MORRISTOWN, TN – Monday night against Milligan College JV, Walters State will kick off Bill Carlyle's 45th season as head coach of the Senators. 

The 2021-2022 Senators team is filled with a bevy of new players but Carlyle also brings back a couple of veteran players who are expected to make a significant impact. 

"We've got an athletic and talented group," Carlyle said. "I am very optimistic about this team. We have good scorers around the perimeter. All our bigs are pretty good." 

One of those weapons that Walters State brings back for the 2021-2022 season is De'Marius Boyd. Boyd was a NJCAA Second Team All-American last year and was third in the country in points per game, averaging 23. 

Carlyle expects big things from Boyd again this season.

"We have Boyd back this year," Carlyle said. "Boyd is a type of kid that you don't think is doing much but then he ends up with 20-25 points. He's just a finisher at the rim. We are really happy to have him back." 

Another returnee for Walters State is Destin Barker, who started eight games last season in the post. 

As for newcomers this year, Walters State brings in 14 new players. Carlyle noted several that could make an immediate impact including Ty Hurst from Knoxville, Ronnie Thompson, Decorrian Kelly, Riley Cooper and Josh Jerome.

In the post, Carlyle also mentioned Brandon Kabuya Mpoyi and Dowar Jioklow as guys that can contribute. 

"We've got some weapons this year," Carlyle said. "We just have to put the puzzle together. We have to get them all on the same page. If we can do that, we can be very successful. I think this team has the ability to be very successful. We run the floor well and seem to like each other a lot. That's a big factor. I have enjoyed this group of players." 

Locally, former Jefferson County point guard Kawika Makua is a freshman on Carlyle's team and is someone that Carlyle sees can contribute on the offensive end. 

"He's doing a good job for us," Carlyle said. "I've been impressed with him. He's still working on his defense, but offensively he was pretty good in high school and is doing a good job for us right now. We're high on him." 

With the amount of talent Carlyle has, he has even noted that he may run a five man rotation to get everyone on the court in a game.

In terms of schedule, Carlyle and the Senators benefit from being able to open up and play more teams out of conference than last season.

After a game against Milligan JV to open the season, the Senators will host the Senators Tip Off Classic. On Friday, Nov. 5, Walters State will take on Cape Fear Community College. The next day, the Senators will play Caldwell Community College. 

Other non-conference game on the schedule include playing in the Caldwell CC Classic against Caldwell and Davidson-Davie. In terms of conference play, the Senators will take on the West side of the TCCAA this season after non playing them last year due to COVID restrictions. 

On the schedule, Homecoming is set for Dec. 4 against Volunteer State. Sophomore Night will be on Feb. 19 against Jackson State. 

As for goals this season, it's the same as always: making it to the National Tournament. It would be the first time since 2017. 

"As of right now, I am optimistic," Carlyle said. "We will be really fun to watch. We have some slammer jammers and some deep shooters and post play. We get after it and we've got some quickness. It could be one of our better teams. It's just all got to come together." 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics