SENATOBIA - Last year, they were part of a large, freshman-heavy Northwest squad consisting of just one sophomore. Now, this year's "Sophomore Six" have become the team leaders, as the Lady Rangers look to make it back to the postseason for the third year in a row.

The core group, consisting of leading rebounder Kolten Blakeney, top two scorers I'Yana Ragin and Tierra Trotter, key reserves Sha'Kirria Everett and Ashton Stanley, are expected to start in the Lady Rangers' season-opener against Northeast. Joining the aforementioned five is transfer Cayden Boyd, arriving to Northwest after a season at Virginia Wesleyan University.

Ragin and Trotter will certainly be relied upon to pick up where they left off, when the duo combined to lead Northwest in scoring last season. Hailing from Baldwyn, Ragin averaged 10.6 points per game and totaled eight games in double figures, including a season-high 20-point, 11-assist effort against Mississippi Delta.

Trotter, a native of Bryant, Ark., led the team with 14.5 points per game, 25 steals and 70 rebounds, good for third on the team in that category. Everett and Stanley also combined for valuable minutes off the bench last season, averaging between 10-18 minutes per game. 

As for Boyd, the Chesapeake, Va. native saw limited action in six games at Division III Virginia Wesleyan, averaging 3.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.

Joining the core group of sophomores are nine new faces, led by Wayne County High School standout forward Jamia Chambers and Tishomingo County guard Maura Nunley. Chambers, a native of Waynesboro, helped Wayne County to the third round of the Class 5A playoffs last season and earned all-state Honorable Mention recognition, while Nunley earned numerous preseason and postseason honors, highlighted by scoring 1,000 career points at TCHS.

Other notable freshmen include Walnut's Claire Leak, Hartfield Academy alumnus Cailey Walker, former New Site guard Hannah Campbell and guard McKinna Smith, who played for legendary Mississippi high school coach Jan Sojourner at Jackson Academy.

Northwest will open the season on Monday, November 1 against Northeast at Howard Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 P.M. with live broadcast coverage available on Ranger TV (nwccrangers.com/watch) and Facebook Live.