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SEASON PREVIEW/OPPONENTS
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2021-22 PREVIEW
SEASON OUTLOOK
JAMES RICHARDS III KAVONTE TUNSTALL
Although November 1 marks a new chapter for the Northwest men’s basketball program, the same goals remain for head coach Shane Oakley.
Now entering his fourth overall season as the Rangers’ head coach (including his 2018-19 interim stint), Oakley has guided the Rangers to the postseason in two of his three seasons so far. Last year, Northwest battled to an 8-8 overall record and the quarterfinals of the expanded Region 23 Tournament, earning a road victory at Jones College.
“Our goal is to always set ourselves up to make the playoffs,” Oakley said. “You always want to win the whole thing, but everything is a little different now with the conference alignment. So instead of winning the North Division or winning it all, you have to get into the top eight or whatever it is now. Winning the league is a lofty goal and sometimes you fall short, but we’re always going to play up-tempo and do what we need to do to go as far as we can.”
Speaking of the new conference alignment, the MACCC no longer consists of North and South divisions for men’s or women’s basketball. Each team across the state will play every conference team once in the regular season, aside from some non-conference games occurring early in the season against traditional division rivals.
Although Oakley admits that the conference schedule will become a little more challenging, the Rangers have no intentions of backing down from the challenge.
“I have mixed emotions about it,” Oakley said. “I hate that we’re not playing our traditional division opponents twice, at least not in true conference competition. If you look at our schedule, there’s not any warm-up games anywhere. We open with Coahoma in a non-division game right out of the gate, then we go to East Mississippi, and there’s no guarantee that you go 2-0 to start. It’s going to be tough, but we have what we have and we’re going to be ready each and every night.”
Although the Rangers lost leading scorer DeAntoni Gordon and a big forward in Carlos Curry to the Division I ranks, Northwest does bring back a handful of third-year sophomores for some rare veteran experience. With COVID-19 giving many the option to play an extra year, the Rangers will have everyday starters James Richards III and Kavonte Tunstall back in the lineup, along with Quen Kyles, who redshirted his freshman season in 2019-20.
Adding to the mix of returning players are Jaylon Sanders, Cori Bell and T.J. Hannah, and all five provide their own qualities for Oakley’s club.
“It’s all about maturity more than anything else,” Oakley said, regarding his five returners. “At this level, right around the time you get your players where you want them, they’re gone. Even though this is a rare circumstance, we have the opportunity to have three guys back for a third year. They’ve matured and worked on their game and they understand the day-to-day grind of playing JUCO basketball. Those are things that they can relay to our newcomers, so when you get into competition, these things don’t have to be new to them. Bringing them back doesn’t do anything but help you as a team.”
Richards and Tunstall have been mainstays in the starting rotation since arriving at Northwest in 2019. Standing at 6-2 and 170 pounds, Richards averaged 8.2 points per game in 16 games last season, earning three games in double figures. Tunstall, a native of Byhalia, averaged 5.4 points per game as a guard/forward combo.
Additionally, Sanders brings back a wealth of experience after finishing as the Rangers’ thirdleading scorer last season. In 16 games, the 6-5, 175-pound guard averaged 9.6 points per games and reached double figures six times, including a season-high 17 points in a double overtime loss to Holmes on March 4. Bell and Hannah also earned valuable minutes last season, with Hannah fighting through a now-healed hip injury.
Adding to the excitement of this year’s squad is a pair of highly-touted freshmen, Isaiah Gaines and Ethan Pickett. Gaines, a 6-7, 225-pound forward from Pensacola, Fla., turned heads in this summer’s JUCOReport.com showcase, as did Pickett, a 6-4 guard from Canton, Ga.
“The first thing people will notice is that they’re great players,” Oakley said, on the out-of-state duo. “Isaiah can really handle it, shoot it and guard all five positions. Ethan is an athletic guy that can play anywhere and get things done where needed. They’re both really tough and athletic, but the best part of them is that they’re also great people and great teammates. They’re humble and we’re hoping that transitions to the rest of our team as well.”
Adding to the mix is Olive Branch native and Pearl River transfer Joseph Cooper, and Kansas City, Mo. native London Taylor.
“(Cooper) comes from a good Pearl River program and has picked up some great experience,” Oakley said. “London is an athletic guy that we found late, and he’s sneaky athletic. He shoots the ball really well and I think we really got a great find in both of those guys.”
Guards Zandon Haralson (Center Hill), Braxton Taylor (Senatobia), Ra’Mond Tuggles (Byhalia) and forward Kareem Thompson (Horn Lake) round out the newcomers on this year’s roster, all of whom are expected to make valuable contributions.
Northwest will open the season on Monday, November 1 at Coahoma at 6 P.M.
JAYLON SANDERS
2021-22 SEASON OPPONENTS
Coahoma
November 1 • 6 P.M. • Clarksdale, Miss. • The Pinnacle January 20 • 6 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Clarksdale, Miss. Founded: 1949 Enrollment: 1,860 President: Dr. Valmadge Towner Athletic Director: Reggy Hankerson Conference: MACCC Nickname: Tigers Colors: Maroon & Silver Arena: The Pinnacle Head Coach: Dell Cannon Winter 2021 Record: 3-12 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 2-11
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Bradley Charles Phone: (662) 621-4044 Email: bcharles@coahomacc.edu Web Address: coahomasports.com Series History: Northwest leads series 83-13 First Meeting: 1972 (no date recorded): Northwest won by forfeit Last Meeting: March 18, 2021 in Senatobia: Northwest 83, Coahoma 68
East Mississippi
November 4 • 6 P.M. • Scooba, Miss. • Keyes T. Currie Coliseum December 2 • 6 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Scooba, Miss. Founded: 1927 Enrollment: 3,232 President: Scott Alsobrooks Athletic Director: Sharon Thompson Conference: MACCC Nickname: Lions Colors: Red, Black & White Arena: Keyes T. Currie Coliseum Head Coach: Billy Begley Winter 2021 Record: 11-6 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 9-4
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: David Rosinski Phone: (662) 476-5042 Email: drosinski@eastms.edu Web Address: emccathletics.com Series History: Northwest leads series 78-47 First Meeting: 1952 (no date recorded): East Mississippi 75, Northwest 68 Last Meeting: March 10, 2021 in Senatobia: East Mississippi 66, Northwest 55
SAU Tech
November 8 • 7:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum December 9 • 7 P.M. • Camden, Ark. • SAU Tech Gym
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Camden, Ark. Founded: 1968 Enrollment: 1,800 Chancellor: Dr. Jason Morrison Athletic Director: Amy Diehl Conference: NJCAA Region II Nickname: Rockets Colors: Navy & Gold Arena: SAU Tech Gym Head Coach: Martin B. Levinson Winter 2021 Record: 20-5 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 9-1
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: None (refer to AD) Phone: (870) 574-4478 Email: adiehl@sautech.edu Web Address: sautrockets.com Series History: Northwest leads series 3-1 First Meeting: November 6, 2018 in Camden, Ark.: SAU Tech 98, Northwest 95 Last Meeting: December 4, 2019 in Senatobia: Northwest 99, SAU Tech 96
Faith Prep
QUICK FACTS:
Location: West Memphis, Ark. Founded: Unknown Enrollment: Unknown Founders: Daniel Bandy/W. Randolph Brown Nickname: Warriors Colors: Red & Black Arena: None (travel team) Head Coach: Daniel Bandy Winter 2021 Record: Unknown
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: None Phone: (901) 430-0211 Email: info@faithprepwarriors.com Web Address: faithprepwarriors.com Series History: Northwest leads series 9-0 First Meeting: November 10, 2015 in Senatobia: Northwest 113, Faith Prep 63 Last Meeting: November 20, 2019 in Senatobia: Northwest 106, Faith Prep 72
2021-22 SEASON OPPONENTS
Meridian
November 15 • 8 P.M. • Meridian, Miss. • Graham Gymnasium February 3 • 6 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Meridian, Miss. Founded: 1937 Enrollment: 3,096 President: Dr. Tom Huebner Athletic Director: Sander Atkinson Conference: MACCC Nickname: Eagles Colors: Green & White Arena: Graham Gymnasium Head Coach: James Green Winter 2021 Record: 8-6 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 8-4
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Christopher Haralson Phone: (601) 484-8828 Email: charals1@meridiancc.edu Web Address: mcceagles.com Series History: Northwest leads series 17-1 First Meeting: 1976 (no date recorded): Northwest 82, Meridian 46 Last Meeting: January 5, 2005 in Meridian: Northwest 102, Meridian 84
Mississippi Delta
November 18 • 6 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum January 10 • 6 P.M. • Moorhead, Miss. • J.T. Hall Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Moorhead, Miss. Founded: 1926 Enrollment: 3,609 President: Dr. Tyrone Jackson Athletic Director: Jason Conner Conference: MACCC Nickname: Trojans Colors: Red & Black Arena: J.T. Hall Coliseum Head Coach: Derrick Fears Winter 2021 Record: 5-12 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 3-11
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Jason Conner Phone: (662) 246-6479 Email: jconner@msdelta.edu Web Address: mdcctrojans.com Series History: Northwest leads series 83-40 First Meeting: 1930 (no date recorded): Northwest 21, Mississippi Delta 19 Last Meeting: March 8, 2021 in Moorhead: Northwest 68, Mississippi Delta 65
Arkansas State Mid-South
November 29 • 7:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum February 15 • 6 P.M. • West Memphis, Ark. • The Dog House
QUICK FACTS:
Location: West Memphis, Ark. Founded: 1992 Enrollment: 657 President: Dr. Debra West Athletic Director: Bryan Nobile Conference: NJCAA Region II Nickname: Greyhounds Colors: Red & Black Arena: The Dog House Head Coach: Chris Parker Winter 2021 Record: 16-5 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 7-3
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Mark McClellan Phone: (870) 733-6049 Email: mpmclellan@asumidsouth.edu Web Address: asumidsouthsports.com Series History: Northwest leads series 13-7 First Meeting: November 13, 2010 in Marion, Ark.: ASU Mid-South 82, Northwest 78 Last Meeting: January 27, 2020 in Senatobia: ASU Mid-South 77, Northwest 72
Holmes
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Goodman, Miss. Founded: 1925 Enrollment: 5,678 President: Dr. Jim Haffey Athletic Director: Andy Wood Conference: MACCC Nickname: Bulldogs Colors: Cardinal, Black & White Arena: Frank Branch Coliseum Head Coach: Jason Flanigan Winter 2021 Record: 16-4 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 11-3
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Steve Diffey Phone: (662) 472-9068 Email: sdiffey@holmescc.edu Web Address: holmesathletics.com Series History: Northwest leads series 80-49 First Meeting: 1939 (no date or result recorded) Last Meeting: March 4, 2021 in Senatobia: Holmes 90, Northwest 84 (2OT)
2021-22 SEASON OPPONENTS
Jones College
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Ellisville, Miss. Founded: 1911 Enrollment: 3,876 President: Dr. Jesse Smith Athletic Director: Joel Cain Conference: MACCC Nickname: Bobcats Colors: Maroon & Gold Arena: A.B. Howard Gymnasium Head Coach: Newton Mealer Winter 2021 Record: 6-6 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 6-5
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Kevin Maloney Phone: (601) 477-4146 Email: kevin.maloney@jcjc.edu Web Address: jcbobcats.com Series History: Northwest leads series 12-7 First Meeting: 1951 (no date recorded): Northwest 58, Jones College 56 Last Meeting: April 1, 2021 in Ellisville: Northwest 72, Jones College 70
Pearl River
January 18 • 6 P.M. • Poplarville, Miss. • Marvin R. White Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Poplarville, Miss. Founded: 1924 Enrollment: 3,914 President: Dr. Adam Breerwood Athletic Director: Scotty Fletcher Conference: MACCC Nickname: Wildcats Colors: Maroon & Gold Arena: Marvin R. White Coliseum Head Coach: Chris Oney Winter 2021 Record: 12-2 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 10-1
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Dylan Dunaway Phone: (601) 403-1488 Email: ddunaway@prcc.edu Web Address: prccathletics.com Series History: Northwest leads series 13-9 First Meeting: February 27, 1995 in Clinton: Northwest 84, Pearl River 64 Last Meeting: April 6, 2021 in Poplarville: Pearl River 68, Northwest 56
Northeast
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Booneville, Miss. Founded: 1948 Enrollment: 3,500 President: Ricky G. Ford Athletic Director: Kent Farris Conference: MACCC Nickname: Tigers Colors: Black & Gold Arena: Bonner Arnold Coliseum Head Coach: Cord Wright Winter 2021 Record: 15-4 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 11-2
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Blake Long Phone: (662) 720-7448 Email: bdlong@nemcc.edu Web Address: nemccathletics.com Series History: Northeast leads series 68-66 First Meeting: 1950 (no date recorded): Northeast 70, Northwest 51 Last Meeting: February 25, 2021 in Senatobia: Northeast 83, Northwest 70
East Central
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Decatur, Miss. Founded: 1928 Enrollment: 1,958 President: Dr. Brent Gregory Athletic Director: Paul Nixon Conference: MACCC Nickname: Warriors Colors: Black & Gold Arena: Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium Head Coach: Rahim Lockhart Winter 2021 Record: 4-12 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 3-11
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Lucas Calvert Phone: (601) 635-6377 Email: lcalvert@eccc.edu Web Address: ecccathletics.com Series History: Northwest leads series 36-8 First Meeting: 1951 (no date recorded): Northwest 80, East Central 61 Last Meeting: December 8, 2012 in Senatobia: Northwest 82, East Central 69
2021-22 SEASON OPPONENTS
Hinds
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Utica, Miss. Founded: 1903 Enrollment: 12,000 President: Dr. Stephen Vacik Athletic Director: Nathan Werremeyer Conference: MACCC Nickname: Bulldogs Colors: Maroon & Gold Arena: J.D. Boyd Gym Head Coach: Jonathan Nevol Winter 2021 Record: 13-3 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 11-2
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Matthew Alford Phone: (601) 857-3323 Email: matthew.alford@hindscc.edu Web Address: sports.hindscc.edu
Mississippi Gulf Coast
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Perkinston, Miss. Founded: 1911 Enrollment: 5,678 President: Dr. Mary S. Graham Athletic Director: Steven Campbell, Jr. Conference: MACCC Nickname: Bulldogs Colors: Blue & Gold Arena: Weathers-Wentzell Center Head Coach: Tim Ryan Winter 2021 Record: 6-11 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 4-10
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Don Hammack Phone: (601) 928-6315 Email: don.hammack@mgccc.edu Web Address: mgcccbulldogs.com Series History: Northwest leads series 19-10 First Meeting: 1970 (no date recorded): Mississippi Gulf Coast 78, Northwest 58 Last Meeting: February 24, 2014 in Fulton, Miss.: Mississippi Gulf Coast 108, Northwest 97
Itawamba
January 31 • 5:30 P.M. • Fulton, Miss. • Davis Event Center
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Fulton, Miss. Founded: 1948 Enrollment: 4,238 President: Dr. Jay Allen Athletic Director: Carrie Ball-Williamson Conference: MACCC Nickname: Indians Colors: Red & Navy Arena: Davis Event Center Head Coach: Grant Pate Winter 2021 Record: 5-9 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 5-9
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Adam Gore Phone: (662) 862-8059 Email: acgore@iccms.edu Web Address: letsgoicc.com Series History: Northwest leads series 82-41 First Meeting: 1950 (no date recorded): Northwest 42, Itawamba 34 Last Meeting: March 22, 2021 in Fulton: Northwest 61, Itawamba 58
Southwest Mississippi
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Summit, Miss. Founded: 1932 Enrollment: 1,788 President: Dr. J. Steven Bishop Athletic Director: Bill Wallace Conference: MACCC Nickname: Bears Colors: Blue & Red Arena: Bear Gym Head Coach: Bryan Bender Winter 2021 Record: 8-10 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 6-8
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Travis Connelly Phone: (601) 276-3878 Email: tconnelley@smcc.edu Web Address: southwestbearathletics.com Series History: Northwest leads series 32-21 First Meeting: 1952 (no date recorded): Southwest Mississippi 80, Northwest 69 Last Meeting: December 2, 2019: Southwest Mississippi 71, Northwest 51
2021-22 SEASON OPPONENTS
Copiah-Lincoln
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Wesson, Miss. Founded: 1928 Enrollment: 3,094 President: Dr. Jane Hulon Sims Athletic Director: Bryan Nobile Conference: MACCC Nickname: Wolves Colors: Blue & Gray Arena: Grayson L. Mullen Gymnasium Head Coach: David Sanders Winter 2021 Record: 3-10 Winter 2021 Conference Record: 2-9
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Natalie Davis Phone: (601) 643-8354 Email: natalie.davis@colin.edu Web Address: colinathletics.com Series History: Copiah-Lincoln leads series 36-19 First Meeting: 1930 (no date recorded): Copiah-Lincoln 32, Northwest 4 Last Meeting: November 18, 2014 in Summit, Miss.: Northwest 86, Copiah-Lincoln 70
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