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HARRIMAN, TN – Walters State’s Michael Houge was named to the All-TCCAA Men’s Basketball First Team on Sunday afternoon while Micah Simpson, Elijah Davis and Riley Cooper were named to the All-TCCAA Second Team.

Houge earned the honor after producing a monstrous season for the Senators. Houge averaged 18.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. He scored double-digits in every game during the regular season and recorded 19 double-doubles. He ended the regular season with 16 straight double-doubles.

Houge ranked second in the conference in points per game, third in rebounds per game and fourth in field goal percentage. Houge’s best game of the season came on Jan. 8 against Experience Academy, scoring 19 points and grabbing 24 rebounds. His season-high in points was the final game of the regular season, finishing with 31 points against Jackson State.

On the second team were Simpson, Davis and Cooper. A freshman from Morristown, Simpson earned the honor after averaging 10.7 points per game. Simpson ranked top-10 in the conference with 1.7 steals per game, as well. Simpson’s best game of the season came at Volunteer State on Feb. 18, finishing with 28 points.

For Davis, he averaged 10.8 points and 7.6 assists per game in 28 games this season. Davis was first in the conference in assists per game by over two assists. He was also fourth in the conference in minutes played, averaging 29 minutes per game. His season-high in points came on Jan. 14 against Vol State, scoring 20 points. His season-high in assists came on Feb. 18 and 25, dishing out 11 assists against Vol State and Jackson State.

Rounding out the honors was Cooper. Cooper played in 25 games this season, averaging 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Cooper’s best game of the season came on Feb. 4 against Columbia State, scoring 23 points on 8-10 shooting.

To view the complete All-TCCAA Teams and award winners, check www.tjcaa.com.

Walters State’s season ends in Region VII

Tournament to

Dyersburg State

HARRIMAN, TN – Walters State put up 47 points in the second half on Sunday afternoon against Dyersburg State but a slow first half was the difference, falling 85-75 in the TCCAA/Region VII Quarterfinals.

With the loss, Walters State’s season concluded with a 20-11 record. The Senators won 20 games for the first time since 2018-19.

“If you turn the ball over 18 times, it’s hard to win,” Walters State coach Bill Carlyle said. “I didn’t think we played up to par. I thought we played pretty good defense in the first half, but our offense struggled. They were just a little sharper than us, I don’t want to take anything away from Dyersburg.

“We had a good year. Anytime you win 20 games, it’s nice. We just weren’t able to come through today.”

Michael Houge finished the year with his best performance of the season, finishing with 33 points and 11 rebounds. It was his 17th straight double-double and 20th of the season. He finished the season with double digits in points in every game.

Along with Houge, Micah Simpson had 14 points and four steals while Ty Hurst had 10 points and four assists.

Other contributors for Walters State were Elijah Davis with six points and eight assists, Saevion Brown with six points, Riley Cooper with four points and four rebounds and Destin Barker with two points and seven rebounds.

As a team, Walters State shot 47% from the field. Defensively, the Senators forced 17 turnovers.

It was a hot start for Walters State as Simpson scored and Hurst hit two free throws to make it 4-0. Simpson then scored eight more to make it 12-7.

However, the Senators went cold from there as Dyersburg took the lead. The two traded buckets until the Eagles closed strong and led 36-28 at the half. Simpson and Houge each had 10 points in the opening 20 minutes.

In the second half, Houge was unstoppable with 23 points. He scored the first four of the second before Dyersburg quickly answered to go up 41-32. The lead remained there until Hurst hit a three, Houge scored, Hurst scored again and Houge scored five straight to make it 50-49.

Following a Dyersburg bucket, Hurst tied the game at 52 with a three before two Simpson free throws gave Walters State the lead at 54-52.

Walters State would hold the lead until Dyersburg hit a three to go back up 58-56. Walters State would tie the game at 60 but never lead again as the Eagles held on.

Along with Houge’s 23 points on 9-11 shooting, Hurst had eight in the second half while Davis added six.

As a team, the Senators shot 59% in the second half.