On the February 12, 2026 episode of The Bank First Ranger Hour, host Gary Darbyspotlights a packed day of Northwest Mississippi Community College athletics and campus energy—plus a fun listener giveaway for Archie Manning In Conversation at the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts (Live Radio Only). The show opens with updates on a big Thursday in Senatobia, including a marquee basketball matchup with Jones College, and a look ahead at what’s coming next for Northwest sports, from baseball and softball action to more campus events and the Northwest Soirée.
Northwest Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Redmond joins the show to break down the identity of his “Running Rangers”—a high-tempo, analytics-driven system that’s putting up eye-popping numbers. Coach Redmond shares how Northwest is averaging near 100 points per game, leading the conference in scoring and turnovers forced, and playing a style built on pace, pressure defense, and three-point volume. He explains how practice is structured around competition and “final five” situations, why effort and attitude are non-negotiables, and how the team’s “full hockey line change” substitution pattern keeps players fresh and relentless. The conversation sets the stage for a critical matchup with nationally ranked Jones, as the Rangers look to make a statement in conference play.
Northwest Men’s Basketball guard Zahir Gutierrez adds the player perspective—sharing his journey from Mexico to Olive Branch, Mississippi, his high school success (including a state title run and region honors), and how a change in plans ultimately led him to Northwest. Gutierrez talks about thriving in Coach Redmond’s up-tempo system, earning the “green light,” and adjusting to the intense pace and competitiveness of daily practices. He explains how the two-minute rotation system lets players go “all-out” in short bursts, how the team embraces fast breaks and transition threes, and why chemistry and trust are key when everyone is asked to play hard, shoot confidently, and crash the glass.
Larissa Gaines, a national champion member of the Northwest Dance Team, closes the guest lineup with a powerful look inside what it takes to win at the highest level. Gaines, originally from the Olive Branch/Lewisburg area, shares how a high school back injury and a Northwest dance clinic changed her path—and why she fell in love with the program under Head Coach Patrice Christian. She describes the culture that drives championships: trust, accountability, and the mindset that “you win your trophy in practice and pick it up at competition.” Gaines walks listeners through the emotions of nationals in Orlando, the intensity of competing as the team to beat, and the way Northwest builds winners on and off the mat. She also shares her academic plans—studying general business at Northwest before pursuing a digital marketing degree at Mississippi State, with hopes of working with major brands and sports/dance organizations.
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