OXFORD – An itch to play basketball still had to be scratched for Oxford's Shelby McEwen.

A month after committing to high jump at Ole Miss, McEwen has decided that playing basketball for Northwest Mississippi Community College was his best option.

McEwen and NWCC coach Bubba Skelton have known each other for years and seriously discussing this option for months. That didn't stop even after Ole Miss entered the picture for track. After playing in an All-Star basketball game this past weekend at ICC, McEwen decided on one more year of basketball.

"I sat down with my parents and talked about it. I had a strong last semester coming up with all A's and B's and one C. I decided to get caught up with some of my classes and to start playing ball at Northwest for a year," said McEwen, who won the Class 5A state title in the high jump in May.

"I'm glad with my decision and basketball is always what I've loved to do since I was young. I kept working out in basketball and I'm actually still working out to high jump in the high school nationals. I'll be working out with both, but basketball, I love the environment with the fans and the student section and the coaches. They showed me a lot of love. And Coach (Drew) Tyler, he got me ready. I'm prepared to play and give it my all out there."

Tyler felt like it was a great summer signee for the Rangers and Skelton to get, mainly because McEwen fits the up-tempo style.

"I think Northwest Ranger basketball for Shelby McEwen will be a good fit. I think it's a win-win situation for the athlete and Northwest basketball," Tyler said. "Coach (Shane) Oakley and Coach Skelton have watched Shelby for years. And with their tempo, they get a lot of trips. Shelby will get more touches, and with the way that he plays, he's going to get some points. I think he's going to surprise people and I think he's going to get to that free throw line a lot because he's going to be stronger. It's college basketball and he's going to step up to the plate and play more aggressive, I think."

Being close to home, around a tight-knit family, is something Tyler felt was another reason for choosing NWCC.

"He has a lot of stability and great parents. He's always going to be anchored whether he was hundreds of miles away because he is anchored in his morals and values," Tyler said. "But I think it's another motivation for me having him fixtures around him."

The Rangers won their last three games in 2015 to finish 11-10. They averaged 82.8 points per game, and McEwen has a chance to play, or start, early, according to Skelton.

"He has always told me that this was up to me and that I would have a chance to get a starting spot. He liked my humbleness and that we can do big things with Northwest," McEwen said.