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A standout guard from Bishop McNamara has committed to the University of Mississippi, delivering a boost to an SEC program while reshaping the local high-school basketball picture. The move matters now: it cements a high-profile recruit for Ole Miss and leaves Bishop McNamara preparing for life without one of the region’s top playmakers.
Nyair McCoy, a four-star point guard listed at 5-foot-4, announced her decision on social media this week to play at the University of Mississippi. McCoy arrives with a résumé that includes first-team honors in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and a first-team All-Met selection.
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Her junior season put McNamara on the national map: the Lady Mustangs finished 29-3 and were ranked No. 2 in the final High School On SI Top 25 for 2025–26. Coaches and scouts praised McCoy’s court vision and leadership as central to that run.
In a message shared online, McCoy expressed gratitude to family, coaches and teammates who supported her throughout the recruitment process and credited faith and hard work for getting her to this point.
What McCoy brings to Ole Miss
At the collegiate level, McCoy projects as a quick, decision-minded floor general who can push tempo and organize an offense. For Ole Miss, she represents immediate backcourt depth and a player accustomed to high-pressure games against top regional competition.
| Item | Nyair McCoy | Marcus Crawford |
|---|---|---|
| Current school | Bishop McNamara High School (Forestville, MD) | St. Mary’s Ryken High School (Leonardtown, MD) |
| New role | Committed to play at the University of Mississippi (SEC) | Head girls basketball coach; also joins faculty as an English teacher |
| Height / Class | 5‑foot‑4; rising senior | N/A |
| Key achievements | First-team WCAC, First-team All-Met; helped team to 29‑3 and No. 2 national ranking | Turned around Bishop McLaughlin program (3‑14 to 14‑9); led team to first district semifinal in five years; team GPA 3.95 |
| Background | Highly rated point guard in the Mid‑Atlantic region | College assistant at Saint Leo University; coached at Trinity Collegiate; worked with Team Durant on the Nike EYBL circuit |
Ryken hires a program builder
St. Mary’s Ryken announced the hiring of Marcus Crawford as its new girls basketball coach. Crawford brings a mix of high-school and collegiate coaching experience and will also teach English at the school.
His most recent stop was Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Florida, where he inherited a struggling program and produced a turnaround in his first season, improving the record to 14–9 and reaching a district semifinal for the first time in five years.
School officials highlighted Crawford’s attention to both athletic development and academics. Under his guidance, his previous team posted a cumulative 3.95 GPA, evidence, the school said, of his emphasis on accountability and character.
Ryken’s principal described Crawford as a leader who builds programs that compete at a high level while developing student-athletes’ character. Crawford, for his part, said he is honored to join the school and intends to focus on discipline, daily improvement and preparing players for success beyond basketball.
Implications for the region
- For Ole Miss: Adds a proven high-school floor general familiar with top regional competition.
- For Bishop McNamara: Replacing McCoy will be a priority; the program’s national profile may ease recruitment.
- For the WCAC: Ryken’s new coach signals continued emphasis on strong coaching hires as the conference remains highly competitive.
Both moves — McCoy’s commitment to the SEC and Crawford’s arrival at St. Mary’s Ryken — will reshape rosters and staff boards ahead of the next school year. Fans and local programs can expect active offseason adjustments as teams prepare for the upcoming WCAC slate and the next wave of college recruiting.
