Booneville, Miss. – Northeast Mississippi Community College is resurrecting what has traditionally been one of the top tournaments in the entire country to begin the 2014-15 campaign.

The Lady Tigers and Tigers welcome three of the top programs from National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 to legendary Bonner Arnold Coliseum for the Northeast Tipoff Classic on Monday and Tuesday.

Four games will be played each afternoon beginning at 1 p.m. and concluding with an approximate 7:30 p.m. start for the nightcap. Those that cannot attend the event can watch all eight contests live on NEMCCTV with Jeremy Kennedy, the Voice of the Tigers, on the call for the final two tilts each evening.

Fans can also keep up during the matchups with live in-game updates on Twitter by searching and following @NEMCCTigers.

Both Northeast squads look to rely on sophomore leadership early this season and are excited to officially commence a new year on the court.

"We can't wait to play in front of the best fans in the country," said Lady Tigers head coach Brian Alexander. "These young ladies have worked extremely hard during the preseason and are ready to play someone beside themselves."

Aushiana Ivy, who was a 2014 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State selection, will lead Northeast's efforts for a second consecutive campaign. She nearly averaged a double-double with 13.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game as a freshman.

The Lady Tigers also hope that a number of newcomers make quick impacts, including Clarion-Ledger All-Metro selections Alivia Hughes and Harper Newell plus former University of West Florida signee Arianna Simms.

Northeast returns three key players on the men's side of the hardwood. Dimario Jackson guides that group after earning MACJC All-State honors one year ago with 15.2 points and 3.2 assists each outing.

Al Azulphar was one of the best defenders in the nation during his inaugural season in the City of Hospitality with an average of three blocks per contest, which was tied for eleventh among all NJCAA student-athletes and tops in the Magnolia State.

Cannon Edwards rounds out that trio of standouts with his sharp shooting abilities. He was third in the MACJC during the previous campaign with 49 made three-point attempts.

"We have practiced well and got better over the last few weeks," Tigers headman Cord Wright said. "We have two tough games to open up the season, but being at home should be a great way to get it underway."

Baton Rouge (La.) Community College is the lone out-of-state participant in the first Northeast Tipoff Classic since it was temporarily discontinued after the 2003 edition. The Bears do not feature a single player from their roster last season, but do have five men that stand taller than 6-foot-5.

The Lady Bears qualified for the 2014 NJCAA National Tournament by winning the Region 23 Tournament at Mississippi College's A.E. Wood Coliseum. Baton Rouge returns only three athletes from that team and is paced by Lanae Bickham's 6.8 points per game.

Southwest Mississippi Community College journeyed to Salina, Kan., for the NJCAA National Tournament on the women's circuit as well last year. Cortney Epting had 6.6 points and 3.7 rebounds each contest in the Lady Bears' run to the Bicentennial Center.

The Bears lost six straight matchups to close the 2013-14 season. Jaylen Moore dropped 15.7 points per outing as a freshman to head Southwest's endeavors.

Northwest Mississippi Community College rounds out the tournament field. Northeast's MACJC North Division rival will participate in the first two games each day.

Southwest swept the Lady Tigers and Tigers at the Coca-Cola Classic in Summit early last season in the last meeting between the two institutions. It is the inaugural matchup between Northeast and Baton Rouge in the sport of basketball.