Senior-laden Jags Hoops ready to get started

The Northridge Jaguars boys basketball team made school history by reaching the AHSAA Class 6A Elite 8. After coming in second place in Area 6 regular season play, the Jags won the area tournament. Northridge then made its way to the Elite 8, where they ran into area foe and the eventual Class 6A State Champion, Paul W. Bryant Stampede. For the upcoming season, head coach Barry Sanderson will have a deep, senior-laden roster to work with. This season’s team claims nine seniors on a 16 player roster.

After sharing time with a talented group of seniors last season, look for Garret Ingram, Andrew Matthews and Tavares Jones to expand their roles this season. Ingram, who is currently committed to Northeastern Junior College, had the fortune of playing behind Northridge’s All-Time Leading Scorer, Anderson Wilkin, last season and will see his role greatly increase. Matthews, a talented ball-handler, will take over duties at the point. Jones was limited in playing time last season, as a sophomore, but is one of the most improved players returning from last season. Senior Miller James, who is in the 6’5″-6’6″ range, has spent some time in the weight room and has had a productive summer and should see his role expand this season. Mize Parker, the leading scorer for the Jags JV last season, moves up to the varsity roster. Mayson Elam, a talented shooter, will return to the hardwood for his senior campaign, after some time away from the court.

Sanderson is adding some height to his roster with a couple of sophomores who are in the 6’4″ to 6’5″ range. John Marshall Crews and Ben Leitner will add some length to the Jags roster and should gain valuable experience on the court as the season progresses. The Jags will also be adding a new face this season, welcoming junior Elias Fleming from Chicago.

While the Jags seem to have some length and height on their side, they aren’t quite as bulky as past years, with the likes of John Walker, Ryan Halperin and Jack Sanderson. So, the Jags will be looking for some guys to step up and play on a more physical level, especially on the defensive side of the court. Putting the right combinations on the floor will also be a work in progress for Sanderson. With several expanding roles and new faces on the team, piecing together cohesive units will be a challenge to start the season.

Sanderson believes the success of 51 wins over the last two seasons has changed the mindset from “hoping to win” to expecting to win. That mindset can work wonders at this level, when you start believing that the work and effort is going to give you an edge. As always, winning the area and the area tournament, as securing a home regional adds to the potential for success.

“These guys, for the most part, have grown-up playing together. They play AAU and recreational ball together. So you know that they’re really close. They know each other inside and out. We’ve added a few pieces to that, so I just think there’s a togetherness there with this team,” said Sanderson.

“I can put five shooters on the floor and we can make shots, where in the past sometimes, we were better at defense than shooting the ball. So, we have guys that we can spread the court with and we can make a lot of threes if we’re on.”

Sanderson noted that “we’ve got a great home schedule. I want to create a great atmosphere in our gym here at Northridge, where it’s a fun place to play, where it’s a fun place for the (students) to go and cheer their classmates on. That’s what I want to create – a basketball environment that’s tough and people say that it’s a really tough place to play.”

Sanderson doesn’t shy away from high level competition for his teams. The Jags will take on one of the best teams in Mississippi, from Columbus, at home on Dec. 2 and will host Hale County on Dec. 5, who has an Oklahoma basketball signee.

The Jags will open the 2025-2026 season with a talented Homewood team at home on Monday (11/10/25) at The Ridge.