NWF Women No. 1, Men No. 11 in Preseason NJCAA Poll

NJCAA Women's Poll | NJCAA Men's Poll

NICEVILLE, Fla. – The reigning national champion Northwest Florida State women's basketball team will enter the 2021-22 season as the top ranked team in the country, while the men's program was ranked No. 11, the NJCAA announced with its Preseason Poll on Monday.

Northwest Florida women's hoops finished the 2020-21 season with a 24-2 record and claimed the first national title in program history.

The Raiders return seven players from last season's championship squad – Noelani Cornfield, Shelbee Brown, Masengo Mutanda, Inès Piper, Last-Tear Poa, Nashani Gilbert, and Sabou Gueye.

Head coach Bart Walker enters his seventh season at the helm and has posted a 140-34 record in his time in Niceville.

The women's team opens the season on Nov. 5 in the Florida Juco Shootout hosted by St. Petersburg. The Raiders play their first home game on Nov. 12 against Meridian.

The men enter their first season under head coach Greg Heiar and were ranked No. 2 in the Preseason FCSAA Coaches' Poll released on Sunday.

The Raiders field a talent roster of mostly newcomers, including NJCAA Division II Player of the Year Deshawndre Washington, who transferred from South Suburban College during the offseason.

The men kick off the 2021-22 campaign in Raider Arena on Nov. 5 against Coastal Alabama – North.

If you or someone you know would like to receive Raider Club emails, visit NWFRaiders.com/list-signup.

For more information on Northwest Florida State Athletics, visit NWFRaiders.com or follow @NWFRaiders on Twitter.