Ridgeland’s Nelson signs to play at ICC

Ridgeland High School senior guard Phil Nelson announced his commitment to the Itawamba Community College basketball program Sunday afternoon.

Nelson has been one of the state’s top basketball players during his career at Ridgeland so far, averaging 15.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game, and 1.8 steals per game in his three varsity seasons with the Titans. 

Ridgeland made a run all the way to the state championship game last year and Nelson was one of the major factors in that. He was awarded with all-state honors as a junior and has continued that momentum over into his senior season. 

During his senior season so far, Nelson has averaged 20.2 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, and 2 steals per game and is well on pace to earn all-state honors once again this year. 

Nelson will bring a commanding offensive presence with great scoring ability to the Itawamba CC basketball program. He chose ICC over offers from almost every other in-state community college, as well as offers from Jackson State and Mississippi College. Nelson visited Mississippi College, Jones CC, SW Mississippi CC, Pearl River CC, Holmes CC, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, and NE Mississippi CC. 

Ridgeland is also off to a hot start this year and will be one of the state title contenders once again this year in MHSAA 6A. The Titans sit at 17-3 so far on the year, as they enter the thick of region play. 

Following a 70-62 region win over Warren Central on Tuesday night, Nelson and Ridgeland will be back in action on Friday at home against Vicksburg, with a huge matchup and a chance to avenge one of their three losses circled on the scheduled next Friday against one of the state’s top teams and region foe in Columbus.