Basketball Season Gets Underway

The Edison State Community College women's and men's basketball teams returned to the court on Saturday, November 1. Both teams have worked hard preparing for the season.

Head Coach Tim McMahon leads the Lady Chargers for the 12th season, bringing over four decades of coaching expertise to the program. McMahon came to Edison State in 2002 as an assistant coach under Head Coach Kim Rank, when they compiled a 78-38 record. In 2007, the program made it to their first-ever National Tournament.

In 2014, McMahon came back to Edison State to take over the program. Since his return, McMahon has assembled high-caliber teams that have regularly made the District Tournament. In 2017-18, his team made it to the District I Semi-Finals with a 24-6 record. Then, in 2020 and 2022, McMahon led the Lady Chargers to an OCCAC conference title. In 2022, the team advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament.

"We're very excited to get the season started," McMahon said. "We return with three very talented sophomores—Rylie Homan, Emma Yukon, and Emma Will—who bring the skills, leadership, and mindset needed to guide this team both on and off the court."

Joining them is a strong group of 10 freshmen eager to learn and contribute to the team's success: Audrey Bean, Alianna Davis, Felicity Harbour, Jaela Johnson, Sadie Larrabee, Presley Reese, Oliveah Sanders, Ava Sheeter, Emerson Walker, and Megan Wood.

"We believe this group has the talent, work ethic, and determination to compete for another league title," McMahon added.

The Lady Chargers hosted Kellogg Community College at home in their first game of the season, winning 85-63. They'll host Cedarville University JV on Thursday, November 6, before hitting the road to challenge Wayne County Community College in their first conference matchup on Saturday, November 8.

Joining McMahon is Assistant Coach Doug Martin, who brought over 30 years of coaching experience to the Lady Chargers program when he joined in 2016. Before Edison State, Martin was the varsity girls' basketball coach at Anna High School. He helped lead the Lady Rockets to a State Championship in 2011, State Runner-up in 2012, and State Championship in 2013.

Leading the men's basketball team for the eighth year is Head Coach Kyle Vanover, who has over 20 years of coaching experience. Under his leadership, the Chargers have a combined record of 98-77 overall and 45-41 in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference. His 2021-22 team produced a record for most wins in a single season with 25, best home record of 18-0, best finish in school history, and was a Region 12 Runner-up. Vanover was named OCCAC Co-Coach of the Year for the 2021-22 season. He has coached two NJCAA All-Americans: 2nd Team Lacey Watson in 2018-19 and 3rd Team Ibrahima Athie in 2021-22. Vanover also placed Owen Bronston on a NCAA Division I roster at South Carolina State in 2024-25.

The Chargers are looking to get back to their winning ways after what Vanover calls a trying 2024-25 season. He sees this new group, with five returning players, as a refreshing start for what promises to be a title-filled season. They plan to use patience, athleticism, and experience to make it tough on opponents.

"This group of young men is putting in a tremendous amount of extra work," said Vanover. "This is the first season in a while that we've witnessed the team chemistry, support, and respect they have for one another and the coaching staff. With our returners and newcomers, this might be one if not the deepest team we have had!"

The Chargers returned to the court with seven sophomores and 10 freshmen.

Returning players include forwards Dominick Caperton-Avila, Daviyon McDonald, and Ayden Simpson, and guards Matthew Clopper and Tyler Wyles.

"Unfortunately, Dom's 2024-25 season came to an early end, but he has worked extremely hard to get back on the court for this upcoming season," said Vanover. "Matthew has great basketball knowledge and will be a great team player. Daviyon comes with size, length, and athleticism that will give us an option around the rim, and he can also step out and play on the perimeter. Ayden is a hybrid-type player who will play defense and score on offense when needed. Tyler brings his sharp shooting talents and will be a force on the outside."

Transfers include combo guards Malcolm Curry and Darian Leslie. Rounding out the team are freshmen Caleb Brown, guard; Kelvin Cotton-Cash, guard; Sir Cox, forward; Gavin Haynes, forward; Jagger Hutchins, forward; Cashawn (CP) Ingram, point guard; Chylan Ingram, forward; Frank Lathem, small forward/wing; Marquise Long, guard; and A'zon Steele, point guard.

The Chargers hosted Kellogg Community College at home in their first game of the season, which they won 97-72. They'll next host Parkland College on Wednesday, November 5, before traveling for their first conference match of the season, facing Wayne County Community College on Saturday, November 8.

Joining Vanover in leading the men's team are Assistant Coaches Marcus Bixler and Mark Eustache and Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Corey Steinke.

Bixler enters his first on the Edison State men's basketball staff, bringing over 20 years of coaching experience. He's been an assistant coach at Piqua High School for four years, and he previously spent 14 years as a head coach leading programs at Piqua, Tipp City, Franklin Monroe, and Arcanum high schools. Bixler also served two years as an assistant coach at Bluffton University.

Eustache has been with the Chargers program for seven years. He played for the Chargers in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Prior to coaching with the Chargers, Eustache coached a homeschool team, the Miami Valley Saints, to a second-place finish in the nation in 2016. As a head coach, he compiled a 142-47 record over six years. He had a player go to Valpo, who is currently playing overseas professionally.

Steinke joins the Edison State men's basketball coaching staff for the second year. He brings 14 years of head basketball coaching experience, three years at Clark State and 11 years at Bethel High School and Dayton Public. Steinke enjoys working with basketball players to help fine-tune fundamentals to improve their already high level of play and drive.

Edison State's basketball teams compete in the OCCAC and are Division II members of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Visit athletics.edisonohio.edu for the latest news, upcoming games, and complete rosters.