North Ridgeville’s Joe Faragher was named the NEC Tip-Off Tournament MVP after leading New England College to a 3-0 week where he averaged 17.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.

Faragher scored 21 points in just 27 minutes in the Pilgrims’ win over UMaine Presque Isle, then followed it up with a 12 point, 10 rebound game in a win over Suffolk to earn the honors.

New England College men’s basketball is off to a program-best 5-0 start, after defeating the Newbury College Nighthawks 67-66 on Tuesday night. Faragher added 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Faragher had an unfortunate foot injury during his senior year while playing for North Ridgeville, but never gave up he continued his fight to play college basketball. He was offered a chance to play even with his foot still in a cast.

Last year, Faragher earned the team’s MVP award after playing and starting in 17 games for the Pilgrims. He led the team in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game. He also grabbed 6.6 rebounds per game and led the team with 25 steals.

The Pilgrims returns to action on Friday when they take on Lancaster Bible College in a tournament hosted by Eastern Nazarene College.

swalker@MorningJournal.com