The Comeback Kid: Lawrence's Lora puts two tough years behind him to star at Northern Essex

By Dave Dyer , Staff Writer
Eagle-Tribune

HAVERHILL - Northern Essex Community College is the perfect school at the perfect time for Miguel Lora.

The 2003 Lawrence High graduate went to Salem State with high ambitions, but things just didn't work out. He was on the Salem State team as a freshman, but he said he never fit in. And things just went downhill from there.

Lacking the self-discipline to succeed academically at a four-year school, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Lora was ineligible as a sophomore. Furthermore, he was in an accident in which he suffered a herniated disc in his back, which required surgery in June 2005.

"I was eligible last year, but when I started working out, it was too hard," said Lora. "There was too much pain."

As if that wasn't bad enough, Lora was having trouble paying for school. Remaining at Salem State this year proved impossible.

It was time for Northern Essex to come to the rescue - academically, athletically and financially.

"I just couldn't afford to go there this year," said the 22-year-old Lora. "I was feeling better. ... I knew some guys from the area on the (NECC) team, so I wanted to play with them and get back into it (basketball)."

It's worked out just as he had hoped. While attaining good grades and gaining credits for an anticipated transfer back to Salem State next year, Lora has been paying the bills, working a full-time job at Reliable Security when not in the classroom or on the court.

On the court, Lora - despite not playing for two years - has been everything Knights coach Darren Stratton could hope for. Considered an all-around player at Lawrence, Lora started the season by making the all-tournament team at the New Hampshire Tech Tournament.

Through nine games, playing both small forward and guard, the former Eagle-Tribune All-Star is averaging 10 points, two steals and six rebounds.

"He does it all," said Stratton. "He rebounds, he scores and he plays good, aggressive defense."

And, says freshman Miguel Suarez of Lawrence, "He (Lora) is a smart player. He's not fancy ... he's straight up and just gets it done."

Lora, however, is not satisfied.

"Taking two years off, you lose a lot," he said. "It takes a long time to get back into it and I'm not all the way there yet. You can get back in shape, but you lose your skills."

One thing Lora has not lost is his focus on winning games rather than putting up statistics, a trait he was known for at Lawrence High. Although it's his first and only year in the program, he's a captain for the Knights, a role he takes seriously.

"After we lost to Mass. Bay and didn't play well, he came up to me and asked what he could do to get the team to play better," said Stratton. "That's the kind of kid he is."

It's also the kind of kid Stratton has come to expect from Lawrence High players. Last year, it was Ulises Espinal who made an impression while this year it's Suarez, Cesar Espinosa and Lora.

"(Lancers coach) Paul Neal does a great job with them," said Stratton. "The Lawrence kids are disciplined and committed. If I called a practice at 5 a.m., I know they'd be there."

And, if it would help the team, Lora would probably be the first one there.

The Lora File

Name: Miguel Lora

Age: 22

High School: Lawrence High

College: Northern Essex, transfer from Salem State

Major: Political science

Basketball contribution: Team captain, plays guard and forward, averages 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals

Goal: Return to Salem State and get his degree