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Raider Basketball Gears Up for High-Stakes Showdowns Against Ranked Chipola Squads
Posted: Jan 24, 2025

Raider Basketball Gears Up for High-Stakes Showdowns Against Ranked Chipola Squads

 

WOMEN

#1 Northwest Florida State (18-0) at #6 Chipola College (20-0)

January 25, 2025 | 5:15 PM | Milton H. Johnson Center | Marianna, FL

MEN

#8 Northwest Florida State (15-4) at #17 Chipola College (16-4)

January 25, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Milton H. Johnson Center | Marianna, FL

 

Live Stream: https://tinyurl.com/2twjvzsb

 

NICEVILLE, Fla. – An unprecedented winter storm swept through the Panhandle this past week, but another storm is brewing as Northwest Florida State's men's and women's basketball teams hit the road for two highly anticipated games against ranked Chipola squads this Saturday in Marianna.

Both matchups promise to be thrilling showdowns. On the women's side, the Raiders, riding an 18-0 start, recently claimed the No. 1 spot in the NJCAA rankings. However, they face a formidable challenge in the 20-0 Chipola Indians, fresh off a dominant 27-point victory over then-No. 6 Gulf Coast. Now ranked sixth in the nation, the Indians are eager to make a statement by taking down the top-ranked Raiders.

For the men, the Raiders managed to hold onto their No. 8 ranking despite suffering their first conference loss of the season to Pensacola last weekend. The defeat marked their fourth loss of the season. Meanwhile, Chipola also fell to Pensacola two weeks ago but rebounded with a narrow three-point victory over Gulf Coast last week. The Raiders will aim to regain momentum by knocking off their conference rival, while the Indians look to build on their recent win as they gear up for the final stretch of the season.

The rivalry between these programs runs deep, steeped in a rich history of success. On the women's side, the two teams have captured four of the last five FCSAA State Championships, with the Raiders claiming three. Northwest Florida has also dominated recent matchups, winning eight of the last ten meetings, including two victories last season.

On the men's side, both programs have shared the spotlight in recent years. The two teams have combined to win 22 of the last 23 Panhandle Conference Championships, sharing the crown in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Together, they have claimed 18 FCSAA State Championships this century, including nine of the last ten titles. While each program has earned nine state titles during that span, the Raiders hold the edge on the national stage with three NJCAA Championships (1995, 2015, 2022), while the Indians are still chasing their first national title.

Despite the storied history and accomplishments, Saturday's games are all about the present. Both teams are laser-focused on outplaying their rival in what promises to be an intense and exciting night of basketball you won't want to miss.

FAST BREAKS (WOMEN)

  • Northwest Florida State women's basketball took the top spot in the latest NJCAA National poll this week after being stuck at No. 2 for the last eight polls.
  • The Raiders are led in scoring by the veteran trio of Mekhia Chase (12.8), Nevaeh Scott (11.8) and Deborah Davenport (9.9).
  • Scott has a knack for shooting the three ball, hitting on a 49% clip this season which ranks ninth in the nation.
  • Davenport has been a force on the glass and on defense, averaging 7.9 rebounds per game, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks.
  • The Raiders are a very well rounded and disciplined team. This squad ranks 8th in field goal percentage (47.0%), 25th in three-point percentage (33.1), 17th in assists (17.4), seventh in blocks (4.8), first in points per game allowed (43.2), and fourth in opponents field goal percentage (29.1).
  • The Raiders can match the program record for most consecutive wins to begin a season (19) with a win Saturday.
  • Bart Walker secured his 450th career win last weekend after defeating Pensacola State.

 

FAST BREAKS (MEN)

  • Northwest Florida remains ranked No. 8 in the latest NJCAA national poll, making them the second-highest-ranked team in Florida behind No. 4 Daytona, whom the Raiders defeated earlier this season.
  • The Raiders have been on a hot streak, winning 10 of their last 11 games since late November. Over this stretch, they've averaged 82.0 points per game while holding opponents to just 62.6 points.
  • Renowned for their athleticism and well-rounded play, the Raiders are posting 80.5 points per game, shooting an impressive 50.1% from the field (15th nationally) and 35.6% from beyond the arc (34th nationally).
  • Defensively, the team is holding opponents to just 65.8 points per game, ranking 35th nationally.
  • Scoring has been a balanced effort, with four players averaging double figures: Davion Hill (12.8 PPG), Dwayne Pierce (11.2 PPG), Josh Hayes (10.8 PPG), and Curtis Williams (10.0 PPG).