NJCAA powers await No. 16 Walters State in Senators Classic

For No. 16-ranked Walters State, the tests will come early this season as the Lady Senators host two ranked opponents in this weekend's Senators Tip-Off Classic tournament at the 'Z' Buda Gymnasium.

Friday, WSCC will face off against No. 21 Georgia Highlands at 6 p.m. Saturday, the Lady Senators will do battle with No. 7-ranked Shelton State at 5 p.m.

Roane State will play Shelton State Friday at 2 p.m. and play Georgia Highlands Saturday at 1 p.m. in the tournament. The Raiders were 12-19 last year and were knocked out of the Region VII tournament by Walters State, 54-45 on March 4.

Last season the Chargers finished 20-13 before getting knocked out in the second round of the Region 17 Championship. Jahnaria Brown and Nijeria Jordan return from that squad. Brown was the team's third leading scorer in 2018-19, averaging 12.6 points per game. Jordan scored 10.5 points a contest.

The Bucs are coming off a 29-4 season where their season ended in a 65-55 loss to Trinity Valley in the second round of the NJCAA national tournament on March 20. Last season in the Tip-Off Classic, Shelton State defeated Roane State 93-42 and Walters State 69-55.

Last year's second leading scorer, LaTascya Duff returns for her sophomore season after averaging 13.4 points per game. Twin sister LaTora averaged 6.6 points per game coming off the bench in 2018-19, but should be more of a scoring factor this season.