Fine Arts / Coach Scott Oakley
Northwest Mississippi Community College takes center stage on this episode of the Bank First Ranger Hour as host Gary Darby highlights a busy month of arts and athletics across the district. Gary spotlights the annual L’Etant Christmas Art Sale in the Fine Arts Gallery on the Senatobia campus, where student-created original works—from drawings and prints to pottery and sculpture—are available just in time for holiday gifting. He also previews upcoming fine arts events, encourages families interested in the arts to explore programs and pathways at northwestms.edu, and promotes the “Magic Moonlight and Mistletoe” tour stop featuring Postmodern Jukebox and rhythmic tap artist Demi Remick at the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, with giftable tickets and gift cards available at heindlcenter.org.
Wide receivers coach Scott Oakley joins the show to break down Northwest football’s latest championship run after a gritty 16–13 win over Mississippi Gulf Coast to claim another MACCC and NJCAA Region 23 title and lock in a top-four national ranking. Oakley praises the leadership of President Dr. Michael Heindl, head coach Benjy Parker, and the entire administration for building a true “team” culture on and off the field. He recaps the thrilling road win at Co-Lin sealed by Elliott Helps’ clutch interception, salutes kicker/punter Hayden Wolfe’s “ice water in his veins” performance with multiple long field goals and booming punts, and spotlights his receiver room—including Keon Hudgins, Michael Johnson, and Britton Traylor—who have stepped up as leaders and future Division I standouts. Oakley also looks ahead to potential NJCAA playoff matchups against powers like Hutchinson or Iowa Western and talks about keeping players focused, humble, and ready during the wait for the national selection show.
Gary closes the program with a full rundown of Ranger athletics, starting with James Beattie’s women’s soccer squad, now 19-1-1 and back in the NJCAA Division II national semifinals in Wichita, Kansas. He recaps Northwest’s pool-play wins over Southern Union and Iowa Lakes, previews a third meeting of the season with in-state rival Jones College, and notes the other semifinal between Holmes and Heartland—two teams Northwest has already faced this year. On the hardwood, Gary highlights women’s basketball (5–2) hosting a Holiday Classic against Trinity Valley and Kilgore, while the men’s team competes in the Coastal Alabama Classic before returning home in December. He also touches on Northwest Rodeo’s trip to Murray State and reminds listeners to visit nwccrangers.com for live stats, schedules, and updates on all Ranger teams.
Keywords: Northwest Mississippi Community College, Bank First Ranger Hour, Northwest Rangers football, MACCC champions, NJCAA Region 23 champions, NJCAA playoffs, Coach Scott Oakley, Coach Benjy Parker, Dr. Michael Heindl, Hayden Wolfe, Elliott Helps, Keon Hudgins, Michael Johnson, Britton Traylor, Northwest women’s soccer, NJCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship, James Beattie, Jones College, Holmes Community College, Heartland, Northwest basketball, Trinity Valley, Kilgore College, Coastal Alabama Classic, Northwest Rodeo, L’Etant Christmas Art Sale, Northwest Fine Arts, Heindl Center for the Performing Arts, Postmodern Jukebox, Demi Remick, Magic Moonlight and Mistletoe tour, northwestms.edu, nwccrangers.com, North Mississippi colleges and athletics.
