NORFOLK, NE – The Northeast Community College men’s basketball team is gearing up for its 2017-18 season.

Led by Coach Dan Anderson, who begins his 21st year with the team, The Hawks finished 21-10 last season and third in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). Their season ended with a 108-87 loss to Iowa Western Community College in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XI semi-final.

“We are really looking forward to this season,” Anderson said. “We have a lot of talented players, and they have really bought into the system.”

Four returning players, two transfers and six newcomers comprise the Hawks’ roster this season.

Returning players for Northeast include Allen Anderson, Osseo, MN; Majok Kur, Mitchell, SD; Melkisedek Moreaux, Hamburg, Germany; and Julius Sakinis, Nebraska City.

Coach Anderson said Moreaux, who averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game last season, plays with ample energy and can average a double-double.

He further praised the Hawks’ other returning players.

“Allen is one of the team leaders, is very vocal on the floor and does a great job at directing traffic. Majok has a nice touch around the basket and is also a very good rebounder. Julius has the ability to score inside and take up space. He is a good defender.”

Anderson, Kur and Moreaux were named to the ICCAC Academic All-Region Second Team last season.

Northeast has also included two transfers on its roster: Seth Coatta, Minneapolis, MN, and Brandon Villalpando, Norfolk. Coatta is a guard who comes to Northeast from North Dakota State University, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I school. Villalpando transferred from Midland University.

Freshmen players this season include Moses Byekwaso, London, United Kingdom; Jeremiah Coddon, Woodbury, MN; Yousef Gasim, Jackson, MN; Tristen Kamal, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Jaquan Sanders-Smith, Minneapolis, MN; Asher Scavella, Nassau, Bahamas; and Steve Wooten, Madison, WI.

Junior Denis and Josh Clark serve as assistant coaches.

Northeast will open their 2017-18 season when they face York College JV on Wednesday, November 1, at 4 p.m. in York.