to Massbay CC last Tuesday night to face the Buccaneers. After a close first half score, the Knights offense would explode, scoring 53 points in the second half. Winning the game 89-72. Dariel Encarnacion & Logan Volker both recorded a double-double. Encarnacion would record 11 points & 13 rebounds, while Volker recorded 15 points & 15 rebounds. But the lead scorer of the night was Davante Abney who had 19 point and went 5-10 shooting from the 3 point line.
Closing out the week on Friday the Knights hosted the Rams for the last game of the CCRI doubleheader. The Knights would hold on to a late second half comeback by the Rams and secure the win 81-75. Dariel Encarnacion recorded another double-double, a team high 14 points & 15 rebounds. Dylan Vale would record a career-high 12 points coming off the bench for the Knights.
The Knights (16-8) next matchup is against the Massasoit Warriors (16-4) Tuesday, February 17th @7PM. Then hosting the last game of the regular season against the Bristol Bayhawks Friday, February 20th @7PM.