Northeast's freshman class has accounted for a majority of productivity this season. Calysia Phillips & Kenzie Sharp combine for nearly 20 points per game.
Posted: Mar 28, 2021
SENATOBIA, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College women's basketball team has its sight set squarely on a pair of rivals as postseason play gets underway.
The Lady Tigers travel to Northwest Mississippi Community College in the opening round of the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament on Monday, March 29. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. in Senatobia.
The winner advances to face fellow Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) North Division foe Itawamba Community College. That second round matchup is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31 in Fulton.
Only parents and family of Northeast athletes that are on a pass list will gain entry to Howard Coliseum. Social distancing measures will be enforced by Northwest and masks or other face coverings are required.
Those that cannot attend the contest can watch it live and in high definition on the Gold Channel of NEMCCTV. Tune in beginning at 5:50 p.m. for the pregame show by visiting www.nemcctv.com or the "Northeast Mississippi Community College" app on Amazon and Roku television devices.
The Northeast Broadcasting Network also includes radio affiliate WOWL Fun 91. An audio simulcast featuring Jody Presley and Carter Smith, the Voice of the Tigers, can be heard on frequencies 91.9 FM from Burnsville, 92.9 FM from Florence, Ala., and 102.3 FM from Killen, Ala.
The Lady Rangers took both meetings from Northeast during the regular season. The games were played over a span of three days from February 25-27 with Northwest winning by an average of 18 points.
However, the Lady Tigers have bolstered their depth since those contests with the recent returns of post players Karlie Rogers of Pine Grove High School and Faith Williamson from Kossuth High School.
"We've been a little shorthanded all season long," said Northeast head coach Brenda Mayes, "but with them coming back here at tournament time it gives our other players a little more rest time so they can be prepared to last a little longer."
Calysia Phillips and Dekenzie Sharp have proven to be reliable athletes with both playing all 40 minutes of regulation from time-to-time. The duo also pace the Lady Tigers with a combined 19.5 points per outing.
Phillips, who graduated from Coahoma County High School, tops Northeast (1-13) with an average of 10.4 points. She also guides the Lady Tigers in the categories of assists with 3.6 and steals at 2.2.
Tupelo's Sharp recorded a season-best 16 points during Northeast's double overtime loss to Holmes Community College. She had a great game against Mississippi Delta Community College as well with 15 points, five assists and five boards.
Sanaa Finley from Ingomar is shooting a team-best 41.9 percent from the floor overall while Cherica Cheairs of Ashland heads the Lady Tigers' efforts from beyond the arc with a 32.3 percent success rate.
Tierra Trotter and I'Yana Ragin average 13.7 and 11.5 points, respectively, to lead the Lady Rangers (4-10) offensively. Kolten Blakeney nearly posts a double-double for Northwest with 9.8 points and 9.3 rebounds.