NWCC Women’s Basketball Earns Three All-MACCC Honors Ahead of National Tournament
SENATOBIA, Miss. — The Northwest Mississippi Community College women’s basketball team finished its season with a 23-8 record, winning six straight games to close the regular season and capturing the Region 23 Tournament Championship, according to team officials.
Three players received All-MACCC honors, including sophomores Alorian Story, Dekyra Mitchell, and Layla Hampton. Head Coach LaTaryl Williams praised their contributions, noting their importance both on and off the court. “They’re pretty good student athletes. They take care of their business in the classroom and do the same thing on the court,” Williams said.
Story and Mitchell were named to the First Team. Story finished second in Player of the Year voting to Itawamba Community College’s Tootie Lockett, receiving four first-place votes compared to Lockett’s five. The forward averaged a double-double with 16.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, ranking fourth nationally in rebounding. She totaled 24 double-doubles in 31 games, including a stretch of 13 consecutive double-doubles, and had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in two games.
Mitchell led the team with an average of 17.0 points per game, ranking among the top 50 scorers nationally. The guard attempted 254 three-pointers, making 79, and led the team in free throw percentage at 78.7%. She also contributed defensively with 75 steals, tied for the team lead.
Hampton, named an Honorable Mention, anchored the team as a reliable point guard. She led the team with 143 assists, averaging 4.6 per game, and also recorded 75 steals, tied for first. The sophomore averaged 5.3 rebounds per game and nearly posted a triple-double against Pearl River with 13 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. Hampton was also named to the Region 23 All-Tournament Team.
These players will play a significant role in the upcoming NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship. Northwest was seeded 23rd and will face 10th seed Dodge City on Wednesday, March 25, at 12:15 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Source: Original Article
