Booneville, Miss. – Northeast Mississippi Community College's basketball programs hope to build on the momentum that they acquired before the holiday break during a pair of tuneup contests to begin the spring semester.
The Lady Tigers and Tigers take the hardwood for the first time following a 22-day layoff on Tuesday, January 6 by visiting Snead State (Ala.) Community College for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.
Both squads then return to legendary Bonner Arnold Coliseum on Thursday, January 8 to close their final full week of non-conference competition this season. The women welcome Jackson State (Tenn.) Community College to the City of Hospitality while the men host Fort Benning (Ga.) Military College.
The inaugural home doubleheader of the new year can be watched live on NEMCCTV, which is the new broadcast home of all nine Northeast intercollegiate athletic programs. Join Jeremy Kennedy, the Voice of the Tigers, and Bryan Fenley at 5:15 p.m. for the pregame show by visiting www.nemcctv.com.
Fans can also keep up during the matchups with live in-game updates on Twitter by searching and following @NEMCCTigers.
Cord Wright is eager to get his group into action after entering the lengthy hiatus with two consecutive wind, including a victory over 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament participant Columbia State (Tenn.) Community College.
"We are looking forward to getting back on the court," said Wright. "We've got two good opponents to get us ready for what we all know is a very tough conference slate. Our guys have been improving and we are excited about what's ahead."
Dimario Jackson guided Northeast to its marquee triumph against the Chargers by accounting for the go-ahead points on a jumper with only five seconds remaining. He also reached a milestone during that matchup by collecting his 500th career point as a Tiger.
The Brusly, La., native paces Northeast with 18.3 points while shooting 40.3 percent from the field and a stellar 87 percent at the charity stripe. He adds team-bests of 2.7 assists and 29.7 minutes per outing.
Freshman Raheem Sorrell found his groove at Columbia State. He notched the initial double-double of his collegiate career with 19 points and 13 rebounds during the Tigers' win over the Chargers, who are receiving votes in the latest NJCAA poll.
Sorrell is one of four threats in the post for Northeast. Al Azulphar, Dexter Stafford, Jack Nichols and Sorrell each averaging greater than four rebounds per game.
Snead State resumed its schedule last week and lost to Richard Bland (Va.) College and Wabash Valley (Ill.) College at the Comfort Suites New Year's Tip Off. Chad Watkins tops the Parsons (2-9) with 15.9 points while Tee Lomax grabs 6.6 boards.
Fort Benning (12-11) boasts a lanky lineup with five players that stand greater than 6-5. The Knights fell in their previous contest 74-69 to nationally ranked South Georgia State College.
The Lady Tigers are equally thrilled to pick up where they left off in December. Northeast won two of its final three matchups before the holiday interruption, including a crucial Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) tilt at Mississippi Delta Community College.
"We are excited about returning to action after the Christmas break," said Northeast head coach Brian Alexander. "These players are hungry for success."
Aushiana Ivy is the reigning NJCAA Player of the Week. She compiled a double-double with 28 points and 10.5 rebounds between victories versus Mississippi Delta and Snead State.
The Shannon native is the Lady Tigers' best scorer and rebounder with 15.8 points and 7.4 rebounds, respectively. Daisha Williams also records double-digits for Northeast at 13.3.
The Lady Tigers are one of the top 25 scoring teams in the country and average 80.2 points per contest. Northeast is sharp at the free throw line and is seventh nationwide with 19.7 makes and 30.7 attempts each game.
Snead State's (3-11) Jasmine Richardson continues to lead the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) with 18.1 points. Danielle Jordan follows her with 9.4 while Courtney Mckenzie tallies 8.5.
Andrea Moffitt directs an improved Jackson State (5-7) group with 15.2 points and 9.8 boards per outing. Cara Holt dishes out 3.1 assists as well for the Lady Generals.
Northeast swept Snead State in Booneville last month. It is the first meeting between the Tigers and Fort Benning while the Lady Tigers and Jackson State split their yearly series during the 2013-14 campaign.