An integral part of LaTaryl Williams’ coaching staff, Vaquela Pimpton enters her fourth season at Northwest in 2025-26.
A native of Webb and graduate of West Tallahatchie High School, Pimpton arrived at Northwest just months after the hire of Williams, and has been the Lady Rangers’ assistant coach ever since. In her previous three seasons, she has helped Northwest to back-to-back postseason appearances.
Nine players have gone on to sign with four-year programs over the past three seasons, including Mariah Reed-Jones to Jackson State University, Aaliyah Taylor to Mississippi Valley State and Zaria Glover (Jackson State/Alabama A&M). Other notable signees from Pimpton’s first three seasons include the Lane College trio of Kae’la Mitchell, McKenzie Amos and Angela Middleton, the duo of Claire Leak and Zoe Essary (MUW) and Marian Jenkins (Mississippi College).
Prior to Northwest, Pimpton had a one-season stint at M.S. Palmer High School, where she served as an inclusion teacher and assistant basketball coach. Under her guidance, the Lady Dragons advanced to the MHSAA Class 2A playoffs.
Pimpton had an accomplished college career, playing for Holmes Community College (2016-18) and the University of New Orleans (2018-20). During her senior season at UNO, she started 19 of the 28 games she played, averaging 4.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. She tied her career-high of 14 points against Houston Baptist and hit a pair of three-pointers in an upset victory at Ole Miss. That year, the Privateers finished with a 17-12 record and advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament, before the season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a junior, Pimpton saw action in 26 games as a junior, averaging 4.9 points per game, including a season-best 14 points against Nicholls State on March 2, 2019.
At Holmes, Pimpton played under Williams and former head coach Jamiliah Johns-Andrews. She was a part of a stretch that saw the Lady Bulldogs earn 28 victories, including an 18-9 record as a sophomore that saw Holmes earn the MACJC North Division title and advance to both the MACJC Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.
Pimpton holds an Associate of Arts in general studies from Holmes and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of New Orleans.
