Men's Basketball Ready to Start its 2021-22 Season

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Coker University men's basketball is ready to start its 2021-22 season, the third under head coach Jarred Merrill.

Merrill is excited for this year, as it will be the closest season to "normal" that he's seen since arriving at Coker in 2019.

"This is just an exciting season for me personally to get a chance to coach the team for a full season without any interruptions," said Merrill. "Our kids have been locked in all off-season, we just want them to reach their full potential as individuals and most importantly as a unit and see what happens in the end."

Coker returns 11 players from a season ago, and Merrill is excited about what this group of returners brings to the table with plenty of game experience.

"It's a good feeling to have several guys back that have experience playing in the South Atlantic Conference," said Merrill. "This year's team has five seniors, Dakota Jennings, Ryan Carfley, Christopher Fordham, Chandler Lindsey, and Malcolm Kennedy all will play substantial minutes and be heavily leaned upon for leadership on and off the floor. Williams Onyeodi, DeVante Johnson and Jahnarious Snell will all also play significant roles."

Merrill is also excited about what the seven newcomers bring to this team.

"I think our freshman are getting used to my style and I believe several of those guys will get a chance to contribute this season," said Merrill. "I have been pleased with the great energy that Glenn Bynum Jr. brings to our team, he leads our team in floor burns.  Demar Anderson just has a feel for the game and is not afraid of the moment. Kyle Brown is our lone transfer, he's a natural scorer who will contribute right away."

Merrill noted that he is pleased with how the subgroups of his team have been able to create chemistry and learn to play together.

"They've all come together very well, we have great kids who are a joy to be around and they have all grown very close in a short amount of time," said Merrill.

Merill explained that he holds high expecations for his seniors, and that he expects them to lead on and off the floor.

"My seniors know that I expect a lot from them, it's not really about the points and the rebounds, it's more about the energy in practice, weights, and individual workouts," said Merrill. "The seeds that they are planting on and off the floor will be exactly what our younger group ends up picking up on and carrying on to the next group, culture starts at the top."

The Cobras open the season at the South Atlantic Conference-Peach Belt Conference Challenge, on the road at Georgia College (Nov. 12) and North Georgia (Nov. 13). The Cobras then return home to host Livingstone in the home opener on Nov. 16, before opening conference play at home against Mars Hill on Nov. 20. Lenoir-Rhyne comes to town on Nov. 23, before Coker ends the opening month of the season on the road at Lincoln Memorial on Nov. 27. The Cobras open December on the road at Catawba (Dec. 1), before returning home to host UVA Wise on Dec. 4. The Cobras then go on the road to Anderson (S.C.) on Dec. 8, before traveling to Queens (N.C.) on Dec. 11. The Cobras return home to face Limestone on Dec. 15, before finishing the month on the road at Newberry (Dec. 18). The Cobras open the 2022 half of the slate on the road with trips to Shaw (Jan. 2), Carson-Newman (Jan. 5) and UVA Wise (Jan. 8), before returning home for a three-game homestand facing Wingate (Jan. 12), Tusculum (Jan. 15) and Catawba (Jan. 19). Coker then returns to the road for trips to Lenoir-Rhyne (Jan. 22) and Wingate (Jan. 26), before hosting Anderson on Jan. 29 to wrap up the month. The Cobras open February at Limestone on Feb. 2, before returning home to face Lincoln Memorial (Feb. 5) and Queens (Feb. 9). The Cobras then hit the road for their final two road games of the season at Mars Hill (Feb. 12) and Tusculum (Feb. 19), before wrapping up the regular season at home against Newberry (Feb. 23) and Carson-Newman (Feb. 26).

"I'm not sure we have a tough stretch, our energy and focus is on Georgia College and most importantly ourselves to be prepared to play this coming weekend," said Merrill. "Our focus will always be that way, the next game and focusing on ourselves getting better daily." 

The Cobras begin the 2021-22 season this weekend at the Conference Challenge against host Georgia College on Friday (Nov. 12). Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.