Terra State basketball returns for full season

As November began, so did the basketball season at Terra State Community College. The men's and women's basketball teams are now both midseason with games stretching all the way to March 5, 2022. The Titans men's basketball team began their season slightly earlier than the women's team, with their first game on November 2. Over the course of the season, the men's team will play two dozen games against a dozen teams, including the Tiffin University men's basketball team. The Titan men's team already faced TU once on November 15, but will play them a second time on February 14 next year. For the second year in a row, the men's team is led by head coach Malcolm Sims. The team has four returning players and eight new players this year, including the coach's son, Malcolm Sims Jr. Sims has confidence that forward Charles Knuckles, guards Jordan Whitford and Terrell Humes-Kinzer, center Duane Satchell and forwards Brendan Reynalds and Sims Jr. will make an impact on the court. "Getting back to a normal season playing scrimmages and a competitive non-league schedule should allow our guys the time needed to jell together," Sims said. "I believe in our all-around talent, and we have guys in all positions that can lead our conferences in various individual categories." The first home game for both teams will take place on November 30 against Mott Community College. As for the women's basketball team, Frank Gioffre has returned as the head coach. This is a big year for the women's team, since last season was completely canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. The team is starting with a clean slate of 15 incoming freshmen. "The women's basketball team has been working hard since they arrived on campus in August," Gioffre said. "Their commitment in the classroom and on the court has been outstanding. Everyone is excited to get the season underway, especially after last year." According to Gioffre, the players to watch this season are point guard Olivia Howard, guard Myah Goodman, and forwards Kaniya Boyer and Danay Smith. The Titans Women's basketball team will play 20 games this season from November 15 to March 5, including two against Heidelberg University. The Titans played Heidelberg once already on November 15, and the next face-off between the two will take place on January 13, 2022. "The OCCAC women's basketball league will be extremely competitive, but we understand the challenges ahead and are looking forward to the competition in the league," said Gioffre. The Titans athletics program at Terra State was reintroduced in 2019 with men's and women's basketball teams as well as a women's volleyball team. Just this year, the college added a baseball team. "The Terra athletic department is excited to see the upcoming basketball season get started," said Gregg Hedden, athletic director and head baseball coach at Terra State. "The women's and men's teams have been working hard on their craft on the court as well as in the classroom. It is important that we all realize that these athletes have put up with so much adversity over the course of the past three years and we are proud of their efforts given daily."