SENATOBIA - Last season was a historical one for the Northwest Lady Rangers.

With last year's 17-10 overall record, the Lady Rangers captured the most wins in a season since 2014-15 and advanced to the NJCAA Region 23 championship game for the first time since 2004-05. Additionally, head coach Troy Howell posted the winningest season by a first year head coach since Harry Adair's 20-6 record during the 1978-79 campaign.

"As last season went on, the girls got better each day," Howell said. "They bought in to what we were doing and by the end of the year, I think we were one of the best teams in the nation, in terms of producing all-around as a team. They executed well, paid attention to detail and that's what carried us deep into the postseason."

There's no doubt that Howell will have high expectations for his team again this season. In order to achieve those goals however, the Lady Rangers will have to do it with only one returning sophomore.

Morgan Hodum is the only returning player Northwest has from last season's squad and she will be called to fill the shoes of a stellar sophomore class that consisted of Mississippi College signees Tamarah Sykes and Kayla Freeman, as well as Blue Mountain duo Lindsey Hall and Mallory Russell.

Although Hodum only got one start last season, she was a key contributor off the bench and averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds a game, her highest coming in a 19-point performance against Snead State. Howell believes that the Kossuth native has what it takes to lead this year's club.

"She's a great player for these girls to start with," Howell said, on Hodum. "Not only is she great on the court, she's great off the court as well. They're already calling her "Momma" because she's the oldest one out there. The kind of person that she is combined with the experience that she already has makes her a great leader and almost like another coach for us."

Joining Hodum will be a cast of newcomers, highlighted by out-of-state players Tierra Trotter (Bryant, Ark.), Curenity Emerson (Ruston, La.) and Nylah Ballard (Adamsville, Ala.). More notable freshmen include Senatobia duo Nariah Alexander and Presley Kate Hansford, Ocean Springs guard Jadajah Reynolds, former South Jones guard Ebony Fulford, former Wayne Academy forward Ashton Stanley and Taylor native Samaria Jones.

Despite only having limited fall action and only days to prepare for the January 21 season-opener against East Mississippi, Howell has been impressed with his new faces, especially guards Trotter and I'Yana Ragin (Baldwyn).

"I'Yana knows how to win and she shoots the ball really well," Howell said. "She's impressed us with her speed, ball handling and shooting - all three aspects are better than where we thought she would be around this time. Tierra is one of the better point guards we have had since I've been here. Both her and I'Yana are generals out there on the floor and they both can command a game."

Howell has also seen great things out of his combo players, most notably guard/forward Sha'Kirria Everett (Waynesboro) and forward/center Kolten Blakeney. 

"She has a great feel for the basket," Howell said, on Blakeney. "Her mid-range game is a lot better than we thought and she's someone that will undoubtedly come in and work hard every day. Sha'Kirria is going be our stopper. If we need someone on the team to defend, she's going to step up. She's a good defender and can get after it."

As mentioned, the Lady Rangers have had little time to prepare for this season's slate. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only is the season starting two months later than usual, but the entire schedule is a division-only slate. Gone are the non-division tuneups, meaning Northwest will jump right into the games that count on January 21 against MACCC North Division nemesis East Mississippi.

"That's a team that won the division last season," Howell reflects, on EMCC. "We lost to them both times in the regular season and yet we were the ones that sent them home in the postseason, so I know they have had this one circled. Unlike years past, there won't be a lot of film to look at before these games, so we're going in blind. Itawamba had a good recruiting class, Coahoma has turned their program around, Holmes is consistent as always and I like what Mississippi Delta is doing. It will be a little rough for sure."

Although plenty of challenges lie ahead, Howell isn't looking for excuses this year. He has his eyes on the prize and something that the Lady Rangers haven't accomplished since the 2012-13 season.

"We want to win the North Division," Howell said. "It will be a challenge as always, but these girls are so eager to play. We won't shoot it as well from outside, but we're making up for our inexperience with speed and quickness. We just need to make sure that we're playing our best basketball at the end of the year, not the beginning."

All home games, including the Jan. 21 opener against East Mississippi, will be streamed on nwccrangers.com/watch. Live stats will also be provided for all home games at nwccrangers.com.

Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, some games may be postponed. Check nwccrangers.com or @NWCC_Rangers on Twitter for all schedule updates throughout the season.