ANGOLA, Ind. - During his time as a basketball player at St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio, Trine senior guard Tarvis Malone was no stranger to accepting a challenge.
For the past 36 years, head coach Ed Heintschel's Titans have built a winning reputation as well as preparing young men to succeed at the collegiate level. To go along with 648 career wins, coach Heintschel has produced 19 NCAA Division I Players and numerous others that have enjoyed great playing careers across the collegiate ranks, including Malone.
"Coach Heintschel taught me how to fight through adversity and not back down from anyone," Malone said of his time in a Titan uniform.
Malone's high school teammates included future college players Austin Gardner (Findlay), Jeff Copeland (Walsh), Nick Felhaber (Ohio Wesleyan), Anthony Glover (Chicago State) and current Ohio State Buckeye and 2013 Ohio Mr. Basketball Marc Loving.
"There were guards ahead of me that were more experienced and athletic, but I never gave up during practice or games," said Malone. "Coach Heintschel even mentioned at our banquet when I earned my first varsity letter that he never thought I would ever play, but I found a way."
Malone's competitive spirit was the first thing that caught Trine head men's basketball coach Brooks Miller's eye back in 2011 when he saw Malone competing in a summer league game against cross-town rival Toledo Central Catholic.
"They were playing in a back gym where the temperature felt like it was 150 degrees and Tarvis was the hardest-playing young man on the floor," said Miller. "You could just see how important winning that game was to him. I remember turning to [Trine assistant] coach [Kyle] Lindsay and saying that this is our type of guy."
Malone brought that competitive chip on his shoulder with him to Trine, where he has played a vital role in the growth of the Thunder program throughout his career. Malone earned his reputation as a three-point specialist last season, coming off the bench to make nearly 43 percent of this three-point attempts. He also shot 92 percent from the free throw line.
After earning an expanded role as a starter to begin his senior season, Malone helped the team to a 2-0 record after victories over Heidelberg and North Park. In those two games, the senior is averaging 10 points in 33 minutes, while continuing his pace of 43 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
When asked to comment about his experience as a student athlete here at Trine, Malone says with no hesitation, "I have had some of the best moments of my life here at Trine. Just being around my teammates on and off the court and developing friendships outside of basketball have definitely made my years here memorable."
"To be given an opportunity to have another four years of basketball with a coaching staff that pushes you to the limit on and off court is a blessing," said Malone. "Coach Miller's attitude and words will always be instilled in my mind because he always incorporates life into any basketball circumstance. One saying I will never forget, 'There is always a play to be made.'"
Malone will graduate this spring with a degree in criminal justice. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who worked as a detective for the Toledo Police Department.
