Fenner signs basketball letter with Northwest

By Myra Bean

Mario Fenner Jr. made his college decision public Wednesday as he signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Northwest Community College.

The 6’4” North Panola senior revealed his decision in the North Panola High School library with family, friends, teammates, coaches and teachers presents.

The family dressed in shades of green to honor fallen teammate Martavious “TayTay” Buford, who died last Sunday. He chose Northwest over Meridian mainly because Northwest offers a mortuary science degree.

Fenner said the offer was shocking to him.

“When I came here in my ninth grade year, I was kind of doubting myself. As I got older, I came along and improved myself. I felt pretty good,” Fenner said.

He also has 10 hours of dual enrollment classes through Northwest.

North Panola principal Keith Powell held Fenner up as an example of the “multiple pathways” in which students can take to become productive citizens, academics and athletics.

Cougar boys head basketball coach and athletic director Chris Yancy remembers Fenner as a freshman and his rocky start as a basketball player.

“He became a great player and a great leader,” Yancy said.

He is the son of Mario and Mattie Fenner, Sr., and has a younger sister, Mariah.

Cutline:   North Panola senior basketball player Mario Fenner, Jr., dons a Northwest hat after he announced he will play for the Rangers. He signed a national letter of intent Wednesday afternoon with family and friends to witness including (from left) Dorothy Kearney-Wilbourn and parents Mattie and Mario Fenner, Sr. (Myra Bean)