10-30-2007

 For Release: IMMEDIATELY

 The Walters State Lady Senators and Senators will kick-off the 2007-08 season Thursday, Nov. 1 in the “Z” Buda Assembly Hall and Gymnasium on the Morristown Campus.  The Lady Senators begin the season against the Lady Bears of Clinton College at 6 p.m.  The Senators will face the JV squad of the King College Tornadoes at 8 p.m.

The Lady Senators finished last season 23-12 and a Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association (TJCCAA) championship.  They made an appearance in the NJCAA national tournament in Salina, Kan.  They start the season nationally ranked at No. 24.

Key returnees for head coach Dave Kragel are Dana Garrett and Nakisha Strickland.  Garrett returns after averaging 10.9 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game.  Strickland averaged 8.9 points per game and over five boards per game.

“We have the experience we need,” said Kragel.  “My sophomores can be the key to a great season this year.  I need a team leader to step up.”

Some freshman to watch are point guard Alecia Bailey who played at Knox Bearden High School and the twin towers of Chantel Johnson of St. Johns, S.C. and Chanelle King of Jasper County, S.C.  At 6-foot-3 inches and 6-foot-2-inches respectively they will be worth keeping an eye on over the season.

“This is a great class coming in,” said Kragel.  “We have strength, height and quickness.  This can be a great year for us.”

The Senators finished the 2006-07 season with 20 wins despite losing several key players in the second half of the season due to injuries and academic reasons. 

Sirlester martin will return to the floor for the Senators after averaging nearly 12 points and six and a half rebounds per game last season.  Freeman Pinkney lead the team in assists last season with 97.  He also averaged nearly 10 points per game.

“We brought back a great sophomore class,” said head coach Bill Carlyle.  “We have a great mix at all positions in our sophomore class, and I look for great things from them this season.”

Freshman to watch this season are Laquantis Stewart and AJ Thomas.  Stewart is a 6-foot-7-inch post player from Batesburg, S.C.  Thomas is a 6-foot shooting guard from Memphis.

“This could possibly be our best recruiting season in many years,” said Carlyle.  “We are a little guard heavy, but I think it will fit in with our offense ok.  We are very quick this year.  If we have any weakness it may be we are a little too quick sometimes.”

The Lady Senators and Senators will follow opening night with a pair of home games Saturday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  The women will play the Lady Hurricanes of Louisburg and the men will face the JV squad of the Union College Bulldogs.