SENATOBIA - After a strong two-year stint at Northwest, sophomore forward Kolten Blakeney has officially chosen her next destination, signing with William Carey University on Monday afternoon.

Joined by her teammates and Lady Rangers' coaches Troy Howell and Carla Bartee, Blakeney became the first member of the Lady Rangers' 2021-22 squad to sign to the four-year level. 

"I am incredibly excited for this awesome opportunity that William Carey has provided me," Blakeney said. "I'm so grateful to Coach Howell and Coach Bartee for helping me over the past couple of seasons and as excited as I am, I will also miss Northwest and my teammates here."

Blakeney's Northwest career was one for books, as the Taylorsville native led the team in total rebounds in each of the last two years, collecting a career total of 343 rebounds. She also collected a team-high 18 blocks this season and finished with 18 as a freshman, the second-most on the team last season.

Blakeney's career averages of 8.4 rebounds per game rank eighth in program history and her average of 0.9 blocks are tied for 10th all-time.

Additionally, Blakeney was also a prolific inside scorer for Northwest, finishing third in scoring during her two seasons. She averaged 10.1 points per game last year and 10.8 this season, helping her finish as a two-time All-MACCC selection, joining teammate Tierra Trotter in being the first Lady Rangers to garner back-to-back all-conference selections since Nikita Taylor (2003-05).

However, possibly her greatest highlight in a Northwest uniform came on January 24, 2022 in a 83-69 Sophomore Night victory against East Central. In that contest, Blakeney not only collected a double-double, but totaled 25 points and 24 rebounds for the program's first 20-20 performance since Tamaria Thomas accomplished the same feat on November 13, 2017 against ASU Mid-South (21 points, 23 rebounds).

Blakeney's 24 rebounds that evening also tied the program's single-game record, joining only Chatica Hathaway atop the record books, who collected her 24 rebounds in a November 2, 1995 matchup against Jackson State (Tenn.).

"When Kolten came here, she was raw and worked at it to better herself over the past two years," Howell said. "Leading us in rebounds and double-doubles for two years is hard to do in our league. She will be missed dearly by us, but she will definitely help William Carey."

Blakeney will join a William Carey program that finished 13-11 last season and 8-8 within the NAIA's Southern States Athletic Conference.