JACKSON, Miss. - Maniya Kirksey is reaping the benefits of a breakout 2025-26 season with the Northeast Mississippi Community College women's basketball program.

Kirksey was named to the all-conference second-team after growing her scoring average by 10 points when compared to her freshman campaign with the Lady Tigers.

"Maniya had a great season leading us," said Northeast head coach Brian Middleton. "It really clicked for her at some point after Christmas and she was unstoppable. I'm proud for her and I'm thankful she was a Lady Tiger."

Kirksey led the Lady Tigers in scoring with 16.2 points per game, which ranked 5th in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC). She also averaged 6.5 rebounds while shooting 47.8 percent from the field.

From beyond the arc was where she truly shined with a 46.8 percentage, which ranked second in the conference. The 51 three-pointers that Kirksey made that broke the previous modern day single season record at Northeast.

Kirksey's figures in conference play were even better. She registered 19.6 points over 10 matchups, including five of those games with 20-plus points, while competing in 39.9 out of a possible 40 minutes.

She scored in double figures in 19 of her 25 total games played. Kirksey posted a career-high of 31 points in a 64-56 win over Southwest Mississippi Community College inside legendary Bonner Arnold Coliseum.

Kirksey cashed in a single game record of eight threes in a 28-point performance against Meridian Community College. She achieved double digits in 12 of 14 games after the Christmas break.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be in this position right now," Kirksey said. "I just felt like I had to put the team on my back to progress and keep us going. I just loved my team this year."

She surpassed the prestigious 500-point plateau during Northeast's big road triumph over Jones College. Kirksey also a pair of double-doubles versus Bishop State (Ala.) Community College and Southwest.

Her season-high as a freshman was 15 points in a win over Hinds Community College. She posted a career-best 13 rebounds that season as well in a triumph versus Northwest Mississippi Community College.

In year two with the Lady Tigers, Kirksey helped her team achieve a third straight trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament while competing against one of the toughest schedules in the state.