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S. R. No. 101 *SS26/R1651* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
26/SS26/R1651
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Whaley, Blackwell, Boyd,
Gillespie Isom, Pope, McLendon, Jackson,
Suber
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 101
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST 1
MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ON WINNING 2
THE NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NJCAA) REGION 23 3
CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2025-2026 SEASON. 4
WHEREAS, the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers 5
Women's Basketball Team completed an outstanding 2025-2026 season 6
with an impressive 23-8 overall record and an 11-3 conference 7
record, demonstrating excellence, determination and teamwork 8
throughout the season; and 9
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Head Coach LaTaryl Williams, 10
the Rangers overcame adversity and showcased remarkable 11
resilience, culminating in a thrilling postseason run through the 12
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 13
Tournament; and 14
WHEREAS, the Rangers captured the NJCAA Region 23 Women's 15
Basketball Championship with a hard-fought 60-55 victory over the 16
Pearl River Community College Wildcats Women's Basketball Team, 17
demonstrating poise and determination in a championship 18
environment; and 19
S. R. No. 101 *SS26/R1651* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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WHEREAS, the Region 23 Tournament championship run included 20
victories over the Jones College Bobcats Women's Basketball Team 21
in the quarterfinal round and the Itawamba Community College 22
Indians Women's Basketball Team in the semifinal round, 23
highlighting the Rangers' balanced scoring, strong defense, and 24
unwavering commitment to teamwork; and 25
WHEREAS, throughout the season, the Rangers distinguished 26
themselves as one of the premier defensive teams in the region, 27
holding opponents to 45.2 points per game while averaging 43.4 28
rebounds per contest and finishing with a +17.5 scoring margin, 29
reflecting the discipline and effort instilled by their coaching 30
staff; and 31
WHEREAS, the team was led by standout performances from key 32
players, including: Dekyra Mitchell, who averaged 17.0 points per 33
game; Alorian Story, who averaged 16.3 points and 13.3 rebounds 34
per game; Takera Bland, who contributed significantly on both ends 35
of the court; and Layla Hampton, whose leadership at the point 36
guard position guided the Rangers' offense throughout the season; 37
and 38
WHEREAS, this championship marks a historic achievement for 39
Northwest Mississippi Community College, representing the 40
program's first appearance in the national tournament since 2005 41
and highlighting the continued excellence of community college 42
athletics in the State of Mississippi; and 43
S. R. No. 101 *SS26/R1651* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Commend Northwest Mississippi College
Women's Basketball Team on winning the NJCAA
Region 23 Championship.
WHEREAS, the student-athletes of the Northwest Mississippi 44
Community College Women's Basketball Team represent the very best 45
of Mississippi's community college system through their dedication 46
in the classroom, their sportsmanship on the court, and their 47
commitment to representing their college and communities with 48
pride; and 49
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the 50
achievements of the Rangers, whose championship win and successful 51
season reflect positively upon Northwest Mississippi Community 52
College, its faculty and administration, the Ranger community, and 53
the entire State of Mississippi: 54
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 55
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 56
Northwest Mississippi Community College Women's Basketball Team on 57
winning the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) 58
Region 23 Championship and for their outstanding 2025-2026 season 59
and extend best wishes to the team members and coaches for 60
continued success in all their future endeavors. 61
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 62
the Northwest Mississippi Community College Women's Basketball 63
Team, Head Coach LaTaryl Williams, the administration of Northwest 64
Mississippi Community College, forwarded to the Board of Trustees 65
of Northwest Mississippi Community College, and made available to 66
the Capitol Press Corps. 67