The 2024 Northwest Mississippi Community College Women’s Basketball Media Guide is a digital publication of the Northwest Sports Information Office. This publication was written and edited by Sports Information Director Brian Lentz, with contributions from Assistant Sports Information Director Brian Oakley, student intern Thomas Hunt, and graphic designers Jennifer Corbin and Kevin Pitts. Additional editing provided by the Northwest Office of Marketing and Communications. Cover designed by Kevin Pitts and Brian Lentz.
Photography provided by: Kevin Pitts, Brian Lentz, Brian Oakley, NJCAA, Kevin Maloney, Brett Brown, Lee Adams, Michael Miller, Gather Lacefield, Justin Ford, Julie Bauer, Sarah Smith, Carly Fox and Rocketeer yearbook archives. All records and award winners were compiled based off archived information from Northwest Mississippi Community College and the NJCAA. Any records or statistics not included in this publication can be submitted to the Sports Information Office by emailing Sports Information Director Brian Lentz at blentz@northwestms.edu or by calling (662) 562-3303.
President: Dr. Michael J. Heindl (Hinds Community College, A.A. - 1994) (Mississippi College, B.S. - 1997) (Western Michigan, J.D. - 2001) (Mississippi State, Ph.D - 2011)
Director of Athletics: Jake Gordon (University of Utah) (Saint Leo University)
Conference: Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference Colors: Navy Blue (PMS 280), Scarlet Red (PMS 186), Valor Blue (), White Football Facility (Capacity): Howard Coliseum (2,500)
Alma Mater, Year: Northwest Mississippi Community College (A.A. - 1998) University of Mississippi (B.A. - 2001) University of Northern Colorado (M.S. - 2016) Career Record: 22-27 (.449); Two seasons Conference Record: 9-19 (.321)
X (formerly Twitter): @LATARYL / @NWCC_WBK
Assistant Coach: Vaquela Pimpton; Two seasons Strength and Conditioning Coach: Randal Pharr; Fourth season Academic Athletic Coordinator: Charlesy Kennedy
National Championships: 0
Region Championships: 6 (1979-80, 1995-96, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06)
orthwest Mississippi Community College is an open-access, public, two-year institution primarily serving Benton, Calhoun, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, and Yalobusha counties. NWCC is a learning-centered community providing educational opportunities with quality instruction for students from all walks of life. Our college fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and student success. We strive for continuous improvement, with a standard of excellence in every area of the institution. Our college partners with businesses and industries that seek to grow the economy and the workforce, as well as partners with alumni, friends, and others. Engagement takes place in all communities that the college serves.
PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Northwest offers the pre-requisites you need to prepare for an exciting four-year degree at any of Mississippi’s colleges or universities. We also offer nearly 40 Career and Technical programs designed to teach students the practical skills needed for a wide variety of jobs in the workforce.
AREAS OF STUDY
Department of Business
Department of Education
Department of Fine Arts
Department of Languages and Communications
Department of Social Science
Department of Nursing
Department of Mathematics
Department of Natural Sciences
Career-Technical Education
School of Health Sciences
COST
Northwest is less than half the price of a Mississippi public college or university ($1,695 per semester versus an average $3,700 per semester).
FINANCIAL AID
Over 90 percent of Northwest students receive some sort of financial assistance.
STUDENTS
Over 7,000 students spread across six campuses located in Senatobia, Batesville, Olive Branch, Southaven, Ashland and Oxford. The
student to faculty ratio is 20:1.
Northwest offers 10 competitive athletic programs and is known state‐wide for its tradition of excellence in intercollegiate sports. The Rangers have won six national titles since 1982 in football, women’s basketball and cheer. Since 2000, over 350 Northwest student-athletes have gone on to play at over 150 different four-year schools around the country. Over 50 of those have gone on to play professionally.
STUDENT LIFE
Life at Northwest is so much more than classes and studying. Intramurals, athletics, clubs and organizations and campus activities give Northwest students a chance to unwind from classes and get involved on campus and in the community.
ACCREDITATION
Northwest Mississippi Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the Associate of Arts degree, the Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates in career education. Questions about the accreditation of Northwest Mississippi Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 6794500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Northwest Mississippi Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran in all its programs and activities. Northwest Mississippi Community College prohibits sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence, regardless of sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. The following have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990/Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Disability Support Services Coordinator, Tate Hall, P.O. Box 7046, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number (662) 562-3309, e-mail address mkelsay@northwestms.edu; Title II of the Age Discrimination Act: Vice President for Finance and Administration, James P. McCormick Administration Building, P.O. Box 7017, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number (662) 562-3216, e-mail address jhorton@northwestms.edu; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972/Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: (For student-related matters) Associate Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management, Tate Hall, P.O. Box 7010, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number (662) 562-3409, e-mail address trush@northwestms.edu or (for employment-related matters) Director of Human Resources, James P. McCormick Administration Building, P.O. Box 7038, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number (662) 560-5216, email estanford@northwestms.edu.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JAMIE ANDERSON Tallahatchie
DR. RACHELL ANDERSON Tunica
JERRY BARRETT Vice Chairman • Tate
STEVE BOSTICK Benton
JEAN ANN CASEY Calhoun ANGIE CRAWFORD Quitman
STEVE CUMMINGS Yalobusha
BILL DAWSON Marshall
ALEE’ DIXON Tate
DIANA GRIST Benton
SYLVIA HICKEY Tallahatchie
SAMMY HIGDON Yalobusha
BRENDA HOPSON Quitman
STURGIS MONTEITH DeSoto
JOHN T. LAMAR JR. Board Attorney • Tate DR. LISA LANGFORD Calhoun
MIKE MOORE Lafayette
DR. DELL PHILLIPS Panola
DR. CARRIE SKELTON Marshall
CORY USELTON Chairman • DeSoto
JAY FOSTER Lafayette
DOROTHY WILBOURN Panola
DR. MICHAEL J. HEINDL PRESIDENT
Dr. Michael J. Heindl was selected as the ninth president of Northwest Mississippi Community College by the college’s Board of Trustees during a special meeting held April 26, 2018 on the Senatobia campus.
A native of Clinton, Heindl heads the state’s third-largest community college with a current enrollment of over 7,000 students on six campuses and online.
Heindl, a community college graduate, brings with him to Northwest experience in a number of areas, including finance, technology, legal issues, human resources, emergency management, campus leadership, student services, workforce training and admissions.
Heindl holds a Ph.D. in community college leadership from Mississippi State University (2011), a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University (2001), a B.S. in psychology from Mississippi College (1997) and an Associate of Arts in general studies/music from Hinds Community College (1994).
He began his career in education in 2001 as golf tournament coordinator at Hinds Community College and also served as an intern for the Mississippi Supreme Court while working on his law degree during that time. In July, 2001 he became dean of students for Wesley College in Florence before being named district director of Admissions and Records at Hinds in 2003.
In 2006, Heindl was program specialist for Career and Technical Education at the Mississippi Community College Board, where some of his responsibilities included coordination for all career-technical programs and workforce training for the state’s 15 community colleges.
In 2007 he returned to Hinds, where he worked for four years as dean of students for the Rankin County Campus before being named vice president of the Jackson County Campus of MGCCC in 2011. A year later, he moved into the position of executive vice president of Administration and Finance.
In addition to his administrative experience, Heindl has 17 years of teaching experience, having served as an adjunct instructor for legal courses in both the Department of Business and in the Career-Technical paralegal program at Hinds. He has also taught graduate-level courses in higher education law at Mississippi College and was an adjunct professor teaching Community College Legal Issues in the Community College Leadership doctoral program at Mississippi State University
Active in a number of professional groups and community organizations, Heindl served as president-elect of the Community College Business Officers Association (CCBO), a member of the Gulf Coast Business Council Master’s Class and the Education Strategic Planning Committee for the Mississippi Coast, on the Planning Committee for Leadership Mississippi and an Angel runner for Ainsley’s Angels, a national organization that provides racing/running experiences for special needs individuals.
He has served as a member of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Structured Pathways, Statewide Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement Task Force and was on the MGCCC District Athletic Council. He also assisted other colleges with the accreditation process by serving on the Finance Accreditation Review Team for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
J.
with his
Among his many accomplishments are the MGCCC Master Trainer Award, CCBO Outstanding Chief Business Officer Award, and Mississippi Top Ten Business Leaders Under 40. He has participated in leadership programs including the AACC Future Presidents Institute, Mississippi Economic Council, Leadership Mississippi and Leadership DeSoto County. Dr. Heindl was also named as a 2021 Top CEO by the Mississippi Business Journal, and most recently, he was nominated to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges.
Heindl is married to the former Jennifer Ingram, and the couple have three children: Taryn (28), Harrison (20) and Nicholas (18), along with a grandson, Jayson (9).
Under the leadership of DR. MICHAEL J. HEINDL, Northwest has experienced growth in numerous areas. One of those areas include overall facilities, a plan that included upgrades at Bobby Franklin Field, a new, state-of-the-art softball/soccer facility and a new baseball facility, slated for completion in Spring 2025.
DR. MICHAEL
HEINDL pictured
wife, Jennifer, children Taryn (28), Harrison (20) and Nicholas (18), and grandson, Jayson (9). Heindl was selected as the College’s ninth president on April 26, 2018.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JAKE GORDON
Jake Gordon enters his third year as the Director of Athletics for Northwest Mississippi Community College.
In his two full years of leadership, Gordon has overseen the growth of the Northwest athletic program, helping bring back men’s golf and be one of two Mississippi JUCOs to start a women’s golf program. The two sports will begin competing this fall.
Meanwhile, the Rangers have thrived across the board during Gordon’s tenure. The Northwest football team continues to reach the postseason, while the men’s and women’s tennis teams both made their respective NJCAA tournament debuts in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, the Northwest women’s soccer program has made back-to-back appearances in the NJCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship tournament, while also capturing their first NJCAA Region 23 title in program history.
One of Gordon’s first hires at Northwest, rodeo coach Will Lummus, has raised the bar of success for the Ranger rodeo program. After sending Colby Burgess to the College National Finals Rodeo in 2023, the Northwest men’s rodeo team had five athletes compete in the CNFR during the summer of 2024.
Additionally, Gordon was also responsible for hiring an entirely new women’s basketball coaching staff, led by head coach and 2023 Northwest Sports Hall of Fame inductee LaTaryl Williams. In his second season, Williams’ squad made it to the first round of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. Other sports, such as baseball and softball, have also continued to reach the postseason during Gordon’s tenure.
Gordon has made it a point to highlight the Rangers’ success in the classroom as well, establishing the inaugural Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for the 2022-23 academic year. He also appointed Charlesy Kennedy to the role of athletic academic advisor, while establishing Tori Fugatt’s role as football academic advisor. Together, the duo helped 175 student-athletes earn recognition to the Fall 2023 Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and 142 to the spring edition. Northwest also had three teams (football, baseball, volleyball) earn MACCC All-Academic Team of the Year recognition, while the Ranger football program garnered NJCAA AllAcademic Team of the Year honors.
Gordon came to Northwest in July 2022 from Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, where he spent three seasons as the assistant athletic director for the Buccaneers. While at Blinn, he was in charge of eligibility of all student-athletes, gameday operations and live streaming all home games on the college’s YouTube channel.
Gordon has nine years of experience at the NJCAA level, previously serving two seasons as the assistant athletic director at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio. While at Lakeland, he assisted with the day-to-day operations of the athletic department, eligibility and the Athletic and Fitness Center. Gordon was also in charge of athletic communications, administered the website, promoted the College’s seven NJCAA Division II sports programs, administered an academic tracking system for student-athletes, oversaw the academic retention program for student athletes and held event management duties.
Prior to his tenure at Lakeland, Gordon also had an earlier stint at Blinn College as the communication and sports information specialist for three seasons. Gordon was instrumental in providing coverage to the media on the Buccaneers’ national championship volleyball program in 2014, four national titles in cheer and dance and three national tournament appearances for volleyball, softball and women’s basketball.
Since being hired as the college’s athletic director in June 2022, JAKE GORDON has helped Northwest grow both on and off the field. In addition to reviving men’s golf and adding women’s golf, Gordon has also helped establish student-athletes’ success in the classroom.
Gordon worked at various newspapers in Utah prior to his arrival at Blinn, including the Salt Lake Tribune, Tooele Transcript-Bulletin, Deseret News and The Vernal Express. While at The Vernal Express, he served as the sports editor, covering high school and local sports for Uintah County, designing sports pages and maintaining the sports section of the website.
Gordon is a native of Tooele, Utah and received his bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the University of Utah and Master of Business Administration in sports administration from Saint Leo University. He and his wife, Tiffany, have two children, Lucy and Andrew.
NORTHWEST ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Office: (662) 562-3303
Fax: (662) 562-3303
Mailing Address:
MEDIA INFORMATION
COVERAGE
Northwest Mississippi Community College Athletic Communications Department
4975 Hwy. 51 North Senatobia, MS 38668
SPORTS INFORMATION CONTACTS
BRIAN LENTZ
Director of Sports Information
Cell: (901) 626-7885
Office: (662) 562-3303
Email: blentz@northwestms.edu
X (Twitter): @BrianJLentz
BRIAN OAKLEY
Assistant Director of Sports Information Office: (662) 562-3269
Email: boakley@northwestms.edu
X (Twitter): @briansoakley
Northwest Mississippi Community College maintains a comprehensive official athletic department website. Up-to-date information, including schedules, statistics, rosters, player signings and news releases for all nine sports are provided on the award-winning nwccrangers.com. In-game live stats, live video and live audio is available for each Ranger football contest. Fans can also follow the team on numerous social media outlets, by searching the username @NWCC_Rangers. The Northwest sports information department, consisting of Brian Lentz and Brian Oakley, maintain the athletic website.
CREDENTIALS
Media or photo credentials are required for admittance to Northwest basketball games for working media. However, it is requested that media seeking to cover a game contact the sports information director prior to avoid additional problems. For further inquiries, contact Brian Lentz at (662) 562-3303 or at blentz@northwestms.edu.
PRESS SERVICES
Media guides, game notes, rosters, results and statistics are updated daily on the college’s athletic website, nwccrangers.com. Stat files and other game materials can be printed for media upon request. An official NJCAA box score and play-by-play information may be obtained from the sports information director approximately 15 minutes following the conclusion of the game.
INTERVIEWS
All player and coach interviews must be arranged through the sports information director. Coaches and athletes will be available following games after a brief 10-minute cooling off period. The best time to interview coaches is typically in the mornings, Monday through Wednesday. The best time to interview student-athletes is directly after weekday practices around 5:00 p.m.
GAME BROADCASTS
Broadcast media in attendance are requested to contact the sports information director at least one week prior to the game in question. For the third straight year, Northwest will continue its partnership with WMC-TV 5 in Memphis, as select men’s and women’s basketball contests are slated to air on Action News 5 Plus across north Mississippi, west Tennessee and eastern Arkansas. The channel can be accessed by downloading the Action News 5 app on your Roku, Amazon Fire Stick or Apple TV device, or on an over-the-air antenna through Channel 5.3 in the Mid-South region.
All Northwest games will also continue to air on Ranger TV, unless otherwise noted. Ranger TV is available worldwide by visiting nwccrangers.com/watch.
For the third straight season, broadcast duties will be split between Tyler Springs and Matt Infield. Springs holds an array of broadcast experience, working for such entities as WMC-TV 5, NewsTalk 98.9 FM WKIM, the UFL’s Memphis Showboats and the University of Memphis. Infield is a native New Yorker with roots on Long Island, and has worked as a sports anchor and reporter for WMC-TV 5 since June 2022. His other experience includes a four-year stint at WSAW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin prior to his arrival in Memphis.
DR. ANDREW DALE Associate Vice President for Community Relations
SARAH SMITH Communications Specialist
MATTHEW MIXSON Video Coordinator & Digital Media Specialist
JENNIFER CORBIN Graphic Designer
CARLY FOX Assistant Director of Marketing & Strategic Communications
KEVIN PITTS Graphic Designer & Communications Specialist
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
COACHES AND ROSTER
HEAD COACH LATARYL WILLIAMS
Former Northwest men’s basketball standout LaTaryl Williams enters his third season leading the Lady Rangers’ basketball program in 2024-25.
Williams, a native of Oxford, has over 15 years of coaching experience, including two previous stops in the MACCC.
Williams and the Lady Rangers made serious strides from two seasons ago, finishing 15-11 overall and earning a first-round appearance in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. Despite the early postseason exit, Northwest posted a 7-7 mark in the MACCC and finished well above a 7-16 overall record from Williams’ first season in 2022-23.
In his two seasons coaching Northwest, Williams has produced seven four-year signees, including five of those from last season’s squad. Zaria Glover was the lone NCAA Division I signee, joining Jackson State University, while the trio of Kae’la Mitchell, McKenzie Amos and Angela Middleton inked with NCAA Division II program Lane College. Other notable signees from Williams’ first two seasons include Marian Jenkins (Mississippi College), Claire Leak and Zoe Essary, both of MUW.
Off the court, Williams was a member of the 2023 induction class to the Northwest Sports Hall of Fame last fall.
Prior to Northwest, Williams served a four-season stint as the head women’s basketball coach at East Central Community College, a title he earned in 2018. Williams guided the Lady Warriors to 43 victories and an 18-6 overall mark in 2018-19, the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history.
Williams’ 2018-19 squad also cracked the NJCAA’s Top 25 national rankings and he led ECCC to three NJCAA Region 23 postseason appearances, including a run to the semifinals during the 2020-21 season. He also developed nine college signees, including three student-athletes that moved on to the Division I level.
Prior to his stint at East Central, Williams served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Holmes Community College from 2012-18. During his time in Goodman, he guided the Lady Bulldogs to four straight appearances in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament (2014-18). Williams took the 2015-16 Holmes squad to the Region 23 Semifinals, defeating the No. 1 tournament seed in the first round.
Williams also gained a wealth of coaching and playing experience overseas, serving a one-year stint as an assistant coach in the United Kingdom for the Leicester Riders and operated a Basketball Academy at Burleigh Community College in Loughborough for nearly four years.
For a decade, he also played professionally in South America and in Europe before a careerending knee injury took him off the court.
After his varsity career concluded at Oxford High School in 1996, Williams came to Northwest to play for future Hall of Fame coach Marc Dukes. During his two seasons with the Rangers, Williams helped Northwest to a combined 57-11 overall record and an appearance in the 1998 NJCAA Final Four, while earning All-MACJC, All-Region 23 and All-NJCAA Tournament accolades.
Williams wrapped up his collegiate career at Ole Miss, helping the Rebels and head coach Rod Barnes to the 1999 NCAA Tournament and the 2000 National Invitational Tournament.
Williams holds three degrees, including an associate’s in general studies from Northwest (1998). He earned his bachelor of arts in Leisure and Sport Management from Ole Miss in 2001 and his master’s in Sports Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 2016.
Williams is married to the former Danetra Forrest, and the couple share two children.
A former standout basketball player at both Northwest and Ole Miss, COACH LATARYL WILLIAMS returned home to coach the Lady Rangers’ women’s basketball program ahead of the 2022-23 season.
ASSISTANT COACH VAQUELA PIMPTON
VAQUELA PIMPTON ASSISTANT COACH
A native of Webb and graduate of West Tallahatchie High School, Pimpton arrived at Northwest just months after the hire of Williams, and has been the Lady Rangers’ assistant coach ever since. In her previous two seasons, Pimpton has helped Northwest go from a 7-16 overall record to a 15-11 overall mark in the 2023-24 campaign, helping the Lady Rangers to the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament last season.
Seven players have gone on to sign with four-year programs over the past two seasons, including Zaria Glover to Jackson State University. Glover was one of four other members of the 2023-24 squad to move on to the next level, joining Marian Jenkins (Mississippi College) and the Lane College signee trio of Kae’la Mitchell, McKenzie Amos and Angela Middleton.
Additionally, Claire Leak and Zoe Essary signed with MUW following Pimpton’s first season on the Lady Rangers’ coaching staff.
Prior to Northwest, Pimpton had a one-season stint at M.S. Palmer High School, where she served as an inclusion teacher and assistant basketball coach. Under her guidance, the Lady Dragons advanced to the MHSAA Class 2A playoffs.
Pimpton had an accomplished college career, playing for Holmes Community College (2016-18) and the University of New Orleans (2018-20). During her senior season at UNO, she started 19 of the 28 games she played, averaging 4.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. She tied her career-high of 14 points against Houston Baptist and hit a pair of three-pointers in an upset victory at Ole Miss. That year, the Privateers finished with a 17-12 record and advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament, before the season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a junior, Pimpton saw action in 26 games as a junior, averaging 4.9 points per game, including a season-best 14 points against Nicholls State on March 2, 2019.
At Holmes, Pimpton played under Williams and former head coach Jamiliah JohnsAndrews. She was a part of a stretch that saw the Lady Bulldogs earn 28 victories, including an 18-9 record as a sophomore that saw Holmes earn the MACJC North Division title and advance to both the MACJC Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.
Pimpton holds an Associate of Arts in general studies from Holmes and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of New Orleans.
An integral part of LaTaryl Williams’ coaching staff, Vaquela Pimpton enters her third season at Northwest in 2024-25.
Prior to Northwest, VAQUELA PIMPTON had a solid college basketball playing career, first with Holmes and later with the University of New Orleans. She started 19 of her 28 games played at UNO as a senior.
2024-25 ROSTER
High School:
1
2024-25 ROSTER
LAYLA HAMPTON
Guard • 5-5 • Freshman
Memphis, Tenn. • Whitehaven HS
Played for head coach Lynn Smith at Whitehaven...helped the Lady Tigers to a 23-6 overall record, a 9-1 mark in Class 4A, District 16 and the MSCIAA Class 4A High School Championship during her senior season...averaged 11.3 points, 6.7 assists and 4.6 steals per game...scored in double figures for 19 games as a senior, including 20 points in an 82-33 victory against Memphis East on February 20, 2024...named All-Tournament MVP for Class 4A, District 16...chosen as team MVP for Whitehaven and MaxPreps Player of the Game for the Lady Tigers’ February 20 win against East...was part of a WHS squad that earned the 2023 Neosha Holiday Classic Championship and a runner-up finish in the 52nd Annual MLK Tournament...off the court, earned an exemplary diploma and industry certification...also garnered SCS Honors for graduating with a 3.0 GPA or higher...received interest from Webster University and Chattanooga State CC.
Personal:
Daughter of Rochanda and Joseph Hampton IV...has two brothers, Joseph (21) and Joshua (19)...studying physical therapy...nickname is “LaLa”...born August 5, 2006.
High School:
2
JHANIYA DAVIS
Guard • 5-9 • Freshman
Holly Springs, Miss. • Marshall Academy
Played for head coach Mike Clifton at Marshall Academy...guided the Lady Patriots to a 20-10 overall record as a senior...helped Marshall Academy to a runner-up finish in the MAIS Region 2-4A Tournament and a Final Four appearance in the MAIS Class 4A North Half State Tournament...was awarded numerous accolades throughout her prep career, including Best Offensive Player as a senior...two-time co-captain and team MVP selection during her junior and senior seasons...three-time MAIS North Class 4A All-Tournament Team selection and MAIS All-District selection during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons...also voted as team’s Best Defensive Player from her sophomore to senior seasons...also received MAIS Class 4A District Honorable Mention accolades as a freshman...off the court, a consistent selection to the Headmaster’s List from seventh to 12th grades...also a member of Beta Club, Student Council and Key Club...received recruiting interest from Lyon College.
Personal:
Daughter of Shannon Baird and Jon Davis...has two siblings, Jordyn Davis (14) and Lauryn Davis (11)...hobbies include being with friends, reading, making LEGO flowers and trying new foods...studying nursing...nickname is “Niya”...born August 30, 2006.
2023-24 [Freshman]:
3
ANARIA LEE
Guard • 5-3 • Sophomore
Southaven, Miss. • Southaven HS
Saw action in all 25 games as a reserve last season, helping Northwest to a 15-11 overall record and the first round of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament...averaged 3.3 points and 1.0 rebounds per game...scored a career-high nine points in two games against National Park College (Nov. 17) and Blue Mountain Christian University JV (Nov. 30)...was credited with a season-high four rebounds in the Lady Rangers’ regular-season finale at Mississippi Gulf Coast on March 4...also recorded 16 assists and 10 steals on the season...off the court, named to the Vice President’s List and the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for the Fall 2023 semester...wore #12 as a freshman.
High School:
Played for head coach Justin McMurphy at Southaven...helped the Lady Chargers to an appearance in the Class 6A Playoffs as a senior...earned the team’s Charger Award.
Personal:
Daughter of La’Keisha Harvey-Lee...has three siblings: Aleigha Harvey (25), Curt King (24) and Kianna King (21)...enjoys golfing in her spare time...studying physical therapy... nicknames include “Nari” and “Lil Bit”...born March 18, 2005.
2023-24 [Freshman; Independence CC]: Redshirted her freshman season at Independence.
High School:
Played for head coach Greg Williams at Trezevant...helped the Lady Bears to a 20-8 overall record and the District 14-2A title as a senior...led the team in scoring and rebounds... totaled 35 points in a 63-55 victory against Houston on December 27, 2022...finished her prep career with a slew of accolades, including team MVP, First Team All District 14-2A, All-Shelby Metro Team and Dragon Fire All-Tournament Team...also nominated as a McDonald’s All-American during her senior season.
Personal:
Daughter of Shontel Johnson...has eight siblings, ranging in age from ages 9-29...studying physical therapy...nickname is “Shun”...born September 7, 2003.
Started in 25 of 26 games last season, helping Northwest to a 15-11 overall record and the first round of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament...led the team in averaging 11.3 points per game and was fourth with 4.5 rebounds per game...reached double figures 13 times last season, including three games with 20 or more points...recorded a career-high 25 points against Coahoma on February 15, 2024...was credited with a season-best nine rebounds in two games against Freed-Hardeman JV (Nov. 3) and Meridian (March 9)... also finished the season second in steals (57) and third in total assists (32).
High School:
Played for head coach Shayne Linzy at Lafayette...as a senior, helped the Lady Commodores to a 23-7 overall record, the Region 2-5A championship and the semifinals of the MHSAA Class 5A Playoffs...led the team in points (15.1), assists (3.3), steals (2.8) and blocks (1.2) during her senior campaign, while shooting 40 percent from the floor.
Played for head coach Ame Walker at Caledonia...helped the Lady Cavaliers to a 15-10 overall record and the first round of the MHSAA Class 4A Playoffs as a senior...averaged 15 points, 7.6 rebounds, three steals and 1.5 assists during her senior campaign...earned all-region MVP honors...also chosen for team Leadership and Defense awards...off the court, a member of the school’s National Honor Society and graduated with a 3.5 GPA... received interest from Tougaloo College and several MACCC programs.
Personal:
Daughter of Jacquel and Alexander Brown...has two siblings, Johnathan (16) and Taliya Carter (14)...hobbies include painting and photography...studying pre-nursing... nicknames are “Libby”, “Lib” and “Yanna”...born December 30, 2005.
High School:
13
JAHZARIA ALLEN
Guard • 5-3 • Freshman
Ocean Springs, Miss. • St. Martin HS
Played for head coach Jason Kennedy at St. Martin...helped the Lady Yellow Jackets to a 26-8 overall record and the MHSAA Class 7A Semifinals as a senior...finished third on the team with an average of 7.2 points per game, while also averaging 2.5 steals per game... reached a season-best 18 points and five steals in a 51-17 win against McGill-Toolen on November 17, 2023...received recruiting interest from Snead State and a couple MACCC programs.
Personal:
Daughter of Cory Allen and Chantal Richardson...has three siblings: Nashayla Richardson (20), Cory Allen, Jr. (11) and Ahmad-Josiah Allen (3)...studying sports medicine... nickname is “Zee”...born August 21, 2005.
High School:
14
2024-25 ROSTER
JAMAIYA HASLEY
Forward • 6-0 • Freshman
Southaven, Miss. • DeSoto Central HS
Played for head coach Gwendolyn Johnson at DeSoto Central...helped the Lady Jaguars to the opening round of the MHSAA Class 7A Playoffs as a senior...averaged 13 points per game during her senior season.
Personal:
Daughter of Jeanette Ford...has four other siblings...enjoys drawing in her spare time... plans to study marine and aquatics engineering...nicknames are “Jamo”, “J” and “Maiya”... born July 6, 2006.
Played for head coach Shandra Willis at Westwood...helped the Lady Longhorns to an 18-5 overall record as a senior, a run that also included Memphis city and District 16-1A championships...as a junior, was part of a WHS team that finished 20-6 with a District 16-1A title...played in 18 games during her junior season, averaging 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game...had eight games with 20 or more points, including a career-high 32-point effort against Memphis School of Excellence-Winchester on January 28, 2022... reached a season-high seven rebounds in a whopping 74-7 victory against Hillcrest on January 5, 2022...had 10 blocks in a 72-20 win against Middle College on November 30, 2021 and 10 steals in a 73-11 blowout against City University of Liberal Arts on January 7, 2022...named team MVP...off the court, ranked No. 2 in her senior class.
Personal:
Daughter of Tameka Bland and Shate Wells...has four siblings: Tasia (24), Tamyra (21), Tayshun (18) and Tayvion (15)...enjoys cleaning in her spare time...area of study is undecided...nickname is “Shug”...born June 17, 2005.
21
TEREAH HAYSLETT
Guard • 5-5 • Sophomore
Southaven, Miss. • Coahoma CC
2023-24 [Freshman; Coahoma CC]:
Played for Coahoma Community College last season, helping the Lady Tigers to a 17-8 overall record and a 9-5 finish in conference play...saw action in 14 games, drawing one start...averaged 5.2 points per game and 0.9 rebounds off the bench...finished third on the team in assists (33)...also added nine steals.
High School:
Played for head coach Gwendolyn Johnson at DeSoto Central...was part of a Lady Jaguars’ team that finished 13-8 on the season and advanced to the second round of the MHSAA Class 6A Playoffs.
Personal:
Daughter of Teresa and Paul Hayslett...studying exercise science...nickname is “Lil Bit”... born May 2, 2005.
High School:
22
McKENZIE SANFORD
Forward • 5-11 • Freshman
Southaven, Miss. • Southaven HS
Played for head coach Justin McMurphy at Southaven.
Personal: No information available.
High School:
25
SHILOH HATCH
Forward • 5-11 • Freshman
Southaven, Miss. • Southaven HS
Played for head coach Justin McMurphy at Southaven...was named SHS Athlete of the Month for January 2024...off the court, graduated with a 3.6 GPA.
Personal: Daughter of Elizabeth and Leonard Hatch...born December 16, 2005.
2024-25 ROSTER
AALIYAH TAYLOR
Guard • 5-10 • Sophomore Marion, Ark. • Connors State College
2023-24 [Freshman; Connors State College]:
Spent her freshman season at Connors State College, playing for a Cowgirls’ team that finished 29-5 overall, winning NJCAA Region II and advancing to the first round of the NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament...played in all 31 games last season, averaging 4.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game...scored in double figures four times last season, including a career-high 21 points in a 100-63 victory against Western Oklahoma State College on January 8...also averaged 0.4 assists per game and finished with 12 steals and a block...off the court, an Honor Roll selection.
High School:
Played for head coach Shunda Johnson at Marion...was part of a Lady Patriots’ team that advanced to the semifinals of the AHSAA Class 5A Tournament her senior season...off the court, maintained a 3.8 GPA throughout high school and was a member of the National Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta...also received recruiting interest from Garden City Community College, Odessa College, John A. Logan College, Independence Community College and SAU Tech.
Personal:
Daughter of Christianna Shields and Eboney Taylor...has four siblings: Paris Taylor (24), Dallas Shields (16), Logan Taylor (11) and Dakota Shields (9)...enjoys shopping in her spare time...studying sports management...nickname is “Liyah”...born March 15, 2005.
Played for father and head coach Rahim Lockhart...helped the Lady Tigers to a 14-12 overall record as a senior...averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game during her senior campaign...three-time all-region selection...as a junior, was part of an MHS team that advanced to the quarterfinal round of the MHSAA Class 4A Playoffs...off the court, graduated with honors...received interest from several MACCC programs.
Personal:
Daughter of Tarrah and Rahim Lockhart...father, Rahim, played basketball for Ole Miss from 1997-2001...has three siblings: Amirah (24), Alonzo (23) and Ahmad (18)...hobbies include photography and graphic design...studying journalism...born December 6, 2005.
Played for head coach Katie Hobson at Ripley...played in all 27 of the Lady Tigers’ games last season, leading the team with 21.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game...scored 20-plus points in 15 games as a senior, including three 40-point performances...reached a career-high 44 points in a 76-67 loss to Kossuth on December 21, 2023...also scored 42 points in a previous win against Kossuth and 40 in a 59-56 victory against Shannon on January 27, 2024...had three games with 20 or more rebounds, including a season-best 21 rebounds in a 58-49 loss to Houston on February 12, 2024...also averaged team highs of 1.4 steals per game and 0.5 blocks per game during her senior campaign...ranked as the best offensive player in Ripley’s region over the past four seasons...also played volleyball and softball in previous years...off the court, a member of the school’s Beta Club and National Honor Society...received recruiting interest from a handful of MACCC programs.
Personal:
Daughter of Aceana Story-Ford and Wesley Ford...has four siblings: Aleigha Story, Antwain Zinn, Ava Ford and Averi Ford...relative, Michael Story, played football for Mississippi State from 2015-19...studying pre-law...nicknames include “Lori”, “Lo-Lo” and “Tootsie”... born March 6, 2006.
SEASON PREVIEW
SEASON OUTLOOK
Northwest made huge strides in head coach LaTaryl Williams’ second season in command.
After missing out on the postseason during the 2022-23 campaign, the Lady Rangers finished with a 15-11 overall record and a 7-7 mark in MACCC competition, earning a bid into the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.
Although the playoff stay was short-lived with a first round exit, last season provided another milestone in Williams’ program-building process for Northwest. The Lady Rangers picked up a handful of valuable conference victories, including one against a surging Northeast program, and four of the five leading scorers on last season’s squad signed to four-year level programs.
While the Lady Rangers will certainly missing the scoring efforts of guard Kae’la Mitchell (Lane College) and Zaria Glover (Jackson State), Williams does bring back leading scorer Mariah Reed-Jones. The Oxford native averaged 11.3 points per game, as well as 57 assists, which ranked second on the team.
Reed-Jones is one of only two returners on the Northwest roster, with Anaria Lee being the other. A native of Southaven, Lee did not make any starts last season, but did see action in 25 games off the bench, averaging 3.3 points and one rebound per game.
Despite the lack of returning sophomores, one would be hard-pressed to call the Lady Rangers’ roster “inexperienced”. Three JUCO transfers join the fold for Northwest, led by former Connors State College guard Aaliyah Taylor. Originally from nearby Marion, Ark., Taylor provided a spark off the bench for the Cowgirls last season, helping Connors State to an appearance in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.
Southaven native Tereah Hayslett and Memphis product Shunqeisha Bobo also join Williams’ Northwest roster this season, transferring from Coahoma and Independence (Kan.), respectively.
Other newcomers expected to make a substantial impact this season include guard Layla Hampton and forward Alorian Story. Hampton, a Whitehaven High School alumnus and Memphis native, is expected to help fill the void left behind by Mitchell. Story, a product of Ripley, is expected to provide a menacing presence in the paint as a primary scorer, rebounder and blocker.
As for the season schedule, Williams isn’t shying away from some new faces in the team’s non-conference slate. After opening the season in the Lady Bear Classic against Shorter College and host Baton Rouge, Northwest is slated to host Bishop State in the 2024-25 home opener, before traveling to nationally-ranked Three Rivers College. The Lady Rangers will also welcome Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA) in early December, marking the Lady Ridge Runners’ return to athletics for the first time since 1990.
Meanwhile, the MACCC schedule is expected to be a gauntlet once more. Northwest hosts Copiah-Lincoln to open conference play on January 13, later visiting East Mississippi on Jan. 16. Notable conference home contests include Holmes (Jan. 21), nationally-ranked Pearl River (February 3) and Mississippi Gulf Coast (Feb. 24). The Lady Rangers’ road MACCC slate includes trips to Northeast (Jan. 30), rival Coahoma (Feb. 6) and Southwest Mississippi (March 3).
MARIAH REED-JONES
ANARIA LEE
AALIYAH TAYLOR
Shorter College
November 1 • 3 P.M. • Baton Rouge, La. • Bonne Sante Wellness Center
QUICK FACTS:
Location: North Little Rock, Ark.
Founded: 1886
Enrollment: 223
President: Dr. Jeffery Norfleet
Athletic Director: Jenone Bell
Conference: NJCAA Region II
Nickname: Lady Bulldogs
Colors: Blue & Gold
Arena: Henry A. Belin Healthplex
Head Coach: Jenone Bell
2023-24 Record: 14-13
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: None (refer to AD)
Phone: (501) 374-6305
Email: info@shortercollege.edu
Web Address: shortercollege.edu
Series History: Northwest leads series 9-0
OPPONENT HISTORY
Baton Rouge
November 2 • 5 P.M. • Baton Rouge, La. • Bonne Sante Wellness Center
November 21 • 5:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Founded: 1995
Enrollment: 8,000
Chancellor: Dr. Willie E. Smith, Sr.
Athletic Director: Brock Kantrow
Conference: NJCAA Region XXIII
Nickname: Lady Bears
Colors: Red, Black & White
Arena: Bonne Sante Wellness Center
Head Coach: Paula Lee
2023-24 Record: 5-18
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: None (refer to AD)
Phone: (225) 216-8251
Email: kantrowb@mybrcc.edu
Web Address: brccathletics.com
First Meeting: January 20, 1996 in North Little Rock, Ark. (Northwest 96, Shorter College 52)
Last Meeting: November 10, 2008 in Senatobia, Miss. (Northwest, 93 Shorter College 42)
Holmes
November 7 • 5:30 P.M. • Goodman, Miss. • Frank Branch Coliseum
January 20 • 5:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Goodman, Miss.
Founded: 1925
Enrollment: 5,678
President: Dr. Jim Haffey
Athletic Director: Andy Wood Conference: MACCC
Nickname: Lady Bulldogs
Colors: Cardinal, Black & White
Arena: Frank Branch Coliseum
Head Coach: Bridget Goodnight
2023-24 Record: 15-12 (6-8 MACCC)
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 67-34
First Meeting: 1950 (no date recorded): Holmes 41, Northwest 17
Last Meeting: March 4, 2021 in Goodman: Holmes 69, Northwest 68
Series History: Northwest leads series 3-2
First Meeting: March 1, 2010 in Clinton, Miss. (Baton Rouge 73, Northwest 69) (*NJCAA
Region XXIII Tournament)
Last Meeting: November 26, 2019 in Moorhead, Miss. (Northwest 75, Baton Rouge 61)
Bishop State
November 11 • 5:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Mobile, Ala.
Founded: 1927
Enrollment: 4,000
President: Olivier Charles
Athletic Director: Trent Eager Conference: ACCC
Nickname: Lady Wildcats
Colors: Green & Yellow
Arena: Fredericka G. Evans Cultural Centre
Head Coach: Adria Harris 2023-24 Record: 19-11
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: None (refer to AD)
Phone: N/A
Email: teager@bishop.edu
Web Address: bishopstatewildcats.com
Series History: Bishop State leads series 2-0
First Meeting: November 12, 1993 in Mobile, Ala. (Northwest 87, Bishop State 57)
Last Meeting: November 4, 2008 in Summit, Miss. (Northwest 94, Bishop State 42)
Coahoma
November 14 • 5:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Clarksdale, Miss.
Founded: 1949
Enrollment: 1,860
President: Dr. Valmadge Towner
Athletic Director: Selina Reid Conference: MACCC
Nickname: Lady Tigers
Colors: Maroon & Silver
Arena: The Pinnacle
Head Coach: Shanae Govan-Williams
2023-24 Record: 17-8 (9-5 MACCC)
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: Jerone Coley
Phone: (662) 621-4157
Email: jcoley@coahomacc.edu
Web Address: coahomasports.com
Series History: Northwest leads series 73-28
OPPONENT HISTORY
Three Rivers
February 6 • 5:30 P.M. • Clarksdale, Miss. • The Pinnacle
First Meeting: 1976 (no date recorded) (Northwest 71, Coahoma 54)
Last Meeting: February 15, 2024 in Senatobia, Miss. (Coahoma 64, Northwest 61)
Mississippi Delta
December 2 • 5:30 P.M. • Moorhead, Miss. • J.T. Hall Coliseum
January 27 • 5:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Moorhead, Miss.
Founded: 1926
Enrollment: 3,609
President: Dr. Tyrone Jackson
Athletic Director: Jason Conner
Conference: MACCC
Nickname: Lady Trojans
Colors: Red & Black
Arena: J.T. Hall Coliseum
Head Coach: Tangela Banks
2023-24 Record: 16-11 (6-8 MACCC)
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 66-26
First Meeting: 1952 (no date recorded) (Mississippi Delta 38, Northwest 23)
Last Meeting: February 5, 2024 in Moorhead, Miss. (Northwest 57, Mississippi Delta 51)
November 18 • 5 P.M. • Poplar Bluff, Mo. • Libla Family Sports Complex
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Founded: 1966
Enrollment: 2,965
President: Dr. Wesley Payne
Athletic Director: Jeff Null Conference: MCCAC
Nickname: Lady Raiders
Colors: Black & Gold
Arena: Libla Family Sports Complex
Head Coach: Alex Wiggs
2023-24 Record: 29-5
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: None (refer to AD)
Phone: (573) 840-9611, ext. 3627
Email: jnull@trcc.edu
Web Address: raidersathletics.com
Series History: First meeting
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
December 5 • 5:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
QUICK FACTS:
Location: Helena-West Helena, Ark.
Founded: 1965
Enrollment: 2,350
President: Dr. Keith Pinchback
Athletic Director: Kevin Martin-Arnold
Conference: NJCAA Region II
Nickname: Lady Ridge Runners
Colors: Red & Blue
Arena: PCCUA Campus Gym
Head Coach: ***
2023-24 Record: None
(*program is returning from hiatus; previously existed from the 1960s-1990)
SPORTS INFORMATION FACTS:
Sports Information Director: None (refer to AD)
Phone: (870) 338-6474, ext. 1363
Email: karnold@pccua.edu
Web Address: pccua.edu/athletics
Series History: Northwest leads series 4-0
First Meeting: 1978-79 season (no date recorded) (Northwest 86, Phillips County 40)
Last Meeting: December 14, 1983 in Senatobia, Miss. (Northwest 85, Phillips County 78)
East Mississippi
January 9 • 5:30 P.M. • Senatobia, Miss. • Howard Coliseum
3/9 MERIDIAN + L, 55-58 Angela Middleton - 13 points Jacia Hayes - 11 rebounds
LEGEND
* denotes conference game
+ NJCAA Region 23 Tournament game
# Game played in West Memphis, Ark.
2023-24 IN REVIEW
Northwest TEAM GAME HIGHS
POINTS 101 BLUE MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN JV (11/30/23)
FIELD GOALS MADE 45 BLUE MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN JV (11/30/23)
FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS 97 BLUE MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN JV (11/30/23)
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE .523 (34-65) NATIONAL PARK COLLEGE (11/17/23)
3 PT FIELD GOALS MADE 12 NATIONAL PARK COLLEGE (11/17/23)
3 PT FG ATTEMPTS 25 COPIAH-LINCOLN (1/11/24)
3 PT FG PERCENTAGE .571 (12-21) NATIONAL PARK COLLEGE (11/17/23) FREE THROWS MADE 27 at Arkansas State Mid-South (11/11/23)
FREE THROW ATTEMPTS 36 at Arkansas State Mid-South (11/11/23)
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE .909 (10-11) at Arkansas State Mid-South (11/11/23)
REBOUNDS 67 BLUE MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN JV (11/30/23) ASSISTS 25 BLUE MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN JV (11/30/23) STEALS 18 ARKANSAS STATE MID-SOUTH (11/16/23) BLOCKS 10 HOLMES (11/13/23)
Northwest TEAM GAME LOWS POINTS 38 at Pearl River (2/12/24)
FIELD GOALS MADE 11 SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI (2/3/24)
FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS 37 at Mississippi Delta (2/5/24)
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE .200 (11-55) SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI (2/3/24)
3 PT FIELD GOALS MADE 1 SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI (2/3/24)
3 PT FG ATTEMPTS 8 at Holmes (1/29/24)
3 PT FG PERCENTAGE .063 (1-16) SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI (2/3/24) FREE THROWS MADE 4 vs. National Park College (11/11/23) 4 at Pearl River (2/12/24)
FREE THROW ATTEMPTS 7 at Pearl River (2/12/24) FREE THROW PERCENTAGE .333 (4-12) vs. National Park College (11/11/23) REBOUNDS 24 at Itawamba (2/26/24) ASSISTS 0 at Itawamba (2/26/24) STEALS 1 at Itawamba (2/26/24)
As a freshman,
as
BLOCKS 0 at Itawamba (2/26/24) OPPONENT TEAM GAME HIGHS
POINTS 91 at Pearl River (2/12/24)
FIELD GOALS MADE 36 at Pearl River (2/12/24)
FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS 86 at Pearl River (2/12/24)
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE .538 (28-52) at Holmes (1/29/24)
3 PT FIELD GOALS MADE 9 EAST MISSISSIPPI (1/25/24) 9 at Pearl River (2/12/24)
3 PT FG ATTEMPTS 31 at Dyersburg State (1/6/24)
3 PT FG PERCENTAGE .538 (7-13) at Holmes (1/29/24)
FREE THROWS MADE 25 COPIAH-LINCOLN (1/11/24)
FREE THROW ATTEMPTS 44 COPIAH-LINCOLN (1/11/24)
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE .857 (18-21) at East Mississippi (11/27/23)
REBOUNDS 57 at Pearl River (2/12/24)
ASSISTS 22 at Holmes (1/29/24) STEALS 18 at Pearl River (2/12/24) BLOCKS 7 at Itawamba (2/26/24)
OPPONENT TEAM GAME LOWS
POINTS 36 vs. National Park College (11/11/23)
ARKANSAS STATE MID-SOUTH (11/16/23)
FIELD GOALS MADE 10 vs. National Park College (11/11/23) FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS
at East Mississippi (11/27/23) 49 COPIAH-LINCOLN (1/11/24)
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE .192 (10-52) vs. National Park College (11/11/23)
3 PT FIELD GOALS MADE 0 ARKANSAS STATE MID-SOUTH (11/16/23)
(2/8/24)
(2/1/24)
(6-20) MERIDIAN (3/9/24)
(11/16/23)
JACIA HAYES
Lady Rangers’ leading rebounder,
rebounds per game.
MARIAH REED-JONES quickly began to emerge
one of the Lady Rangers’ driving forces last season, leading the team in scoring by the end of the year.
2023-24 IN REVIEW
NORTHWEST INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS
Points
27 Kae’la Mitchell at Mississippi Delta (2/5/24)
Field Goals Made 11 Mariah Reed-Jones vs. Coahoma (2/15/24)
Field Goal Attempted 21 Mariah Reed-Jones vs. Copiah-Lincoln (1/11/24)
Field Goal Percentage (minimum: five made shots)
Three-Pointers Made
.833 (5-6) Angela Middleton vs. Dyersburg State (11/6/23)
.833 (5-6) Mikayla Abram vs. Blue Mountain Christian University JV (11/30/23)
.833 (5-6) Mikayla Abram vs. Coahoma (2/15/24)
Zaria Glover vs. Arkansas State Mid-South (11/16/23)
Zaria Glover vs. National Park College (11/17/23)
Lily Whitley vs. National Park College (11/17/23)
Lily Whitley at Mississippi Delta (2/5/24)
Three-Pointers Attempted 7 Mariah Reed-Jones vs. Holmes (11/13/23) 7 Mariah Reed-Jones vs. Copiah-Lincoln (1/11/24)
Whitley vs. National Park College (11/17/23)
Kae’la Mitchell vs. East Mississippi (1/25/24)
Kae’la Mitchell at Mississippi Delta (2/5/24)
Glover at East Mississippi (11/27/23)
Glover vs. Meridian (3/9/24) Three-Point Shooting Percentage (minimum: two made shots).800 (4-5)
Glover vs. National Park College (11/17/23)
KAE’LA MITCHELL
ZARIA GLOVER
MIKAYLA ABRAM
FIRST TEAM
ALL-MACCC
2023-24 IN REVIEW
Taylor Johnson-Matthews G Pearl River
ALL-REGION 23
Taylor Johnson-Matthews G Pearl River
Simaru Fields G Mississippi Gulf Coast
Simaru Fields G Mississippi Gulf Coast
Tytiana Buckley G Mississippi Gulf Coast
Miriam Prince G East Central
Janiya Jones F Coahoma
Amari Davis F Meridian
Je’Mya Evans F Mississippi Gulf Coast
Ja’Sharreah Hunt G Mississippi Gulf Coast
SECOND TEAM
Kennedee Shelton G Southwest Mississippi
Hama’ya Fielder G Pearl River
Alexis Rowe F Northeast
Arianna Durrell G Itawamba
Avery Young G Pearl River
Kamil Washum G Coahoma
Kylah Bell G East Mississippi
A’Shante Fleming G Copiah-Lincoln
HONORABLE MENTION
Jacylin Houston G Mississippi Gulf Coast
Mariah Reed-Jones G Northwest
Bella Roberts G Holmes
Lamaria Jones F Hinds
Jamyia Bowen F Itawamba
Cayla Myers G Coahoma
Cha’Myrean Ellis F Mississippi Delta
Michaela Payton F Southwest Mississippi
Jasmine Malone G Northeast
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR
Hope Adams Mississippi Gulf Coast
Scotty Fletcher Pearl River
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Miriam Prince G East Central
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Taylor Johnson-Matthews G Pearl River
Tytiana Buckley G Mississippi Gulf Coast
Je’Mya Evans F Mississippi Gulf Coast
Ja’Sharreah Hunt G Mississippi Gulf Coast
Janiya Jones F Coahoma
Amari Davis F Meridian
Jamia Singleton G Delgado
Allison Owens F Southern University-Shreveport
NEXT LEVEL RANGERS
Alabama A&M University
Quantashaun Host, F (2000)
Alabama State University
Tamara Wadlington, G (2010)
Arkansas-Monticello, Univ. of
Kayla Bradley, G (2019)
Monique Biggins, F (2013)
Sharlene Murphy, G (2006)
Cassandra Henry, C (2003)
Arkansas State University
Sandricka Bowen, G (2011)
Auburn University
Sheila Liggins, G (1990)
Belhaven University
Kelsey Brown, G (2016)
Birmingham-Southern College
Halle Knowles, G (2014)
Blue Mountain Christian University
Lindsay Hall, G (2020)
Mallory Russell, F (2020)
Brandy Walls, G (2011)
Brittany Walls, G (2011)
Bridget Goodnight, G (1994)
Charleston, Univ. of
Janesha Johnson, G (2017)
Chattanooga, Univ. of Tennessee at
Sheila Bates, F (1996)
Christian Brothers University
Normanique Johnson, G (2009)
Alisa Zustra, C (1994)
Columbus State University
Angelica Graham, F (2003)
Concordia College (Ala.)
Carshava Sutton, F (2014)
Cumberlands, Univ. of the
Chatica Hathaway, C (1998)
Delta State University
Jacquelyn Brooks, F (2015)
Aspriona Gilbert, C (2015)
LaMaesha McAdory, F (2007)
DePaul University
Jackie Joiner, F (1985)
Florida Atlantic University
Crystal Boyland, F (2000)
Freed-Hardeman University
Averyale Joy, G (2017)
Georgia, Univ. of
Rhonda “K.K.” Mikes, G (1985)
Henderson State University
Candy Hall, G (2006)
Jackson State University
Zaria Glover, G (2024)
Tricia Howard, F (1990)
Lamar University
Brenda Hatchett, G (1989)
Lane College
McKenzie Amos, G (2024)
Angela Middleton, F (2024)
Kae’la Mitchell, G (2024)
Rhonda Pryor, F (1993)
RHONDA “K.K.” MIKES
BRIDGET GOODNIGHT
NEXT LEVEL RANGERS
LeMoyne-Owen College
Chrissah Shaw, G (2018)
Averyale Joy, G (2018)
Tracy Wallace, G (1995)
Shantell Atkins, G (1995)
Toni Williams, G (1990)
Camille Hudson, G (1988)
Stella Cannon, G (1987)
Rita Fondren, G (1986)
MUW
Claire Leak, G (2023)
Zoe Essary, G (2023)
Conley Langford, G (2022)
Little Rock, Univ. of Arkansas at
Evelyn Willingham, F (1986)
Louisiana State University
Deborah Benson, G (1982)
McNeese State University
Conswella Fowler, G (1995)
Leslie Ashworth, G (1991)
Tabetha Budwine, G (1990)
Memphis, Univ. of
Linda Graves, C (1990)
Debrah Crutcher, F (1985)
Mississippi, Univ. of
Sandra Newborn (1981)
Rochelle Thompson (1981)
Maxine Tucker (1983)
G.K. Tables, G (1997)
Kecia Howell, G (1997)
Chatica Hathaway, C (1997)
Mississippi College
Marian Jenkins, G/F (2024)
Tamarah Sykes, F (2020)
Kayla Freeman, G (2020)
Sabrina Townsend, G (2010)
Mississippi State University
Tamela Martin, G (1997)
Mississippi Valley State University
De’Kisha Fondon, G (2010)
North Alabama, Univ. of LaConger Cohran-Shelton, F (1983)
Paula Stewart, G (1984)
Sue Herrington, F (1984)
Linda Liggins, F (1985)
Destiny Gardner, C (2017)
Oklahoma State University
Lisa Campbell, G (1985)
Angela East, F (1985)
Philander Smith College
Ciara Pettis, G (2018)
Point University
Nikki McChristian, F (2013)
Rust College
Shermeka Lewis, F (2013)
Tiesha Tunstall, G (2013)
San Jose State University
Danada Smith, G (2000)
Southeast Missouri State University
Ciera Thomas, F (2009)
Southeastern Louisiana University
Crystal Turner, C (1987)
Felisa Pegues, F (1995)
Southern Arkansas University
Takela Gunn, F (2005)
Southern Polytechnic State University
Erica Turner, F (2012)
AVERYALE JOY
G.K. TABLES
NEXT LEVEL RANGERS
Tennessee at Martin, Univ. of Ida Graves, C (1987)
Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Univ. of
Tierra Trotter, G (2022)
Texas A&M University
Tina Jones, G (1999)
Rhonda Cooper, G (2001)
UL-Monroe
JaLea Renfro, G (1985)
Union University
Nikita Taylor, G (2005)
Hope Adams, G (2010)
Bethany Lytle, G (2015)
Sara Lytle, F (2016)
Virginia State University
Safiyah Farrakhan, F (1987)
Virginia Union University
Debrah Crutcher, F (1985)
Linda Graves, C (1990)
West Alabama, Univ. of
Sheba Jones, F (1997)
Tarshia Akins, F (1997)
Lanita Futrell, G (2011)
William Carey, Univ. of Kolten Blakeney, F (2022)
SHEBA JONES
TINA JONES
TIERRA TROTTER
BETHANY LYTLE
SCORING LEADERS
Scoring (Minimum Requirement: 75% of Games Played)
SHANTELL ATKINS
NIKITA TAYLOR
SHAQUILLA ISOM
SCORING LEADERS
Rhonda Cooper Itawamba Feb. 21, 2001 Senatobia
18, 1983 Senatobia
6, 2006
LaMaesha McAdory Itawamba Feb. 19, 2007 Senatobia
Ciera Thomas East Mississippi Jan. 29, 2009 Senatobia
Danada Smith Dyersburg State Nov. 16, 1998 Senatobia 35 Nikita Taylor Gulf Coast Feb. 24, 2004 Booneville
Finished season with 100 total assists ..........................
Finished season with 120 or more total assists
Finished season with 50 total steals
Mercades Ward - 112 assists (2017-18)
Averyale Joy - 148 assists (2016-17)
Mercades Ward - 64 steals (2017-18)
Finished season with 70 total steals
Nikki McChristian - 74 steals (2012-13)
Finished season with 100 or more total steals .......................
Finished season with 30 blocked shots
Finished season with 50 or more blocked shots
TEAM
Takela Gunn - 107 steals (2004-05)
Mikayla Abram - 60 blocks (2023-24)
Mikayla Abram - 60 blocks (2023-24)
Scored 100 points in a single game Nov. 30, 2023 vs. Blue Mountain Christian University JV (W, 101-49)
Scored 110 points or more in a single game Nov. 2, 2015 vs. Jones County in Booneville, Miss. (W, 118-112; OT)
Allowed 100 points in a single game Nov. 2, 2015 vs. Jones County in Booneville, Miss. (W, 118-112; OT)
Allowed 110 points or more in a single game Nov. 2, 2015 vs. Jones County in Booneville, Miss. (W, 118-112; OT)
Scored 50 points in a half Nov. 30, 2023 vs. Blue Mountain Christian JV (W, 101-49; 51 first half points)
Allowed 50 points in a half Feb. 12, 2024 @ Pearl River (L, 60-94; 59 first half points)
Earned 50 rebounds in a game Feb. 8, 2024 vs. Northeast (55 rebs.; W, 63-49)
Gave up 50 rebounds in a game Feb. 29, 2024 vs. Meridian (50 rebs.; W, 65-61)
Made 40 field goals in a game Nov. 30, 2023 vs. Blue Mountain Christian JV (45 field goals made; W, 101-49)
Made 20 or fewer field goals in a game March 3, 2024 @ Mississippi Gulf Coast (16 field goals made; L, 50-75)
Made 10 three-pointers in a game Nov. 17, 2023 vs. National Park College (12 made; W, 93-45)
Made 15 or more three-pointers in a game Jan. 8, 2019 vs. Blue Mountain JV (17 made; W, 103-37)
Made five or fewer three-pointers in a game March 9, 2024 vs. Meridian (four made; L, 55-58)
Made 20 free throws in a game Feb. 3, 2024 vs. Southwest Mississippi (21 made; L, 44-57)
Made 30 or more free throws in a game Nov. 16, 2015 vs. Arkansas Baptist (35 made; W, 103-82)
Made five or fewer free throws in a game Feb. 12, 2024 @ Pearl River (four made; L, 38-91)
Played in an overtime game Jan. 9, 2020 vs. Coahoma (W, 73-69)
Won 20 games in a season 1997-98 (23 wins; 23-10 overall record)
Won 25 games in a season .................................... 1995-96 (28 wins; 28-7 overall record)
Won 30 or more games in a season 1982-83 (33 wins; 33-2 overall record)
NIKKI MCCHRISTIAN
ABBREANNA MILLER
MERCADES WARD
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
HOWARD STUBBS
KENNETH “CAT” ROBBINS
*Results between 1952-1976 were not recorded or were lost. The history of the Northwest women’s basketball program includes the first two seasons, then resumes in 1976-77.
Dyersburg State W, 71-52 *** Coahoma* W, 71-54 *** Blue Mountain L, 64-74 *** Itawamba* W, 87-82 *** East Mississippi* L, 65-69
*** Holmes* W, 66-54
COACH HARRISON
*** Meridian* L, 60-68
*** Northeast* W, 58-55
*** Coahoma* L, 50-64
*** Mississippi Community W, 56-35
*** Itawamba* W, 64-63
*** East Mississippi* L, 66-89
*** Holmes* W, 58-48
*denotes North Division contest
Although he was most well-known for his long-term success with the Northwest men’s basketball program (as shown here), Northwest Sports Hall of Fame inductee KENNETH “CAT” ROBBINS led the Lady Rangers to a winning record in his first and only season as head coach.
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
1977-78
12-8 / 7-5
SUE KELLY
One season | 1977-78 12-8 overall (7-5 MACJC)
*** Mississippi County W, 71-52
*** Hinds W, 73-65
*** Delta State JV L, 78-84
*** Meridian* W, 59-56
*** Northeast* W, 76-75
*** Coahoma* W, 54-49
*** Delta State JV W, 79-77
*** Shelby State W, 70-62
*** Shelby State L, 62-73
*** Itawamba* W, 73-68
*** Holmes* W, 68-65
*** Northeast* W, 75-54
*** Coahoma* W, 81-67
*** East Mississippi* L, 60-91
*** Itawamba* L, 60-64
*** East Mississippi* L, 69-86
*** Holmes* L, 53-68
*** Northeast ^ L, 69-72
*denotes North Division contest
^ MACJC North Half Tournament (at Holmes CC)
Coach HARRY ADAIR’s legacy began by guiding the 1978-79 Lady Rangers to the Region VII Tournament and the program’s first 20-win season. Adair would go on to win 231 games during his nine-year tenure, including a remarkable 100-10 division record.
1978-79
20-6 / 10-2
HARRY ADAIR
Nine seasons | 1978-87 231-29 overall (100-10 MACJC)
*** Delta State W, 106-71
*** Shelby State L, 57-75
*** Hinds W, 81-66
*** Meridian* W, 83-50
Northeast* W, 87-60
Coahoma* L, 77-81
Arkansas State W, 81-70
Southern Baptist W, 93-66 *** Shelby State L, 61-70
Itawamba* W, 74-67 *** East Mississippi* W, 87-84 *** Phillips County W, 86-40
*** Holmes* W, 57-49 *** Meridian* W, 79-57
*** Northeast* W, 64-49
*** Coahoma* L, 78-83
*** Arkansas State W, 82-46
*** Itawamba* W, 89-61
*** East Mississippi* W, 69-68
*** Holmes* W, 73-58
*** Meridian ^ W, 74-63
*** East Mississippi ^ W, 78-63
*** Coahoma ^ W, 80-71
*** East Central # L, 71-79
*** Volunteer State + W, 84-49
*** Roane State + L, 70-73
*denotes North Division contest
^ North Half Tournament
# MACJC Tournament
+ Region VII Tournament
1979-80
33-1 / 12-0
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
NJCAA Final Four/Region VII Champions MACJC Champions/North Division Champions
1981-82 27-2 / 11-1
MACJC Champions/North Division Champions N9
*Game-by-game results from the 1979-80 season were not recorded or kept on file.
1980-81
26-1 / 14-0
MACJC Champions/North Division Champions
*** @ Southern Arkansas W, 118-54
*** @ Shelby State W, 78-74
*** @ Hinds W, 84-64
*** @ Hinds W, 66-56
***
***
***
90-54
F1
F8
F19
*** Meridian ^ W, 116-59
*** Holmes ^ W, 108-74
*** @ Coahoma ^ W, 99-84
*** Pearl River # W, 80-55
*** Coahoma # W, 97-55
*** Shelby State + L, 78-81 *denotes North Division contest ^ North Half Tournament # MACJC Tournament + Region VII Tournament
M4 Roane State & L, 47-53
*denotes North Division contest ^ Cumberland Classic (Cumberland, Tenn.)
# North Half Tournament % MACJC Tournament & Region VII Tournament
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
With a 75-69 victory against No. 2-ranked Cumberland on March 19, 1983, Northwest Sports Hall of Famer HARRY ADAIR (back row, far left) delivered the first and only NJCAA national championship to the Northwest women’s basketball program. The team’s 33 victories still stand as the most in a single-season, tying a 33-1 record by the 1979-80 squad. 1982-83
33-2 / 11-1
NJCAA National Champions MACJC Champions/North Division Champions/NJCAA Region XXIII Champions
*denotes North Division match ^ MACJC Tournament # Region 23 Tournament + NJCAA Tournament
Although their quest for back-to-back NJCAA titles came up just short, the 1983-84 team finished as division, conference and Region XXIII champions, winning 25 games in the process.
1983-84
25-4 / 11-1
NJCAA National Runners-Up
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
1984-85 21-3 / 11-1
MACJC Champions/North Division Champions/NJCAA Region XXIII Champions
N11 @ Clarke College W, 107-83
N15 @ Southern Baptist W, 85-82
N17 Hinds W, 87-74
N21 Mississippi County W, 63-54
N29 Meridian W, 80-73
D1 @ Northeast* L, 78-84
D5 @ Coahoma*
D8 @ Mississippi Delta*
D14 Phillips County
J16 Itawamba*
J19 East Mississippi*
J23 Holmes*
100-67
76-65
85-78
93-65
97-79
77-75
J26 @ Meridian L, 97-101
J30 Northeast* W, 72-60
F2 Coahoma* W, 88-76
F6 Mississippi Delta* W, 76-58
F9 @ Itawamba* W, 87-84
F13 @ East Mississippi* W, 108-83
F16 @ Holmes*
77-69
NJCAA Elite Eight/Region XXIII Champions MACJC North Division Champions
N9 Clarke College W, 104-67
M22 McLennan + W, 63-59
M24 #2 Roane State + L, 53-69
*denotes North Division match ^ North Half Tournament
# Region 23 Tournament + NJCAA Tournament
Crowder (Mo.) # W, 86-71 *denotes North Division match ^ Region 23 Tournament # NJCAA Tournament
The 1984-85 season produced yet another deep NJCAA Tournament run for Adair’s Lady Rangers, which included future Northwest Sports Hall of Famer Rhonda “K.K.” Mikes (front row, #15).
1985-86
22-5 / 10-2
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
MACJC Runners-Up/North Division Champions
N14 Hinds W, 77-53
N19 Dyersburg State W, 112-70
N21 @ Shelby State W, 71-67
N25 Mississippi County W, 91-58
N26 @ Southern Baptist W, 90-71
D2 @ Coahoma* W, 78-70
D5 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 74-52
D9 @ #5 Northeast* L, 63-91
D12 Shelby State W, 90-70
J13 @ Itawamba* W, 82-66
J16 @ East Mississippi* W, 83-60
J20 @ Holmes* W, 61-40
J21 at Mississippi County W, 63-55
J27 #5 Northeast* L, 59-72
J30 Coahoma* W, 94-56
F3 Mississippi Delta* W, 107-52
F6 Itawamba* W, 73-63
F12 @ East Mississippi* W, 93-78
F13 Holmes* W, 79-54
F17 Coahoma ^ W, 93-64
F19 East Mississippi ^ W, 84-68
F20 #5 Northeast ^ L, 66-78
F24 Copiah-Lincoln # W, 89-76
F25 #5 Northeast # L, 62-88
*denotes North Division match ^ MACJC Tournament # Region 23 Tournament
1986-87
25-6 / 10-2
*Game-by-game results from the 1986-87 season were not recorded or kept on file.
*denotes North Division contest ^ North Half Tournament # MACJC Tournament Northwest Sports Hall of Famer DON EDWARDS took over the reins of the Northwest women’s basketball program in 1987, after serving as an assistant under Harry Adair. Edwards is the Lady Rangers’ all-time winningest coach with 468 career victories.
1988-89
10-8 / 5-7
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
1990-91 6-18 / 3-9
N10 Shelby State W, 96-62
N17 Southwest Mississippi W, 98-65
N21 Dyersburg State W, 75-69
N22 @ Shelby State W, 93-70
N28 @ Dyersburg State W, 75-69
N29 Mississippi Delta* W, 70-58
D1 @ Holmes* W, 80-65
D5 @ Itawamba* L, 68-75
D8 Northeast* L, 95-98
J10 @ East Mississippi* W, 75-64
J12 Coahoma* L, 73-81
J19 @ Mississippi Delta* L, 68-71
J23 Holmes* W, 82-78
J26 Itawamba* W, 79-77
J30 @ Northeast* L, 66-76
F2 East Mississippi* L, 65-67
F7 @ Coahoma* L, 67-72
F13 # East Mississippi L, 74-76 *denotes North Division match
1989-90 18-11
N6
D4
D7
J9
J11
J15
J18
J22
J25
J29
F1
F5
F12
N7 @ Kilgore College L, 72-101
N13 Mississippi County W, 75-69
N19 Southwest Mississippi L, 61-84
N20 Dyersburg State L, 78-79
N27 @ Mary Holmes L, 66-69
N29 @ Southwest
1991-92
2-16 / 1-11
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
*** @ Holmes* L, 57-67
*** Mississippi Delta* L, 60-66
N4 @ Muscle Shoals L, 74-77
N5 @ Mississippi Gulf Coast W, 70-68
N14 @ Mississippi County L, 56-73
N21 Copiah-Lincoln L, 67-77
D5 @ East Mississippi* L, 74-86
D9 Coahoma* W, 86-68
D12 Mississippi Delta* L, 60-74
J14 @ Holmes* L, 53-75
J16 Itawamba* L, 68-89
J20 @ Northeast * L, 57-84
J23 Mississippi County L, 56-70
J27 East Mississippi* L, 75-90
J30 @ Coahoma* L, 57-76
F4 @ Mississippi Delta* L, 73-80
F6 Holmes* L, 67-75
F10 @ Itawamba* L, 72-74
F13 Northeast* L, 74-77
F17 East Mississippi ^ L, 56-71
*denotes North Division match ^ MACJC Tournament
7-14 / 3-9
*** @ Muscle Shoals L, 83-92
*** @ Jackson State W, 63-56
*** @ Copiah-Lincoln L, 74-92
*** Southwest Mississippi W, 65-46
*** @ Dyersburg State W, 78-75
*** Copiah-Lincoln L, 76-92
*** @ Southwest Mississippi W, 67-65
*** @ Coahoma* L, 74-77*
*** Dyersburg State L, 82-83
*** Itawamba* L, 74-79 (OT)
*** @ East Mississippi* L, 63-91
*** Holmes* W, 78-50
*** @ Mississippi Delta* L, 60-67
*** Northeast* L, 63-85
*** Coahoma* W, 91-74
*** @ Itawamba* L, 67-86
*** East Mississippi* L, 82-84
*** @ Northeast* L, 72-73
*** Mississippi Delta ^ L, 53-79
* denotes North Division match ^ MACJC Tournament
***Coahoma forced to forfeit due to ineligible player
1993-94
23-5 / 10-2
N1 @ Jackson State W, 107-56
N2 @ Dyersburg State W, 85-66
N9 Dyersburg State W, 76-61
N11 @ Delgado W, 118-53
N12 @ Bishop State W, 87-57 N15
D2 @ Shelby State W, 83-80
D6 Itawamba* W, 94-88
D9 @ East Mississippi* W, 84-59
J11 @ Holmes* W, 88-74
J13 Mississippi Delta* W, 112-67
J18 @ Northeast* L, 71-74
J20 @ Coahoma* W, 86-70
J22 Copiah-Lincoln W, 69-64
J24
J27
J31
F3 Holmes* W, 77-65
F7 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 79-77
F14 Northeast* L,
1994-95
21-8 / 8-4
MACJC/North Division Champions
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
1995-96
28-7 / 11-1
NJCAA Elite Eight/Region XXIII Champions MACJC Champions/North Division Runners-Up
N3 @ Jackson State W, 79-72
N4 @ Volunteer State W, 88-74
N8 Shelby State W, 91-52
N10 Southwest Mississippi W, 98-60
N14 @ Shelby State W, 90-59
N18 @ Westark L, 97-120
N19 @ Connors State L, 68-73
N22 Jackson State W, 93-53
N29 Northeast * L, 83-92
D1 @ Coahoma* W, 87-76
D5 Holmes* W, 87-65
D8 @ Mississippi Delta * W, 91-52
J6 @ Copiah-Lincoln L, 59-68
J7 @ Southwest Mississippi W, 90-69
J10 @ Itawamba* W, 100-62
J17 East Mississippi* W, 77-55
J19 @ Northeast* L, 81-84
J23 Coahoma* L, 39-58
J26 @ Holmes* L, 81-82 (OT)
J30 Mississippi Delta* W, 95-61
F2 Itawamba* W, 80-58
F9 @ East Mississippi* W, 80-69 (OT)
F13 Mississippi Delta ^ W, 78-38
F15 Coahoma ^ W, 60-55
F16 Northeast ^ W, 90-82
F20 Pearl River # W, 75-65
F21 East Central # W, 69-66
F28 Holmes + W, 77-58
M1 Pearl River + L, 59-71
*denotes North Division match
^ North Division Tournament
# MACJC Tournament (Decatur) + Region XXIII Tournament
N2 @ Jackson State W, 89-61
N7 Shelby State W, 90-68
N9 @ Southwest Mississippi W, 95-66
N14 @ Shelby State W, 77-68
N17 Connors State ^ L, 73-88
N18 Westark ^ L, 65-87
N20 Copiah-Lincoln L, 74-79
N28 Northeast* L, 68-72
N30 @ Coahoma* W, 75-52
D4 @ Holmes* W, 95-89
D7 Mississippi Delta* W, 93-41
J12 at Southwest Mississippi W, 79-60
J13 at Copiah-Lincoln L, 57-58
J16 @ Itawamba* W, 83-65
J20 @ Shorter W, 96-52
J22 East Mississippi* W,
F26
1996-97
19-5 / 11-4
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
N1 Jackson State W, 62-49
N2 Dyersburg State W, 74-28
N11 @ Copiah-Lincoln L, 69-70
N14 @ Shelby State W, 71-68
N16 Shorter W, 112-63
N18 @ Hinds W, 86-64
N21 Copiah-Lincoln W, 75-61
D3 @ Holmes* W, 73-69
D5 Northeast* W, 64-60 (ot)
J7 Mississippi Delta* W, 81-49
J9 @ East Mississippi* W, 83-51
J13 Itawamba* W, 86-61
J16 Shelby State W, 74-44
J21 @ Coahoma* W, 100-74
J23 Holmes* W, 65-56
J27 @ Northeast* L, 93-96
J30 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 91-67
F3 East Mississippi* W, 97-53
F6 @ Itawamba* L, 67-81
F10 @ Shorter W, 86-57
F13 Coahoma* W, 69-67
F17 East Mississippi ^ W, 93-68
F19 Northeast ^ L, 82-84 (ot)
M4 Itawamba # L, 57-63
*denotes North Division match ^ North Division Tournament # Region XXIII Tournament
Despite losing six critical pieces of the 1996-97 team to the four-year level (including four to Ole Miss and Mississippi State), Edwards’ 1997-98 team bounced back in a big way, winning 23 games, a Region XXIII title and a trip to the Elite 8 of the NJCAA Tournament.
1997-98 23-10 / 11-4
NJCAA Elite Eight/Region XXIII Champions
N7 Jackson State W, 69-40
N8 Kilgore College L, 81-86
N10 @ Northwest Shoals W, 85-84 (ot)
N13 Shelby State W, 96-70
N15 @ Shorter W, 80-72
N17 Hinds W, 77-61
N19 @ Jackson State W, 73-70
D2 Holmes* W, 88-64
D4 @ Northeast* L, 67-84
D8 Copiah-Lincoln L, 72-80
J6 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 95-75
J10 East Mississippi* W, 76-63
J12 @ Itawamba* L, 64-72
J15 at Shelby State L, 82-83
J20 Coahoma* W, 73-57
J22 @ Holmes* W, 68-57
J26
J29
F2
F5 Itawamba* W, 89-80
F9 Shorter W, 88-66
F12 @ Coahoma* W, 98-58
F16 Mississippi Delta ^ W, 93-61
F18 Itawamba ^ W, 61-46
F19 Northeast ^ L, 66-72
F23 Copiah-Lincoln ^ L, 56-66
M2 Jones County # W, 72-62
M4 East Central # W, 80-70
M5 Copiah-Lincoln # W, 74-55
M18 Central Arizona + L, 57-90
M19 Iowa Western + W, 85-73
M20 Cincinnati State + W, 79-72
M21 Westark + L, 57-62
*denotes North Division match ^ MACJC Tournament # Region XXIII Tournament + NJCAA Tournament
1998-99
15-7 / 9-3
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
N3 Jackson State W, 76-73
N5 Central Baptist W, 98-64
N12 @ Hinds L, 69-70
N16 Dyersburg State W, 103-61
N18 Shelby State W, 95-89
D1 Coahoma* W, 100-74
D3 @ Itawamba* W, 79-75
D10 East Mississippi* W, 76-61
J5 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 101-63
J11 @ Northeast* L, 70-72
J14 Holmes* W, 76-74
J19 @ Shelby State L, 76-87
J21 @ Coahoma* W, 98-69
J25 Itawamba* L, 83-92
J28 Mississippi Delta* L, 86-89
F1 @ East Mississippi* W, 75-64
F2 @ Dyersburg State W, 89-70
F4 Northeast* W, 74-67
F8 @ Holmes* W, 67-60
F15 Coahoma ^ W, 79-76
F17 Itawamba ^ L, 63-67
M2 Copiah-Lincoln # L, 71-74 *denotes North Division match ^ North Division Tournament # Region XXIII Tournament
1999-2000
18-8 / 11-1
N1 Dyersburg State W, 98-63
N3 @ Jackson State L, 82-88
N9 Jackson State W, 60-56
N11 Hinds W, 84-54
N17 @ Shelby State W, 67-64
N19 Westark ^ L, 77-102
N20 Connors State ^ L, 61-85
N30 @ Coahoma* W, 101-61
D2 Itawamba* W, 71-65
D7 @ Northwest Shoals L, 77-78
D9 Mississippi Delta* W, 81-77
J4 @ Dyersburg State W, 74-68
J8 East Mississippi* W, 97-69
J10 Northeast* W, 92-70
J13 @ Holmes* W, 90-69
J18 Shelby State W, 93-71
J20 Coahoma* W, 100-48
J24 @ Itawamba* W, 86-70
J31 @ East Mississippi* W, 95-71
F3 @ Northeast* L, 78-105
F5 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 82-75
F7 Holmes* W, 72-64
F16 Holmes # W, 62-47
F17 Northeast # L, 71-91
F21 Mississippi Gulf Coast + L, 83-92
F28 Copiah-Lincoln $ L, 71-94
*denotes North Division match ^ games played in Fort Smith, Ark.
# North Division Tournament + MACJC Tournament
$ Region XXIII Tournament
2000-01 18-13 / 6-6
N6 @ Mississippi Gulf Coast L, 79-110
N9 Pearl River W, 86-80
N13 @ Copiah-Lincoln L, 77-90
N15 Northwest Shoals W, 103-84
N17 Hinds W, 68-85
N20 @ Southwest Mississippi L, 68-85
N28 East Central W, 71-70
N30 @ Coahoma* W, 87-58
D4 Holmes* L, 60-79
D7 @ Northwest Shoals L, 72-79
J4 @ Jones County L, 74-96
J8 Southwest Mississippi W, 88-70
J11 Mississippi Delta* L, 69-73
J16 @ Itawamba* L, 80-87
J18 Northeast* L, 84-88
J22 @ East Mississippi* W, 108-84
J25 Coahoma* W, 96-52
J29 @ Holmes* L, 81-86
F1 Mary Holmes W, 75-33
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
F5 @ Mississippi Delta* L, 80-81
F8 Itawamba* W, 74-67
F12 @ Northeast* W, 77-75
F15 East Mississippi* W, 97-71
F20 Mississippi Delta ^ W, 76-74 (OT)
F21 Itawamba ^ W, 75-68
F22 Northeast ^ W, 95-86 (OT)
F26 Pearl River # W, 73-63
F27 Jones County # L, 67-84
M6 Itawamba + W, 82-69
M7 Pearl River + W, 65-55
M8 East Central + L, 71-91
*denotes North Division match
^ North Division Tournament
# MACJC Tournament + Region XXIII Tournament
2001-02
13-8 / 8-4
N12 @ Hinds W, 95-59
N15 Southwest Mississippi L, 70-80
N19 Jackson State W, 85-59
N20 Copiah-Lincoln L, 71-72
N29 Coahoma* W, 77-37
D3 @ Holmes* L, 64-70
D6 @ East Central W, 87-77
J10 Jones County W, 88-56
J14 @ Southwest Mississippi W, 68-61
J17 @ Mississippi Delta* L, 68-77
J22 Itawamba* W, 72-63
J24 @ Northeast* L, 92-94 (OT)
J28 East Mississippi* W, 60-49
J31 @ Coahoma* W, 64-49
F4 Holmes* W, 80-50
F11 Mississippi Delta* W, 75-61
F14 @ Itawamba* L, 49-65
F18 Northeast* W, 81-76
F21 @ East Mississippi* W, 66-46
F26 Southwest Mississippi ^ L, 63-75
F4 Copiah-Lincoln # L, 68-73
*denotes North Division match
^ MACJC Tournament
# Region XXIII Tournament
2002-03 11-12 / 7-5
N5
N14
N19
N21
D3
D5 @ Itawamba* W, 54-49
J9 @ Southwest Mississippi L, 64-66
J10 @ Mississippi Gulf Coast L, 59-68
J13
J16
J21
J25
J27
J30
F3
F6
F13
F24 Copiah-Lincoln ^ L, 46-75
*denotes North Division match ^ MACJC Tournament
Although the 2003-04 season didn’t end with any championships, Edwards and the Lady Rangers still finished with a successful campaign, earning 18 wins and a 9-3 North Division record, before falling to Copiah-Lincoln in the Region XXIII Tournament.
2003-04
18-8 / 9-3
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
2004-05 18-13 / 8-4
NJCAA Sweet 16/Region XXIII Champions
N4 Jackson State W, 92-70
N10 @ Hinds W, 74-49
N13 @ Lawson State W, 84-70
N17 Copiah-Lincoln W, 60-53
N18 Mississippi Gulf Coast L, 65-78
N20 @ Southwest Mississippi W, 76-60
N24 @ Mississippi Gulf Coast L, 65-74
N25 Pearl River ^ L, 54-87
D1 @ East Mississippi* W, 77-65
D4 Itawamba* W, 76-74
D8 Lawson State W, 82-54
J8 Southwest Mississippi W, 66-60
J12 @ Northeast* L, 68-79
J15 Holmes* W, 83-68
J20 @ Mississippi Delta* L, 50-66
J26 Coahoma* W, 66-44
J29 @ Itawamba* W, 85-68
F2 East Mississippi* W, 75-57
F5 Northeast* L, 75-80
F9 @ Holmes* W, 76-59
F12 Mississippi Delta* W, 63-60
F17 @ Southwest Tennessee W, 69-61
F19 @ Coahoma W, 77-54
F24 Mississippi Gulf Coast # L, 89-98
M1 Jones County + W, 69-60
M3 Copiah-Lincoln + L, 53-69 *denotes North Division match ^ game played in Perkinston, Miss. # MACJC Tournament + Region XXIII Tournament
*denotes North Division match ^ game played in Wiggins, Miss. # MACJC Tournament + Region XXIII Tournament 2006-07 10-12 / 5-7
N1 Copiah-Lincoln ^ L, 68-69
N2 Southwest Mississippi ^ L, 64-68
N6 @ Shorter College W, 109-48
N9 Jones County L, 79-82
N13 Mississippi Gulf Coast W, 82-77
N14 Southwest Mississippi L, 55-67
N16 @ Hinds W, 76-60
N20 @ Mississippi Gulf Coast W, 108-82
N21 Pearl River ^ L, 50-60
J11 @ Mississippi Delta* L, 58-97
J16 @ Coahoma* L, 62-66
J18 Northeast* L, 60-70
J25 @ Itawamba* L, 60-70
J29 Holmes * W, 71-56
F1 @ East Mississippi* W, 56-42
F5 Mississippi Delta* L, 51-68
F8 Coahoma* W, 66-54
F12 @ Northeast* L, 80-82 (OT)
F19 Itawamba* W, 91-89 (OT)
F22 @ Holmes L, 72-79 *denotes North Division match ^ Southwest Coca-Cola Classic (Summit, Miss.) # game played in Perkinston, Miss.
2007-08 9-13 / 5-7
N5 Southwest Mississippi ^ L, 85-89 (OT)
N6 Pensacola State ^ L, 62-74
N12 Mississippi Gulf Coast W, 81-79
N13 Southwest Mississippi L, 67-73
N15 Hinds W, 89-68
N19 Mississippi Gulf Coast L, 65-76
N20 Pearl River ^ L, 55-60
N30 Arkansas Baptist W, 82-70
D1 Shorter College W, 96-65
D8 @ Arkansas Baptist L, 70-80
J7 @ East Mississippi* L, 57-59
J10 Mississippi Delta* W, 77-72
J14 Coahoma* W, 80-75
J17 @ Northeast* L, 66-75
J24 Itawamba* L, 59-65
J28 @ Holmes* L, 77-85
J31 East Mississippi* W, 73-61
F4 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 72-67
F7 @ Coahoma* L, 70-76 (OT)
F11 Northeast * W, 73-69 (OT)
F18 @ Itawamba* L, 68-97
F21 Holmes* L, 70-72
*denotes North Division match ^ Southwest Coca-Cola Classic (Summit, Miss.) # game played in Perkinston, Miss.
2008-09
16-8 / 8-4
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
J14 Mississippi Delta* W, 78-62
J18 @ Coahoma* W, 104-53
N3 Southwest Mississippi ^ L, 67-72
N4 Bishop State ^ W, 94-42
N10 Shorter College W 93-42
N11 Southwest Mississippi W, 77-65
N17 @ Hinds W, 82-64
N21 Mineral Area College # W, 78-71 (ot)
N22 Rend Lake College # L, 69-71
N24 Hinds W, 80-48
N25 Arkansas Baptist W, 64-56
D4 Mineral Area College W, 77-68
D8 @ East Mississippi* L, 65-84
J8 @ Itawamba* L, 79-82 (ot)
J12 Northeast* W, 86-78
J15 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 78-66
J20 Coahoma* W, 104-72
J26 @ Holmes* W, 102-64
J29 East Mississippi* L, 92-93 (ot)
F2 @ Itawamba* L, 77-91
F5 @ Northeast* W, 93-78
F9 Mississippi Delta* W, 74-50
F12 @ Coahoma* W, 75-61
F19 Holmes* W, 77-51
F23 Jones County + L, 76-99
M3 East Mississippi $ L, 44-47
*denotes North Division match
^ Southwest Coca-Cola Classic (Summit, Miss.) # games played in Park Hills, Mo. + MACJC Tournament
$ Region XXIII Tournament
2009-10 14-8 / 10-2
J23 @ Northwest Shoals L, 68-83
J25 Holmes* W, 87-62
J28 @ East Mississippi* W, 53-47
F1 Itawamba* W, 73-60
F4 Northeast* W, 77-49
F8 @ Mississippi Delta L, 85-86 (ot)
F11 Coahoma* W, 83-32
F18 @ Holmes* W, 85-66
F23 East Central ^ W, 80-74
F24 Jones County ^ L, 82-85
M1 Baton Rouge # L, 69-73
*denotes North Division match ^ MACJC Tournament
# Region XXIII Tournament MACJC North Division Champions
N3 @ Volunteer State W, 72-67
N9 Arkansas Baptist L, 61-78
N12 @ Hinds W, 86-76
N17 Volunteer State L, 65-69
N19 @ Copiah-Lincoln L, 68-78
N21 Northwest Shoals W, 84-81
D3 East Mississippi* W, 79-73
D7 @ Itawamba* L, 54-70
J11 @ Northeast* W, 73-56
Although the season came to an abrupt end with a close loss to Baton Rouge in the Region XXIII Tournament, the 2009-10 Northwest women’s basketball team earned another MACJC North Division title with a 10-2 finish.
2010-11
9-12 / 5-6
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
F2 @ Northeast* L, 59-67
F6 East Mississippi* W, 70-66
N1 @ Southwest Mississippi ^ L, 67-70
N2 #4 Copiah-Lincoln ^ L, 53-66
N11 Hinds L, 52-61
N13 @ Mid-South W, 85-58
N16 @ Arkansas Baptist L, 64-67
N18 #4 Copiah-Lincoln W, 68-66 (OT)
N22 Mid-South W, 94-67
N30 Arkansas Baptist L, 64-67
D2 @ Northeast * L, 70-80
D6 East Mississippi* W, 78-77
J13 Itawamba * L, 61-74
J17 @ Holmes* L, 62-71
J20 Coahoma* W, 93-72
J22 @ East Central L, 62-77
J24 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 84-79 (ot)
J27 Northeast* L, 77-83
J31 @ East Mississippi* L, 53-67
F3 East Central W, 63-59
F7 @ Itawamba* W, 79-71
F14 @ Coahoma* L, 72-81
F17 Mississippi Delta* W, 74-70 *denotes North Division match ^ Southwest Coca-Cola Classic (Summit, Miss.)
2011-12
8-14 / 2-10
N1 Southwest Mississippi W, 88-73
N8 Mid-South W, 85-58
N10 @ Hinds W, 82-57
N17 @ Copiah-Lincoln L, 58-72
N21 @ Southwest Mississippi ^ W, 65-57
N22 Copiah-Lincoln ^ W, 55-54
N29 @ Mid-South W, 80-52
D1 Northeast* L, 61-74
D5 @ East Mississippi* L, 56-71
J10 Columbia State L, 62-71
J12 Arkansas Baptist L, 58-59
J19 @ Itawamba* L, 58-70
J23 Holmes* L, 53-66
J26 @ Coahoma* W, 78-60
J30 Mississippi Delta* L, 61-69
F9 @ East Central L, 70-83
F13 Itawamba* L, 74-77
F16 @ Holmes* L, 73-77
F20 Coahoma* L, 78-80 (ot)
F23 @ Mississippi Delta* L, 63-65 *denotes North Division match ^ Southwest Coca-Cola Classic (Summit, Miss.)
2012-13
18-7 / 9-3
North Division Champions
N1 Southwest Mississippi W, 66-58
N6 Mid-South W, 98-61
N8 Hinds W, 75-47
N12 Copiah-Lincoln ^ W, 67-62
N13 @ Southwest Mississippi ^ W, 58-44
N15 Copiah-Lincoln L, 52-66
N19 Jackson State W, 66-41
N29 Coahoma* W, 91-66
D3 @ Northeast* L, 82-88 (ot)
D8 East Central W, 72-50
J4 @ Mid-South W, 90-76
J10 @ Arkansas Baptist L, 60-63 (ot)
J17 @ Jackson State W, 74-62
J19 @ Itawamba* W, 78-55
J22 Mississippi Delta* W, 78-57
J24 East Mississippi* W, 81-64
J28 @ Holmes* L, 64-71
J31 @ Coahoma* W, 70-64
F4 Northeast* L, 69-73
F7 Itawamba* W, 78-71
F14 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 66-60
F18 @ East Mississippi* W, 67-55
F21 Holmes* W, 76-60
F25 Jones County # L, 50-77
M7 Itawamba + L, 51-70
*denotes North Division match ^ Southwest Coca-Cola Classic (Summit, Miss.) # MACJC Tournament (Poplarville, Miss.) + Region XXIII Tournament (Clinton, Miss.)
*denotes North Division match ^ Northwest Tri-States Classic (Senatobia, Miss.)
# game played in Moorhead, Miss.
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
2019-20
12-8 / 7-5
TROY
HOWELL
Two seasons | 2019-present 22-21 overall (11-15 MACCC)
N5 Southwest Mississippi W, 61-57
N7 Pearl River W, 63-60
N11 @ Arkansas State Mid-South L, 61-67
N14 Mississippi Gulf Coast ^ L, 59-63
N15 Mineral Area College ^ W, 61-50
N21 Hinds # W, 60-55
N22 Snead State # W, 89-71
N25 Dyersburg State + W, 81-69
N26 Baton Rouge + W, 75-61
D2 @ Southwest Mississippi L, 65-73
D9 @ Itawamba* L, 64-66
J9 Coahoma* W, 73-69 (OT)
J14 @ Northeast* W, 60-52
J16 East Mississippi* L, 62-71
J21 Mississippi Delta* W, 69-50
J23 @ Holmes* L, 58-61
J27 Arkansas State Mid-South W, 79-62
J30 Itawamba* L, 59-61
F3 @ Coahoma* W, 64-54
F6 Northeast* W, 74-62
F10 @ East Mississippi* L, 54-61
F13 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 67-63
F17 Holmes* W, 85-79
F25 #7 Jones College $ L, 62-71
M4 East Mississippi % W, 56-53
M5 Mississippi Gulf Coast % W, 62-54
M6 #10 Jones College % L, 60-94
*denotes North Division contest
^ Lady Ranger Classic (Senatobia, Miss.)
# NWCC Tournament (Senatobia, Miss.)
+ Mississippi Delta Classic (Moorhead, Miss.)
$ MACJC Tournament (Scooba, Miss.)
% Region XXIII Tournament (Clinton, Miss.)
2020-21 5-11 / 4-10
J21 East Mississippi* L, 53-78
F4 Holmes* W, 72-64
F8 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 77-74
F22 Itawamba* L, 65-69
F25 @ Northeast* W, 75-58
F27 Northeast* W, 69-50
M1
M4
M8 Mississippi Delta
M11 @ Coahoma* L, 33-68
M13 @ Itawamba* L, 55-72
M18 @ Coahoma* L, 58-71
M22 Itawamba* L, 56-57
M24 @ East Mississippi* L, 39-81
M29 Northeast ^ W, 72-61
M31 @ Itawamba # L, 68-76
*denotes North Division contest
^ NJCAA Region XXIII Play-In (Senatobia, Miss.)
# NJCAA Region XXIII Tournament (Fulton, Miss.)
***Season was delayed to January 2021 due to COVID-19.
A new chapter began in August 2019 with the hiring of longtime Don Edwards assistant,
In his first season as head coach, Howell’s Lady Rangers finished as the Region XXIII runners-up, just one win shy of earning a spot in the NJCAA Tournament.
NJCAA Region XXIII Runners-Up
TROY HOWELL.
2021-22
15-11 / 8-6
N1 Northeast
N4 @ Holmes
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
W, 76-50
W, 86-79
N8 East Mississippi W, 65-56
N12 @ Arkansas State Mid-South ^ L, 65-77
N13 vs. National Park College ^ W, 70-65
N15 @ Itawamba L, 70-76
N18 @ Mississippi Delta
W, 92-85 (OT)
N20 Coahoma L, 70-72
N29 Arkansas State Mid-South W, 79-68
D2 @ East Mississippi*
D6 Holmes*
L, 71-83
W, 73-64
J6 @ #9 Jones College* L, 36-73
J10 Mississippi Delta* W, 77-63
J13 @ Northeast* W, 80-71
J18 Pearl River*
L, 64-70
J20 @ Coahoma* L, 44-66
J24 East Central*
J27 @ Hinds*
J31 Itawamba*
W, 83-69
W, 92-73
W, 70-61
F7 Mississippi Gulf Coast* W, 78-53
F12 @ Meridian* W, 66-62
F14 @ Southwest Mississippi* L, 58-69
F17 Copiah-Lincoln* L, 61-63
F21 @ #22 Pearl River # W, 70-68
F23 vs. Jones College # L, 49-77
F28 @ Itawamba $ L, 64-70
*denotes MACCC contest
^ ASU Mid-South Greyhound Classic (West Memphis, Ark.)
# MACCC Tournament (Poplarville, Miss.)
$ NJCAA Region 23 Playoffs
2022-23 7-16 / 2-12
LATARYL WILLIAMS
Two seasons • 2022-present 22-27 overall (9-19 MACCC)
N1 @ Freed-Hardeman JV W, 59-54
N3 Dyersburg State W,
J23
J26
J30 @
F6
F9
F13
F21
F23 @ Copiah-Lincoln* W, 87-79
*denotes MACCC contest
^ ASU Mid-South Greyhound Classic (West Memphis, Ark.)
# Northwest Classic (Senatobia, Miss.)
Former Northwest and Ole Miss men’s basketball standout LATARYL WILLIAMS returned to Senatobia as the head coach of the Lady Rangers’ program, starting with the 2022-23 season. Williams has since been enshrined into the Northwest Sports Hall of Fame.
2023-24
15-11 / 7-7
YEAR-BY-YEAR HISTORY
N3 Freed-Hardeman JV W, 74-52
N6 Dyersburg State W, 59-49
N10 @ Arkansas State Mid-South ^ W, 84-62
N11 vs. National Park College ^ W, 64-36
N13 Holmes W, 78-72
N16 Arkansas State Mid-South # W, 74-36
N17 National Park College # W, 93-45
N27 @ East Mississippi L, 49-54
N30 Blue Mountain Christian JV W, 101-49
J6 @ Dyersburg State L, 47-62
J11 Copiah-Lincoln L, 63-69
J22 @ Copiah-Lincoln* W,78-68
J25 East Mississippi* W, 67-53
J29 @ Holmes* L, 53-78
F1 Jones College* W, 63-48
F3 Southwest Mississippi* L, 44-57
F5 @ Mississippi Delta* W, 57-51
F8 Northeast* W, 63-49
F12 @ #7 Pearl River* L, 38-91
F15 Coahoma* L, 61-64
F20 @ East Central* W, 61-56
F22 Hinds* W, 56-54
F26 @ Itawamba* L, 45-57
F29 Meridian* L, 61-65
M4 @ Mississippi Gulf Coast* L, 50-75
M9 Meridian $ L, 55-58
*denotes MACCC contest
^ ASU Mid-South Greyhound Classic (West Memphis, Ark.)
# Northwest Classic (Senatobia, Miss.)
$ NJCAA Region 23 Tournament
ATHLETIC STAFF
BRIAN LENTZ
SUPPORT STAFF
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
Brian Lentz enters his 10th year at Northwest and the sixth as the sports information director, directly overseeing the publication efforts for all 14 sports.
A lifelong Tate County resident, Lentz was appointed to his current role in November 2018, following a stint as the assistant sports information director that began in July 2015. He has contributed to several college athletic publications since 2015, earning awards from CoSIDA and CPRAM organizations.
Lentz joined Northwest in July 2015 after spending two and a half years as an undergraduate student assistant at Mississippi State University. He served as the women’s tennis contact for two seasons and also assisted at home football and baseball games in various roles.
Prior to MSU, Lentz spent two and a half years in the sports information department at Northwest as a student worker, assisting in various gameday roles. In addition to his work at NWCC, Lentz was the sports editor for The Ranger Rocket student newspaper for one year and a high school sportswriter for the Tate Record.
In addition to his current duties at Northwest, Lentz has also resumed work as the prep sportswriter for the Tate Record, providing coverage of all five local high schools and academies located within Tate County. He also served as the vice president for the 2YSIDA organization (Two-Year Sports Information Directors of America) from 2020-24.
Outside of Northwest, Lentz has volunteered at numerous preseason and postseason Southeastern Conference (SEC) events and also covered high school sports for both the Starkville Daily News and The Commercial Dispatch while at MSU. Within the last four years, he has worked several NCAA events, including the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the South Regional (Sweet 16/Elite Eight) of the 2017 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament and official stats for select ESPN/ SEC Network broadcasts.
Lentz is a native of Arkabutla and holds an Associate of Arts from Northwest (2012) and a B.S. in education from Mississippi State (2015), with a focus on kinesiology and sports studies. He is married to the former Amanda Cooper of Grenada, and the couple share a daughter, Ella Frances (6).
BRIAN OAKLEY
ASSISTANT SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
Brian Oakley enters his sixth year in the Northwest Sports Information department and was elevated to the full-time role of assistant sports information director on July 1, 2022.
Oakley formally joined the Northwest staff as a part-time sports information specialist in August 2019, but has had a hand in various gameday duties well before then. Since 2015, Oakley has assisted in gameday production, primarily operating the videoboard at Bobby Franklin Field and handling public address announcing at Northwest men’s and women’s basketball games.
Oakley received his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in 1998, with focuses on political science and communication studies. While at Vanderbilt, he served as a cadet in the ROTC program and as a marketing and promotions intern in the Commodores’ athletic department, where he was responsible for gameday promotional operations, scheduling of student-athletes for campus tours, off-campus promotion of athletic contests, design of various promotional materials and retail sales of university-related apparel.
At Vanderbilt, Oakley was selected to revamp a struggling KidsZone program and helped increase kids club membership from 10-15 to over 250 per home football game.
Oakley is a native of Senatobia and is the older brother of Ranger assistant football coach Scott Oakley and head men’s basketball coach Shane Oakley.
ED CARROLL
SUPPORT STAFF
ATHLETIC GAME OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Ed Carroll enters his 18th year at Northwest, and second year as the Athletic Game Operations Coordinator and “Voice of the Rangers”. Carroll previously served Northwest as the Director of Residence Life & Housing, assistant director, assistant football coach and recruiting coordinator.
Carroll came to Northwest and back to coaching in August of 2007 as an assistant football coach and recruiting coordinator ,after spending seven years in public relations and marketing with the American Express Company. The Rangers earned a trip to the MACJC Playoffs that year, but fell to Mississippi Gulf Coast in the first round. After one year, and a head coaching change, Carroll moved into administration as the Assistant Director of Campus Life and Housing, responsible for the adjudication of student conduct on all campuses.
In 2020, Carroll added the role of director to his responsibilities and all daily operations of housing and residence life for ten residence halls and 1,237 resident students on the Senatobia campus. During his tenure, Northwest opened up a 10th residence hall in 2021, the ultramodern Calhoun Hall.
In his role as Athletic Game Operations Coordinator, Carroll is also the college’s official public address announcer for Northwest’s intercollegiate athletic programs, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, softball and volleyball. In addition, Carroll supports the athletic director and daily operations in all aspects of providing a positive atmosphere for student-athlete academic success and eligibility.
Carroll spent over a decade in the 80’s and 90’s coaching high school and college football including a stop at Murray State University from 1991-1993, as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for coach Mike Mahoney and the Racers.
Carroll is a graduate of Simpson College (Iowa Conference), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology. While at Simpson, he spent four years at cornerback as well as special teams for the Storm, becoming a starter his senior season.
Carroll is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and received his bachelor’s degree in biology at Simpson College in 1984. He received his bachelor’s in education from Northwestern State in 1996. Carroll also attended the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (Iowa) for medical studies from 1984 until 1986.
CHARLESY KENNEDY
ATHLETIC ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Charlesy Kennedy enters her second season as the athletic academic advisor for Northwest Mississippi Community College.
During the 2023-24 academic year, Kennedy helped Northwest produce 146 student-athletes to the President’s and Vice President’s list for the Fall 2023 semester and 117 to the respective lists for the Spring 2024 semester. Additionally, 175 student-athletes finished with 3.0 GPAs or better in Fall 2023, while 142 achieved the same milestone for the most recent spring semester.
A native of Calhoun City, Kennedy arrived to Northwest from the Water Valley School District, where she previously served as an eighth grade teacher and the school’s head softball coach since 2021. Prior to her stint in Water Valley, Kennedy taught at Calhoun City High School, her alma mater, from 2019-21 and served as an assistant softball coach for the Lady Wildcats.
Prior to Calhoun City, Kennedy was the assistant coach at Vardaman High School in Calhoun County from 2016-19. She also played one season of college softball at Holmes Community College in 2015.
Kennedy is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where she attained a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2018. She later earned her master’s of athletic leadership from Rider University in 2022.
JUSTIN WARE
SUPPORT STAFF
DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE
Justin Ware, LAT, ATC, is entering his third year as the Director of Sports Medicine for Northwest Mississippi Community College.
A native of Greenville, Ware is employed by Athletico Physical Therapy and previously served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Oxford High School and Ole Miss club sports for seven years. At Oxford, Ware provided sports medicine coverage for all athletics in grades 7-12, while handling Ole Miss club soccer, lacrosse, rugby, hockey and basketball.
Ware attended Mississippi Delta Community College and played baseball for the Trojans, before moving on to Delta State University. While at DSU, he served as a student athletic trainer for football, baseball, softball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and women’s soccer.
After leaving Delta State with a Bachelor of Science in athletic training in 2014, Ware formally joined the Athletico staff and began his aforementioned stint at Oxford High School.
In his spare time, Ware volunteers his time to provide coverage for the Mississippi Special Olympic games. He is a member of the Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and has held a CPR/AED certification since 2011.
Ware is married to the former Lindsey Dunn of Dyersburg, Tenn. and the couple welcomed their first child in December 2022.
TAYLOR YOUNG
ATHLETIC TRAINER
Taylor Young enters his third year as an athletic trainer for Athletico Physical Therapy and Northwest Mississippi Community College.
A native of Greenwood, Young arrived at Athletico and Northwest after spending seven years as an athletic trainer at Mississippi Delta Community College. After serving as an assistant trainer during his first two years in Moorhead, Young was promoted to the head athletic trainer role and remained in that role for five years, serving football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball and baseball.
Young graduated from Pillow Academy in 2009 and played baseball at MDCC, where he was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. He was also named Mr. MDCC in 2011.
After departing MDCC with his associate’s degree, Young moved on to Delta State, where he finished with his bachelor’s degree in athletic training in 2014 and later earned his master’s degree in Sport and Human Performance in 2016, with an emphasis in Sports Management.
While working on his undergrad, Young also interned with the University of Memphis, where he covered football and track and field. He is currently a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association.
