Video: Northeast’s Sorrell Signs with North Alabama

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BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/NEMCC Athletics) — The last two Northeast Mississippi community College student-athletes to reach the illustrious 500-point plateau will come together again for one more season at the four-year level.

Raheem Sorrell has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to continue his stellar career on the basketball court at the University of North Alabama.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m very excited for him and his family,” said Tigers head coach Cord Wright. “There’s been a lot of time and work put into this both on the floor and in the classroom.

“They had a need to find a guy inside that could rebound and score for them and we know Raheem can do both of those. They’re getting a kid that’s humble and is ready to go over there and work. I’m really proud of him and where he’s going.”

The Lions are two years removed from claiming their sixth Gulf South Conference (GSC) title. North Alabama, which has captured two NCAA Division II national championships, has qualified for the postseason during each of headman Bobby Champagne’s 12 campaigns in charge.

Sorrell joins former teammate Dimario Jackson, who was selected as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American while at Northeast, on the Lions’ talented roster.

“That means everything to me to go out there and play with Dimario again,” Sorrell said. “He and I had a good connection here. We played together real well. He’s a good player and he’s a good Christian. Being around him just tops it off.”

Sorrell helped the Tigers make their eighth trip to Hutchinson, Kan., for the NJCAA Division I National Tournament following a thrilling run through the regional competition on the campus of Mississippi College.

The Corinth native surpassed the prestigious 500-point mark for his Northeast tenure with two second half free throws during the Tigers’ NJCAA Region 23 Tournament opening victory versus Holmes Community College.

He produced his 28th and final double-digit performance with the Tigers during their opening contest at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. Sorrell accumulated 10 points on the dot against Salt Lake (Utah) Community College at the legendary Sports Arena.

“To win that championship with this team was a huge accomplishment,” said Sorrell. “I love the guys. We worked and won this thing together. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Sorrell was named to the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State selection after an outstanding freshman campaign in which he finished second on squad with 11.4 points per game.

The 6-6, 235 pounder was phenomenal during Northeast’s postseason appearances that year with a combined 42 points and 16 boards in three contests at the MACJC State Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

He averaged 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per matchup while with the Tigers. Sorrell earned the starting nod in 36 of the 54 games that he appeared under the watch of Wright.

Sorrell amassed 526 points on 181 made buckets and was a 52.3 percent shooter during his stay in the City of Hospitality. He was solid at the free throw line as well with a 70.1 percent clip.

He was part of a memorable sophomore class that racked up 35 victories, including 15 inside the MACJC North Division. Northeast was 22-4 at its home venue of Bonner Arnold Coliseum during that stretch.

Sorrell becomes the eighth Tiger in the past three years to achieve their dreams of reaching the next stage of amateur basketball. He joins a distinguished list that includes Jackson and Reggie Patterson of Mississippi State University.