MORRISTOWN, TN – The Jerry Nichols era opens for the Walters State men's basketball team on Wednesday, Nov. 1, as the Senators take on King University JV.
Along with a new head coach, the Senators have brought in a lot of new talent to go with some seasoned veterans.
Just like every team in college basketball, the Senators have been working on fixing things in the preseason as they get ready to tip it off.
"Preseason has gone well," Nichols said. "Obviously, we have things we need to get better at just like every other team. We're striving to do the little things better and really just learning how to play. We've only been at this thing for about a month, so we've had some highs and lows. I think it's good for us."
While having been a head coach before in junior college and in the TCCAA, Nichols has jumped back in at his alma mater after being an assistant at Tennessee State for the past five seasons.
For Nichols, the transition back into head coaching has been a smooth one thanks to the support of the college and the community.
"Transition has been good," Nichols said. "The people here at Walters State have always been great. We have great leadership here with Derek Creech and Dr. Miksa. They're trying to elevate the program every which way. Some of the things that we have been able to do to engage with the community have been big, as well. The community support has been great, and I'm hoping they continue to follow us and come out to some games."
In order to get his team ready for the regular season, Nichols has put his team through some big challenges in the preseason. The Senators went to the Sports Network Showcase, defeating No. 11 Chipola and Palm Beach. Walters State has also played Johnson University and Carson-Newman.
"I think that is going to help us a lot," Nichols said. "We had a chance to play some junior college competition, which was the elite of the elite. We've had a chance to play against some four-year schools, as well. I'm just excited about this season and what we could end up being by the end of the year."
Despite having 11 new players to Walters State, the Senators also return four players in Micah Simpson, Jaylen Wharton, Jair Horton and Malachi Hale.
Last season, Simpson averaged almost 11 points per game and was named to the All-TCCAA Second Team. Meanwhile, Wharton averaged five points per game in 28 games. Horton averaged four points in 28 games, and Hale averaged six points in 31 games.
"Micah is obviously learning new things," Nichols said. "Learning a new style is always hard. Micah is learning the value of a shot. I expect to see his shooting percentage go up throughout the course of the season. Jaylen (Wharton) has matured a little bit. He has a long way to go but is continuing to develop and is getting better and better.
"Jair Horton has had a really great fall. He's expanding his game and is continuing to get better. He plays extremely hard, and I'm looking forward to big things from him. And then you have Malachi who can shoot the basketball well. He needs to continue to work. This is going to be a make-or-break year for him. If he continues to improve, he's going to have a long career."
As far as new players on the team, Ramondo Battle is the biggest name. Battle transferred to Walters State after averaging almost 12 points per game and six rebounds at Weatherford College last season. Battle was named a Top 50 JUCO Freshman last season by jucorecruiting.com.
Nichols sees the potential in Battle and is pushing him to continue that upward trend that he knows he's capable of.
"Ramondo can bring a lot," Nichols said. "He's a very versatile player. He can shoot the three-ball and get downhill and do everything well. What I'm trying to do is get him to do everything great. He's doing good right now. He works extremely hard. He has a chance. He should be one of those player of the year type candidates in this league."
A local talent that is new to Walters State is Jamar Livingston. Last season at Daniel Boone High School, Livingston led the state as he averaged 32.2 points per game and nine rebounds.
While Nichols has obviously been impressed with Livingston's ability to score the ball, it's his ability to share the ball and take good shots that really has set him apart.
"I'm really excited to see him develop," Nichols said. "Jamar has been a shining light. He has worked extremely hard. The one thing that people talk about is his scoring, but the crazy thing is that he's more unselfish than people give him credit for. He takes good shots, which is something we're harping on. I think Jamar has really excelled in the preseason in his numbers and his overall play."
With the departure of Elijah Davis, Walters State looked for a new point guard this offseason and got it with the arrival of Terrance "JR" Jacobs. Jacobs is a transfer from Southern Illinois and played high school basketball in Memphis at Bartlett High School.
"JR has been phenomenal," Nichols said. "He's a phenomenal point guard. He's one of those kids that's a special talent. He's small in stature but his game is pretty big. I'm excited to see where he goes."
Two other guards that Nichols brought in this year include sophomore Greg Moore and freshman Charvez Ambrose. Moore is from Knoxville and went to Knox Central while Ambrose, like Jacobs, is from Memphis and went to Bartlett.
"Greg is trying to get adjusted to a new system, as well," Nichols said. "He can really shoot the basketball and make plays off the bounce. We're expecting him to provide some punches. Charvez Ambrose is a talented kid, as well. He's long and athletic and very versatile. I think fans are going to enjoy his game. I'm expecting him to continue to get better."
Other new players for the Senators include Kevin Meralus, Chi Shannon, Carter Metz from Rogersville, Adam Kadoura, Jaylon Taylor and Nathan Beasley.
"Our style of play is going to be different in regards to how we do things," Nichols said. "We have a lot of guys across the board that are going to want to score the basketball. These guys need to continue to work and get better and grind each and every day."
As far as the conference goes, it's a pretty even group of teams. Nichols said that the winner will be whichever team can take care of business each time they step out on the floor.
"The conference is tough across the board," Nichols said. "I don't think there's a clear-cut favorite. Anyone in our league can win it. I think it's going to come down to which team can get the job done each and every night. I'm hoping we can be that team."
In terms of goals for the Senators in year one, Nichols is not shying away from success. He said on the court, the goal is always to win and to win the conference. And off the court, graduating each player and getting them to the next level is the ultimate goal.
"I'll be honest, my goal has always been to win the conference," Nichols said. "The ultimate goal though is to graduate our men and get them to a four-year institution. That's the whole reason for a student-athlete coming to the community college level. We want to win, and we want to develop these men and get them where they need to be once they leave here."
Walters State opens up play next Wednesday on the road against King University JV. The Senators will be at home on Saturday against King University JV at 4:30 p.m., playing after the official court naming of Carlyle-Kragel Court.
Nichols is encouraging everyone in the community to come out all season long and support the Senators and Lady Senators.
"The message to the fans is that I need you all to be loud," Nichols said. "Walters State is a hidden gem for all sports programs here. Everyone just assumes that we're winning because they hear about all of our sports' success. But we need and want for people to come see us win. And not just see us win but be loud as well. That's going to make the overall atmosphere in the community better and it's going to make the student-athletes better."
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics