Northwest returns nine second-year players, including seven sophomores and two redshirt freshmen, after finishing 10-15 last season.
Key returners include All-MACCC selection Alorian Story, leading blocker Takera Bland, and assists leader Layla Hampton.
The Rangers face a tough non-conference schedule, including four teams that qualified for the 2024 NJCAA national tournament.
SENATOBIA, Miss. – Experience is the key ingredient for the Northwest Mississippi Community College women’s basketball team, which returns nine second-year players as it looks to build on last season’s 10-15 record.
With seven sophomores and two redshirt freshmen back on the court, Head Coach LaTaryl Williams, now entering his fourth season, is excited about the team’s potential.
“I’m excited about the growth and maturity this team has displayed from last season to this season,” Williams said. “I feel we have the team to make a deep run into the playoff.”
The Rangers plan to use an up-tempo style, applying defensive pressure to create offensive opportunities.
“We want to apply pressure on our opponents to get them out of their comfort zone,” Williams said. “We are looking to generate turnovers that will lead to transition opportunities on the offensive end. When we are in the half-court setting, we are looking to attack inside-out.”
Northwest expects to be strong in the post, led by returning second team All-MACCC selection Alorian Story. Story led the team in scoring (14 points per game) and rebounding (9.8 rebounds per game) and was second in blocks with 23. She is joined by Takera Bland, who was third in scoring (9.4 points per game) and led the team with 39 blocks.
In the backcourt, Layla Hampton returns as the most experienced guard, having started 23 of 24 games last year. She led the Rangers with 108 assists and 51 steals while averaging 8.1 points per game.
Williams said the trio of Hampton, Bland, and Story will be crucial leaders.
“[Hampton] will bring her leadership and experience that we will need at the point guard position,” he said. “[Bland] will also bring some leadership and experience… along with her versatility… Story will also bring… her scoring and defense in the paint.”
The roster is further strengthened by transfer DeKyra Mitchell from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. An All-Conference performer, Mitchell averaged 13 points, three assists, and two steals per game for the Bulldogs last season.
The Rangers will need that experience to replace two major starters who signed with NCAA Division I programs: All-MACCC honorable mention Mariah Reed-Jones (Jackson State University) and Aaliyah Taylor (Mississippi Valley State University). The pair combined for 21.4 points and eight rebounds per game.
An early-season test awaits the Rangers with a schedule featuring four teams from last year’s NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship. Northwest will face Elite Eight finisher Three Rivers College (Mo.) on Nov. 10 and second-round qualifier Kilgore College (Texas) on Nov. 22. The schedule also includes 2024 national tournament qualifiers Trinity Valley Community College and Blinn College.
Key conference games at Howard Coliseum include matchups against Region 23 representative Itawamba Community College on Jan. 20 and reigning MACCC champion Pearl River Community College on Feb. 5.
The home season will close on Feb. 26 with sophomore night against East Central Community College. The Rangers will close out the regular season on the road against Mississippi Delta Community College on March 2.
Northwest Mississippi Community College women’s basketball team. (Credit: Broan Oakley, nwccrangers.com)
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
