Carlyle, Senators ready for different 2021 season

January 18, 2021

MORRISTOWN, TN -- To quote Walters State men's basketball coach Bill Carlyle, "these are unprecedented times, and I don't know where we are going or how we will get there."

While the uncertainty is still there, the journey for Carlyle and his men's basketball team begins this coming Saturday against Experience Academy. It'll be the start of Carlyle's 44th year in charge of the Senators.

Saturday will kick off a different schedule than normal for Walters State. With COVID concerns still present, the Senators will just play teams in the East division of the TCCAA to cut back on travel. Because of this, Walters State will play Cleveland State, Roane State, Chattanooga State and Motlow State four times during the regular season instead of the normal two.

"That'll be interesting in it of itself," Carlyle said. "We are going to play sixteen conference games all in the Eastern Division. It'll be interesting to see what will happen when we play somebody that is ready to go. We open conference play with Chatt (State) here, and they are always tough for us. We'll jump in and just go. It's going to be interesting playing them four times. And when we get to the playoffs, we could see a team for the fifth time."

After playing Experience to start the season, the Senators will have their home opener against Chattanooga State on Jan. 27. A reminder, fans will not be allowed in the gymnasium through Jan. 31.

After Chattanooga State, Walters State will close out the month on the road against Motlow State. In February, the Senators will play six conference games, two against Cleveland State, two against Roane State and one against both Chattanooga State and Motlow State.

The schedule turns bulky in the month of March, playing seven conference games and two non-conference games against Spartanburg Methodist and Caldwell Community College. The season wraps up on April 3 with a game at home against Roane State.

Despite the different schedule and late start to the season, Carlyle has a lot of confidence in his team, a team that brings back familiar faces but also brings in a lot of new players.

"I am optimistic," Carlyle said. "I look at us and think if we can get under control a little more and start doing some things that you need to do to be a winner, we can be really good. I like this team. We have good shooters outside, and we have good size inside. If everything works out, I could see us just getting better and better as we go."

The Senators return three players from last years' squad that started at some point during the season in Sly Thompson, De'Marius Boyd and Jermize Weddle.

Thompson averaged 8.9 points in 29 games played last season, spending time mostly as the Senators starting point guard. Boyd was a standout at the shooting guard position, averaging 13.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 30 games.

Weddle wasn't as highly touted coming into last season but showed flashes throughout. Weddle scored 27 in a game against Roane State last year.

While all three players were talented last season, Carlyle has seen improvements out of each one heading into the new year.

"Sly is a really quick and aggressive guard," Carlyle said. "He has improved and is a much better shooter than he was last year. If we can get him to get under control, he is a really good guard.

"Jermize has improved big as well. I think he will see big minutes this year. I like the way he has improved, I like his demeanor and he has bulked up a little more. I am looking for good things from him."

Along with those three, Walters State returns Kajuan Hale who played for the Senators in 2018-19, averaging 13.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 31 games.

As for the new players, Carlyle has shored up his post play. Carlyle has brought in a forward in Gum Majek from Australia as well as Riek Riek from Rochester, MN.

"We felt good about our perimeter but got Riek and Gum (Majek) to kind of sure up our inside," Carlyle said. "I am excited about them and seeing how they play for us. They have a really good attitude."

Walters State touts a roster that has 17 players, all of whom Carlyle is sure can contribute in some way.

The Senators game against Experience Academy is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday. With fans not being allowed, you can follow Walters State's social media accounts for updates and news.

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics