MORRISTOWN, TN – The 17th-ranked Walters State women's basketball team opens their season with a bang on Saturday, taking on No. 10 Shelton State at home. 

The Lady Senators bring in nine sophomores and one freshman to the 2023-24 team, however only four of the sophomores return from last season. 

For fourth-year head coach Jasmin Coleman, there's been a transition period with that many new players. But Coleman said her team is working hard each day to reach their goals. 

"You never have enough time to prepare for the start of the season," Coleman said. "But I will say that our kids have been working as hard as they know to work. Although I have several transfers, they still have a lot to learn just about how we play at Walters State. We're just learning every day. It'll take time but they're working every day to get there. I can see the improvement each time we're on the court." 

While the newer players are learning each day, Coleman is excited about the potential they bring to the table. Coleman said that this year's team is fit to play her style of basketball on both ends of the floor. 

"We have a lot of sophomores on the team, but they still need to work on the fundamentals and discipline you have to have to win championships," Coleman said. "They have to learn. It's something we're working on each day. This team might be a little different in that we're a lot more athletic and longer. That helps a ton, especially with the way I would like to play which is fast and applying pressure. All of them bring something different to the game."

One of the new sophomores that Coleman is excited about is Kristyna Boyd. A transfer from Chattanooga State, Boyd averaged 10.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 29 starts. She was an All-TCCAA Second Team member. 

"I look to get a lot of things out of Kristyna Boyd," Coleman said. "She averaged 10 and 7 last year. She's learning like the rest of them and trying to get better each day." 

Other new sophomores include Jeremya Johnson, Tianna Rhodes, Emmanuella Amaefula and Lia Wright. 

As for the four returners, Asia Barr is the one with the most playing experience last season. Barr played in 30 games last season, averaging a little under seven points and two assists per game. 

This year, Coleman will look for Barr to be a key leader on the team, something she knows that Barr is capable of doing. 

"Asia is the only returning player that I have that started a lot last season," Coleman said. "I expect her to bring a ton of leadership. I have Asia running more at point guard, but she'll see time at the two as well. She's been stepping up and showing some really good things this preseason. Asia has a high basketball IQ. She'll make mistakes but she'll make up for them and will keep her composure. I think she's ready to take on the leadership role." 

The other returners include Briontanay Marshall, Juilenne Ongbagnamen and Ciara Taylor. Marshall averaged 3.5 points last season in 19 games, Taylor played in 17 games and Ongbagnamen played in 21 games. 

As for freshmen, the lone one is Kyra Perkins. A native of McMinnville, Perkins is an extremely athletic basketball player that Coleman feels will allow her to do different things on the court this season. 

"Kyra is probably the most athletic player I have coached here," Coleman said. "When she learns, she'll allow us to put pressure on people that I haven't been able to do in the past. She makes mistakes, but is asking questions every day and wants to learn and get better. As good of an athlete as she is, she's a better person. She'll learn and get there and I am happy to coach such a good person."

In terms of the schedule this season, the Lady Senators start out with a top-25 matchup at home against Shelton State. Walters State will travel to 10th-ranked Shelton State later in the season to take on the Bucs and Chipola. 

"Coach Madonna Thompson is an amazing coach and always has a good program," Coleman said. "You want to be able to play a tough schedule so your kids can learn what it takes to get it done. Shelton will do that, and it will show us what we're about early. We get Shelton and Chipola at Shelton's Classic too so that's two really strong games we will see. It'll be a challenge, but we will get better and hopefully step up to that challenge and level of competition."

As far as goals this season, Coleman has the same as always as the Lady Senators look to make the NJCAA Tournament for the 20th time in program history. 

"My goal is for each team to reach their fullest potential," Coleman said. "Each team is different. This team has a lot of pieces. We want to be able to work to get better with everything each day in practice. Clearly, our goal each year is to win the regular season and conference championship and to play for a national championship. That will not change and we will work every day to it." 

The Lady Senators first game will be Saturday, November 4, against Shelton State at 2 p.m. Following the completion of the game, Walters State will have the official naming of Carlyle-Kragel Court. 

"This team is new, even though we have a lot of sophomores," Coleman said. "But I think we have the potential to get where we want to be if we work hard. This team has really good qualities and talent that works real well with the way I want to run a basketball team. Going into my fourth year as head coach, I want to play a faster pace game. I think this team will eventually be able to do that and guard people 94 feet. Once we get tougher mentally, we will be able to create problems for people. I am very excited about the start of the season and learning and growing with my team." 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics