2025-2026 Basketball Media Guide by Wallace State Community College

Message from the President

Welcome to Wallace State Community College, and thank you for supporting Wallace State Athletics!

We have a long and storied history of excelling at athletics and we are exceedingly proud of all our teams - with nine national championships, numerous conference championships, and national team and individual honors among them. Our scholar-athletes go on to successful careers, whether they plan to enter the workforce, transfer to a university, or go professional.

Your support is so important to our college and to our teams. We look forward to having you on campus this semester to watch these talented athletes compete, and we hope you will return again and again to take advantage of the many opportunities Wallace State offers.

Sincerely,

Vicki P. Karolewics, Ed.D. President

Web: athletics.wallacestate.edu njcaa.org wallacestate.edu acccathletics.com

WALLACE STATE

READY TO ROAR

#12 Taylor Smith

#0 Leah Childress #1 Kameron Sanders #32 Idaysia Mercer #3 Karma Wynn

#4 Jada Peterson #5 Nia Smith #11 Sinaya Gibson

#21 Zamyra Goode

#35 Heather Tetro #53 Bailey Tetro

#15 Chloe Rule

MEET THE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF

Head Coach Joseph Simmons

Joseph Simmons enters his second season as head coach of the Wallace State Women’s Basketball program in 2025–26. Simmons previously served as an assistant coach at Wallace State from 2006-2010 under former coach Allen Sharpe, who is now the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Alabama at University at Huntsville.

In his first season as head coach (2024–25), Simmons led the Lady Lions to a historic 29–5 record, capturing the program’s first ACCC Championship since 2011 and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. Wallace State ranked No. 1 nationally in scoring defense (45.2 points per game) and No. 3 in made three-pointers (345). The team featured the nation’s top three-point shooter, Kallie Tinker, who made 135 threes at a 40% clip.

Simmons was named the 2024–25 South District Coach of the Year, and numerous players earned individual honors, including NJCAA All-American, ACCC Tournament MVP, two ACCC All-Tournament selections, two ACCC All-Conference selections, and six NJCAA Academic All-Americans.

The Lady Lions have won seven ACCC championships and made nine NJCAA Division I National Tournament appearances.

Across 17 seasons as a head coach, Simmons has compiled a 392–161 career record with 12 seasons of 20-plus wins and two 30-plus win campaigns. His previous stops include East Poinsett County (AR), Marshall County (KY), Goodpasture Christian (TN), and Green Hill High School (TN).

An Arkansas native, Simmons holds master’s degrees from the University of the Cumberlands and the United States Sports Academy, a bachelor’s from Arkansas State University, and an associate’s from Crowley’s Ridge College. He played collegiately at Crowley’s Ridge (1998–2000) and Vennard College (2001–2002).

Simmons and his wife, Adrienne, have two daughters, Kennedy and Kylie.

Assistant Coach Mekayla Lumpkin

Mekayla Lumpkin, a Birmingham native, serves as assistant coach for the Lady Lions. A graduate of Ramsay IB High School, Lumpkin played four years of Division I basketball at South Carolina State University, earning a degree in Agricultural Business in May 2025.

Passionate about player development and mentorship, Lumpkin is committed to helping athletes excel on the court, in the classroom, and in life.

WALLACE STATE

WALLACE STATE LIONS MEN’S BASKETBALL

#12 Sawyer Griffin

#30 Ayden Crowe #32 Naysean Rhome

#0 Jaeden Rush #1 Hayden Shedrick

#3 Kohl Key #4 Viczavious Madden

#5 Trey Knight #10 Julian King #11 Kylen Clark

#20 Tony Wilson #21 Austin Davenport #24 Tyson Barrett

#35 Devan Rush

#15 Mekhi Pearson

MEET THE MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF

Head Coach Faron Key

Faron Key enters his second season as head coach of the Wallace State Men’s Basketball program. A former Lion himself, Key played at Wallace State from 1995–1997 under Coach Paul Brown, making him the first alumnus to lead the program as head coach.

In his debut season, Key guided the Lions to a 26–6 record, capturing the ACCC regular-season championship and the ACCC/Region 22 title for the fifth time in program history. The team advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament and featured two All-Conference players, two Region 22 All-Tournament selections (including the MVP), and NJCAA Tournament participants.

A Cullman native and graduate of West Point High School, Key spent 18 years as a high school head coach, amassing 299 career wins and earning a reputation as a program builder and developer of young talent.

Key and his wife, Tamisha, have been married for 30 years and have four children: Kayla, Karmyn, Kiah, and Kohl.

Assistant Coach Drew Wilson

Drew Wilson is in his second season as assistant coach for the Lions. Before joining Wallace State, Wilson served as Director of Basketball Operations at Arkansas State University (2021–2024), where he oversaw scheduling, travel, budgeting, media relations, and NCAA compliance. During his tenure, Arkansas State achieved its highest win total and first winning conference record in five years, while producing the Sun Belt Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

Wilson previously coached at Faulkner University (2014–2021), helping the program secure four Southern States Athletic Conference championships and three NAIA National Tournament appearances. His recruiting and player development efforts produced multiple NAIA AllAmericans and All-Conference selections.

From 2012–2014, Wilson served as Associate Head Coach at Snead State Community College, where several players advanced to NCAA Division I programs and other four-year institutions.

MEET THE CHEERLEADING COACHING STAFF

Head Coach Kevin Yates

Kevin Yates leads the Wallace State cheer program for the 2025–26 season. A Wallace State alumnus and Oneonta native, Yates owns Sky Tyde Properties, Blount County Fitness, and Showtime All-Star Tumble and Cheer in Cleveland. He cheered for Wallace State from 2000–2002 before transferring to Morehead State University, where he was part of two UCA College National Championship teams.

Yates earned an associate degree in business administration from Wallace State and a bachelor’s in University Studies with an emphasis in Business Communications from Morehead State.

Assistant Coach Darion Mitchell

Darion Mitchell, a Wallace State cheer alumnus (2017–18), returns as assistant coach, bringing experience and enthusiasm to help guide the team toward another championship season.