Johnson’s layup with 3.8 seconds left second Knights to fourth straight Region 21/East District Championship
Alex Johnson’s layup with 3.8 seconds remaining in the game gave the top seeded and #2 nationally ranked Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball their first lead of the game since the 19:00 mark of the first half and sent the Knights to their fourth straight NJCAA Region 21/East District Championship.
Haverhill, MA (March 1, 2026) – Alex Johnson's (Worcester) layup with 3.8 seconds remaining in the game gave the top seeded and #2 nationally ranked Northern Essex Community College men's basketball their first lead of the game since the 19:00 mark of the first half and sent the Knights to their fourth straight NJCAA Region 21/East District Championship. With a 68-66 final score the Knights picked up their 30th win of the season.
In front of a standing room only crowd at the Sport and Fitness Center, Johnson finished with a game high 23 points matching the output of Quincy's Karmari James. For the Knights Jacob Mercedes (Salem) scored a career high 14 points off the bench.
Trailing for all but 19 seconds in the game and by as many as 10 points at the 10-minute mark of the second half, NECC's high pressure defense turned up the volume and forced four Quincy turnovers in the game's final two minutes.
The Knights frontcourt of Christian Sanders (Boston) and Alejandro Delgado (Haverhill) scored eight points apiece in the game.
With a 30-3 overall record the Knights are likely to receive an opening round bye in the NJCAA National Tournament scheduled for March 11-14th in Herkimer, NY on the campus of Herkimer College. The 12-team tournament field will be announced on Wednesday at 6:00pm live on the NJCAA Network.
Notes: Alex Johnson was named the Region 21/East District Tournaments most outstanding player.
The Knights fourth straight NJCAA Region 21 Championship ties the Region 21 and New England record for consecutive men's basketball championships.