Haverhill, MA (February 26, 2026) – The Northern Essex Community College women's basketball team seeded third in the Region 21 outscored sixth seeded Quinsigamond 60-17 over the games final three quarters and advanced to Friday nights semi-finals with a 74-34 victory. The Knights will travel to second seeded Holyoke on Friday evening at 6:00pm with the winner advancing to Sunday's championship game.
Rhaelyn Gutierrez (Methuen) scored a game high 23 points and in the process scored the 1,000th point of her two year career at NECC.
She was joined in double figures by a trio of teammates as Shaneley Henriquez (Haverhill) scored 16 while Serena Rechdan (Byblos, Lebabanon) and Rebecca Heathman (Billerica) each scored 10. Heathman also grabbed a game high 13 rebounds.
The Knights will be playing into the semi-final round for the third straight season and will look to advance to their second championship game in three last three years.