CLARKSDALE, Miss. — Following a 17-win campaign and a postseason victory in her inaugural season, Coahoma women's basketball head coach Deneshia Faulkner is preparing the Lady Tigers for the 2026-27 season with an emphasis on discipline, defensive intensity and building a championship-caliber program.
The Lady Tigers finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-9 overall record, including an 11-3 home record, and advanced to the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament. Entering her second season, Faulkner believes the foundation established during her first year has positioned the program for continued growth.
"Our first season was about establishing an identity, building a foundation, and creating a standard of competitiveness," Faulkner said. "Finishing 17-9 and advancing with a victory in the opening round of the Region 23 Tournament demonstrated the progress of our program, but we recognize that our ceiling is much higher."
Coahoma's success last season included a 50-49 victory against East Central Community College in the opening round of the Region 23 Tournament. The Lady Tigers also demonstrated a strong presence on the boards, averaging 45.3 rebounds and 9.0 steals per game while scoring 61.2 points per contest.
Faulkner said maintaining that physical style of play while improving execution will be central to the team's approach this season.
"Rebounding and defensive intensity will remain foundational to our identity," Faulkner said. "We want to be a team that dictates the physicality of the game, limits second-chance opportunities, and creates offense through defensive pressure."
The Lady Tigers enter the season with a 13-player roster featuring returning contributors, incoming freshmen and players with previous collegiate experience.
Among the returning players are Mi'Kenzi Christian, a guard from Tallahatchie County, Miss., and Mariah Fenner, a guard from Como, Miss. Both appeared in 25 games during the 2025-26 season. Christian averaged 3.7 points per appearance across her combined statistical entries, while Fenner averaged 3.4 points per game.
The roster also includes Raygan Faulkner, a guard from Meridian, Miss., who previously attended Jones College, and Antonesha Robertson, a guard from Louisville, Miss., who brings previous collegiate experience.
Additional roster members include Jakayla Grace, a point guard from Meridian, Miss.; Kirsten Johnson and Jeneva Gregory, guards from Little Rock, Ark.; McKayla Jones, a guard from Lafayette, La.; and Sha'Niyah Wells, a center from Forest, Miss.
The Lady Tigers have also added several players at the forward and center positions, including Zion Brown of Ruleville, Miss.; Hannah Lipsey of Ridgeland, Miss.; A'Jah Davis of Lexington, Miss.; and Kiarra Thompson, a 6-foot-5 center from Quitman, Miss.
Faulkner said the incoming players provide a combination of skills that will contribute to the team's overall development.
"Our newcomers bring a collective combination of versatility, athleticism, and competitiveness that strengthens our program," Faulkner said. "Rather than relying on individual contributions, we are focused on how this group complements one another, embraces its roles, and elevates our standard on both ends of the floor."
With several new faces joining the program, Faulkner has placed particular emphasis on decision-making, defensive communication and the ability to execute consistently against quality opponents.
She said the lessons learned from her first season have influenced how the team approaches preparation, with greater attention to physicality, accountability and maintaining consistency throughout a full game.
The Lady Tigers are scheduled to face Collin College on Friday, Oct. 30, followed by Grayson College on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Denison, Texas.
Coahoma will make its first scheduled home appearance Tuesday, Nov. 10, hosting LeMoyne-Owen College at 5:30 p.m. in The Pinnacle. Additional November home contests include Three Rivers College on Nov. 12, LeMoyne-Owen on Nov. 17 and Mineral Area College on Nov. 19.
Conference competition begins Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, when the Lady Tigers travel to Fulton, Miss., to face Itawamba Community College at 5:30 p.m. The conference home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19, against Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Faulkner said establishing an identity early in conference competition will require a sustained commitment to the fundamentals.
"Establishing momentum starts with discipline, defensive intensity, and execution from the opening possession," Faulkner said. "Conference play demands consistency, and we have to be prepared to dictate the physicality of the game, control the boards, and take care of the basketball."
The regular season concludes March 1, 2027, when Coahoma hosts Holmes Community College. The Region 23 Tournament is scheduled for March 5-12.
As the Lady Tigers prepare for another season, Faulkner hopes the team's commitment to growth will generate support throughout the college and surrounding communities.
"We want Coahoma students, alumni, and the Clarksdale community to know that Lady Tiger basketball is committed to representing this institution with pride, purpose, and excellence," Faulkner said. "We are building a program rooted in high standards, accountability, and a relentless commitment to growth."
For the latest schedules, results and information about Coahoma women's basketball, visit www.coahomasports.com.
About Coahoma Community College
Founded in 1949, Coahoma Community College is a public, comprehensive, historically Black community college serving the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Coahoma offers Associate of Arts degrees, Associate of Applied Science degrees, and specialized certificates across dozens of diverse academic and career pathways. Located on a 99-acre campus in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the College is celebrating 77 years of academic excellence. In addition to its affordable tuition and generous scholarship opportunities, Coahoma has earned widespread recognition in nursing and health sciences, career-technical education, and university transfer programs. Outside of the classroom, students are involved in competitive NJCAA athletics as well as a variety of organizations and clubs, including student government, the celebrated college choir, and the renowned Marching Maroon Typhoon.
