Saluqi basketball kicks off season

By Keith Gentry

Saluqi Women
Saluqi Women’s Basketball Team

The 2021-2022 basketball season is underway for the Saluqis and Lady Saluqis. Both teams began non-conference play Nov. 1. Conference play begins Nov. 13 with a matchup against Dyersburg State Community College in the Verties Sails Gymnasium. 

New men's head coach Jarrett Stephens and new assistant coach Maurice 'Mo' Miller return two players off last year's TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII championship team in 6'8" forward Juan Cajelli and 6'4" guard Kaemon Prude. Cajelli started 13 games last season, averaging 5.9 points and leading the team with 6.1 rebounds per game. Prude was one of the top guards off the bench as a freshman and ranked among the team leaders with 41.3 percent from a three-point range. 

Saluqi Men
Saluqi Men’s Basketball Team

 

 

 


Six transfers and four freshmen join them on this season's roster. Transfers include 6'6" guard Jalen Cincore (Moberly Area Community College), 6'1" guard James DeJesus (Hillsborough Community College), 6'8" forward Arecko Gipson (East Mississippi Community College), 6'8" forward Mason Matthews (Tyler Junior College), 6'2" guard Caleb Mosley (Cleveland State Community College), and 6'5" forward Jarren Nunez Radden (Olive Harvey College). Rounding out the roster are four freshmen - 6'6" forward Marcotis Hall (Durham, NC/Oakville Prep), 5'9" guard Fabian Nelson (Olive Branch, MS/Magnolia Heights Academy), and two guards from Bartlett High School in 5'9", Will Farris and 5'8" Kamrin Jones.

5 veteran Lady Saluqis return

Veteran head women's coach Andrea Martre returns five players off last year's team, including two 'super sophomores' in 5'11" guard/forward Daisha Seltzer and 5'8" guard Breundria Ward. Now in their third year with the Lady Saluqis, both Seltzer and Ward were granted an additional year of eligibility due to COVID-19. Seltzer, a first team All-TCCAA selection last season, averaged 10.6 points per game and led the team in assists with 3.8 per game. Ward, also a two-year starter, averaged 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the spring of 2021. Also back are 5'6" guard Trinity Taylor and 5'11" forward Ariyani Robinson (both returning starters), 5'7" guard Cortasia Hollins and 6'1" forward Cailynn Knox. 

Joining them are four newcomers to the team: 6'2" center Ivana Rockemore (transfer from Bishop State Community College) and three freshmen in 5'7" guard Tyshianna Turner (Osceola, AR), 5'8" guard Sinclair Johnson (Arlington High School), 5'10" guard/forward Demiyah Gatlin (Brighton High School) and 5'10" guard/forward Tamyra Bland (Westwood High School