Lady Senators working hard in preparation for 2024-25 season
MORRISTOWN, TN – It's rare to find a team with the makeup that the Walters State women's basketball team has as they enter the 2024-25 basketball season.
The Lady Senators, one year after having 10 sophomores and just one freshman, have the reverse this season with nine freshmen and one sophomore.
However, despite the youth, the Lady Senators are a hungry team and have impressed during the preseason.
"We have been working at it like always," Walters State coach Jasmin Coleman said. "We have nine freshmen and one sophomore returner. A lot of learning but we are progressing. With such a young group, it will take time but we are working at it each day.
"We were able to scrimmage teams in the preseason like Carson Newman, who returns everyone but one person and is ranked No. 14 in NCAA DII preseason polls, Milligan who is receiving votes and King who have a ton of upperclassmen. They help us a lot because of their experience."
The one returner for Walters State is a big one in Kyra Perkins. The TCCAA Freshman of the Year last season, Perkins averaged 14.7 points and five rebounds per game.
Perkins has a big role to fill being the only sophomore on the team, but Coleman said she has adjusted well and is ready to lead.
"Kyra is the most talented guard that I have seen this preseason," Coleman said. "She has to step into a bigger leadership role and continue to improve throughout the year. She had over 20 D1 offers and has committed to Austin Peay. We are blessed to have her here."
In terms of newcomers, there are a lot. Those include Terryauna Griffin, Raegan Starks, Nyjah Gibbs, Alexis Hood, Jahliya McDonald, Morgan Williams, Anaya Mulholland-Natt and local products Allie Jones and Ellie Linx.
Their impact has already been made on and off the court, and Gibbs and Mullholland-Natt have both been named captains despite just being freshmen.
"We have some talented freshmen that just have to learn," Coleman said. "Terryauna Griffin averaged over 25 points per game in high school, so we definitely expect her to score it for us. Raegan Starks and Nyjah Gibbs will see time at multiple positions. Our big kids, Alexis Hood and Jahliya McDonald, bring size inside but both of them stretch the floor with their ability to shoot the three. Ellie Linx and Allie Jones are local products who will both see time at the small forward position. Anaya has been our hardest worker in the preseason. Morgan Williams played on a state runner up team and was huge in the state tournament this past season."
The biggest thing that the newcomers will have to learn quickly is the defensive intensity it takes to play for the Lady Senators. Last season, Walters State ranked No. 2 in the country in points allowed at 47.9 and first in field goal percentage allowed at just 20.2%.
"We finished high in the country defensively last season with a new team," Coleman said. "This year, we look to do the same. Expectations are the same. Everything we do starts with our defense. I think Coach (Chris) Harris and I are getting this team learning and believing."
The Lady Senators will be tested early and often this season. Walters State opens things up with games against No.9 Shelton State and Florida Southwestern. Throughout the season, Walters State will play Shelton State again, No. 19 Pearl River and No. 22 Chattanooga State twice.
"We play in multiple ranked games with nine freshmen and one sophomore," Coleman said. "We will have to learn quickly, but we are ready to do so. People will care less about how young we are, they know the traditions of the women's basketball program here so they will give us their absolute best."
As far as goals go, the standard is the same for the Lady Senators.
"We look to bring back the program's 23rd TCCAA Championship this year and make the national tournament," Coleman said. "If this group can stay together, grow up and have discipline and toughness they will get there.
Friday's game at the Carlyle/Kragel Classic at home against No.9 Shelton State is scheduled for 2 p.m.
For all information about the Walters State women's basketball team, visit www.wsccathletics.com and follow the Lady Senators on social media.
"I am excited about this group," Coleman said. "We have had to battle things in the preseason, but this young group is reliant. Now, it's time to grow and play the Walters State way."