MORRISTOWN, TN – Jasmin Coleman enters her second season as head coach of the Walters State women's basketball team in 2021-2022 as the Lady Senators look to make their 11th NJCAA Tournament in the last 13 years.
It won't be easy as Coleman has to replace multiple starters from last year's team. However, Coleman has a deep team in 2021-2022 that could make noise.
"We have a lot of new players to our program this year that are in the process of learning the Walters State culture and just how tough you have to play and how hard you have to go here," Coleman said. "We're learning and getting better each day. This team plays hard. We just have to continue to learn and get better."
In terms of returning players for the Lady Senators, Kiera Hill leads the way after a successful season last year. Hill started eight games last season, averaging eight points and six rebounds per game.
With Hill returning, that adds a player on the court for Coleman who knows what she wants out of her team on the court and can coach some of the younger players.
"Kiera has been big at talking and communicating with the other girls," Coleman said. "She's good with both post players and our guard group. She's shown true signs of what a veteran player should be doing day-to-day. She's progressing, and she should do some really good things for us."
Other returning players for Coleman include Vertonia Bady, Akiraona Steverson and Ryann Woodley.
Coleman specifically pointed to Woodley as someone she expects to make a jump this year, moving from a backup point guard role last year to possibly the starting role this year.
"She's been trying to run the point and learn the discipline it takes to be a point guard at Walters State," Coleman said. "She's learning and getting better. She just needs to keep coming along with the things she needs to do on both sides of the ball."
In terms of new players, Walters State brings in eight. One that Coleman specifically pointed out was Izarria Alexander.
Alexander, whose sister played at Walters State from 2016-2018, comes in as a sophomore and someone who has the experience to make a difference.
"She's a longer and probably quicker version of Kentoria (her sister)," Coleman said. "She plays hard and just needs to learn. She's a player I expect to step up and get some things done, especially on the defensive end."
Locally, Matty Tanner joins the team following a successful four years at Grainger High School. Coleman said that Tanner is off to a great start and will continue to get better as the season progresses.
Other new players for the Lady Senators include Rose Morrow, Maiya Reed, Brooke Christian, Elizabeth Chambers, Tyasia Reed and Germariona Hollingsworth.
In terms of schedule for Walters State, the Lady Senators will face a full schedule this year as opposed to last year when they played just 14 regular season games.
For Coleman, she sees that as a huge benefit as they will see a variety of competition instead of the same teams over and over again.
"I think not being able to really play any non-conference teams last year affected us greatly," Coleman said. "Just not being able to play as many games was huge, especially when it came down to the national tournament when we played 14 games all season while our opponent played around 30. I am thankful that we get to play a full schedule this year, and we'll hit the ground running."
The schedule starts off with a bang on Thursday, Nov. 4, when Walters State takes on No. 12 Georgia Highlands in the Senators Tip Off Classic. Then, on Saturday, Nov. 6, Walters State will host No. 6 Shelton State.
Other non-conference games this season include playing in Florida over Thanksgiving against Eastern Florida State College and St. Petersburg College. The Lady Senators will face Shelton State once again in December in the Shelton State Classic as well as playing Wallace State.
"Those games are going to help us tremendously," Coleman said. "Then, our conference is difficult as well. All of the teams in our conference can play."
In terms of goals this season, it's the same as it always is and that is to make the national tournament, something the Lady Senators have gotten used to doing over the years.
For now though, Coleman just wants to see her team continue to improve each day.
"Our main focus now is to take it one day at a time," Coleman said. "Our ultimate goal is to win a championship but there are things you have to do daily in order to get there. These kids are working really hard. We just have to improve and do things to put ourselves in a spot to get to the national tournament.
"I definitely think we have the pieces to be there and to be able to do well in this conference. We just need to make sure we come every single to play and don't take days off and just prepare."
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics