POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The 2023-24 season one for the history books for the No. 19 Pearl River women's basketball team. The Wildcats won 27 games, were MACCC Co-Champions and earned an at-large bid to compete in the National Tournament for the first time since 2003.
One thing eluded the Wildcats, though — a Region 23 Championship.
"The one thing on our back that we're striving for is to win that Region Championship to guarantee us a chance to compete for a National Championship. We've been close, but we have to get that done," head coach Scotty Fletcher said. "If we focus on the process and take things one day at a time, then we will have a chance to have a great season."
Although all of Fletcher's teams have a defensive mindset, every team has different skill sets and abilities.
"We are a little more athletic and quicker than we were last year," Fletcher said. "We are capable of scoring in bunches and rebounding the ball well. We still need to clean up some of our rotations and coverages. Once we do that, they will be fun to watch on both ends of the floor. This team has a relentless work ethic and desire to get better."
The 2024-25 team is nearly completely new, as only two players from last season's roster return. With the roster turnover, the newcomers will have to quickly adjust to the Pearl River way of constantly raising the bar.
"This team is hungry, but they haven't done anything yet," Fletcher said. "They have to take it personally for the girls who wore the jersey before them. They have to take pride in that and try to keep elevating the program."
RETURNERS
There are only two returners on the Pearl River roster for the 2024-25 season, but they are two that are expected to make a huge impact in Roge'Ne' Hillard (Hazlehurst; Copiah Academy) and Mikayla Riley (Tupelo). Both players were set to be stars as freshmen, but injuries ended their seasons.
Hillard averaged 4.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, while Riley was averaging 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. Hillard currently holds over 30 Division I offers, and Riley is quickly picking up college interest.
"Roge'Ne' will be one of the best players in the league offensively and defensively," Fletcher said. "She's scoring the ball and rebounding well. She's got a lot of poise and understands the game.
"Mikayla is a basketball-savvy player. She will free up our wings, and they will free things up for her. The ball will go through her hands 90 percent of the time, and she will know what to do with it."
TRANSFERS
Pearl River hit the transfer portal hard when rounding out its roster, adding six transfers to the team.
Guard Jazmine Jackson (Jacksonville, Fla.; Andrew Jackson) transfers in from Alcorn State, where she redshirted last season. Before that, she featured at Charleston Southern. Jackson averaged five points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.3 minutes per game during the 2022-23 season for the Buccaneers.
"Jazmine is a well-rounded basketball player that can score," Fletcher said. "She's a competitor and one of our hardest workers."
Paris Gilmore (Youngstown, Ohio; Warrensville Heights) is another impact transfer, coming from Detroit Mercy. She was named to the Horizon League All-Freshmen team last season, averaging six points, 1.3 assists and one rebound.
"Paris is an electric guard. She's really fun to watch," Fletcher said. "She can score and has great ball-handling skills. She will get better as the year moves along."
Missouri State transfer Natasha Barnes (Chicago, Ill.; Kenwood Academy) will be another important addition to the Wildcats.
"She has a high basketball IQ and can play multiple positions," Fletcher said. "She stretches the defense."
Standing at 6-foot, Thailan Payne (Southaven; DeSoto Central) will be a post presence and transferred in from Arkansas-Monticello. She averaged 1.4 points and 1.6 rebounds last season.
"Thailan can really rebound," Fletcher said. "She gives us another big-time post-presence."
Pearl River went the JUCO route for its final two transfers, adding Mineral Area transfer Sydney Lewis (Upper Marlboro, Md.; McLean School) and McLennan transfer Peyton Hearvey (Tupelo). The 6-foot Lewis featured in 30 games last season, averaging 7.3 points and 9.1 rebounds at MAC. Hearvey played in 28 games last year and averaged 3.2 points and 2.4 rebounds for MCC.
"Sydney rebounds and shoots well," Fletcher said. "We love her work ethic. She has the most collegiate minutes of anyone on our roster, and it really shows. Peyton reminds me a lot of (former Wildcat) Keshunti Nichols. She has a high motor and attacks the glass. She can shoot the three, defend and gets fouled."
FRESHMEN
Five freshmen round out the Pearl River roster. Mattison Bell (Philadelphia; Choctaw Central) comes to PRCC as the reigning 4A Miss Basketball award winner after leading Choctaw Central to a 28-5 record and a State semifinal appearance.
"Mattison is tough to beat. She competes every single day and has the right mindset," Fletcher said. "She's a steady guard that can score it."
Sanyla Smith (Tupelo) will be another guard option for PRCC.
"Sanyla is a spark plug," Fletcher said. "She rebounds it, takes charges and guards the ball. Anytime she is on the floor, she is a difference maker."
Jae'la Smith (Vicksburg; Porter's Chapel) will see time at guard or forward for the Wildcats.
"Jae'la has really high upside," Fletcher said. "She scored a lot of points in high school. She gets to the rim and just attacks. She's only going to get better."
Kori Ware (Pontotoc) is another versatile option for PRCC, whether it is playing guard or forward.
"Kori is a slasher. She gets to the rim," Fletcher said. "She does a good job guarding and using her length to pressure on defense."
Laci Buchanan (Ridgeland) rounds out the freshman additions.
"Laci is a shoot and an incredible teammate," Fletcher said. "She is a valuable piece to the team and program. When you talk about someone caring and having pride, that's Laci. She's an incredible young lady."
GETTING STARTED
Pearl River opens the season Friday inside Marvin R. White Coliseum at 7:30 p.m against Enterprise State.
TICKETS
Basketball season tickets are available now for $86, granting access to all home regular-season games. Single-game tickets are $8 in advance and $10 on the day of the game. Tickets can be purchased at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets.
TUNE IN
All home Pearl River basketball games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.
Games will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320-AM and 106.9 FM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).