Raiders Brace for Top-Three Showdowns in Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic

GAME 8

#19 Northwest Florida State (5-2) vs. #3 Trinity Valley (5-0)

Nov. 26 | 5:00 PM CDT | Pensacola, FL

GAME 9

#19 Northwest Florida State (5-2) vs. #2 Panola (5-0)

Nov. 27 | 5:00 PM CDT | Pensacola, FL

STREAM LINK: https://piratenetwork.live/watch-live/

NICEVILLE, Fla. – Sometimes, the toughest paths lead to the most rewarding destinations—or so the saying goes. For the 2024-25 Raiders, that sentiment rings true as they've faced some of the NJCAA's strongest competition so far this season. Their challenging schedule continues into week four, with matchups against two top-three opponents: #3 Trinity Valley and #2 Panola, in the Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic.

The Raiders regained momentum last Thursday with a hard-fought 76-72 road victory over Bishop State in Mobile. Sophomore forward Josh Hayes led the charge, delivering 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting while adding nine rebounds, two steals, and a block. Freshman Bryalon Roman also impressed, contributing 18 points and three steals to secure the win.

This victory was much-needed after the Raiders' tough trip to New York, where they suffered back-to-back losses to #25 Harcum and #23 Monroe. Now, the Raiders turn their attention to two formidable opponents, including a familiar face in former Raider head coach Greg Heiar.

Matchup One: #3 Trinity Valley
Heiar, who guided the Raiders to a 31-5 record and the program's third National Championship in 2021-22, now leads Trinity Valley. In his first season as head coach, he's steered the Cardinals to a 5-0 start. The highly anticipated matchup between the Raiders and Cardinals is set for Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 5:00 p.m. at Hartsell Arena in Pensacola, Fla.

Matchup Two: #2 Panola
Panola has also started the season on fire with a 5-0 record, highlighted by wins over South Plains (ranked #1 at the time) and #10 Howard. The Raiders and Fillies will clash on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 5:00 p.m., wrapping up what promises to be an action-packed Thanksgiving Classic.

FAST BREAKS

• The Northwest Florida Raiders dropped one spot to #20 in the NJCAA week four rankings despite securing a win last week. Now, the team enters the most challenging stretch of their season, with back-to-back games against two top-three teams—#3 Trinity Valley and #2 Panola—boasting a combined record of 10-0.
• Known for their athleticism and offensive firepower, the Raiders average an impressive 82.0 points per game while shooting an efficient 48.8% from the field, a mark that ranks 39th nationally.
• The scoring load has been shared among four players averaging double figures: Dwayne Pierce (13.5 PPG), Josh Hayes (12.5 PPG), Curtis Williams (11.7 PPG), and Braylon Roman (11.4 PPG).

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION: TRINITY VALLEY AND PANOLA

The Raiders face two formidable opponents this week in #3 Trinity Valley and #2 Panola, both of which bring strong resumes into the Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic.

Trinity Valley Cardinals
The Cardinals shine on the defensive end, ranking second nationally in points allowed per game (51.2) and opponents' field goal percentage (33.0%). Their discipline extends to ball security, where they rank eighth in the nation with just 10.0 turnovers per game.

Panola Fillies
Panola is an all-around powerhouse, ranking in the top 50 across nearly every key statistical category. Offensively, they average an impressive 91.6 points per game, shooting 50.7% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. Defensively, the Fillies are equally strong, ranking in the top 10 nationally in points allowed, holding opponents to just 57.6 points per game.  

TEAM LEADERS