Terren Ward set for new start in the SEC with Mississippi State
Over the last four years, Terren Ward has been among the best players on the floor every night.
A Georgia Southern standout averaged 16.5 points a game during her time with the Eagles. She was the Freshman of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference, Sixth Woman of the Year in 2022 and First-Team All-Sun Belt the last two seasons.
As dominant as Ward has been, she wanted a new challenge for her final year in college hoops. The loss of head coach Anita Howard to Mississippi State as an assistant opened that door for her new start in Starkville. Now, Ward joins Howard and former teammate Kayla Thomas in maroon and white this season.
“It’s been challenging. I was D-1 already, but never Power 5 and it’s a whole different level. The speed of the game, the plays, everything. Everybody on this team is good,” Ward said.
“Having my old teammate and my old coach with me make it a little easier. Coach Howard is like my best friend so any time I’m down she picks my head up. Kayla is a lot like that too so it’s been good to have people to lean on.”
Ward brings a load of production with her to Starkville
The year-to-year progression of Ward’s career has been steady. Her Sun Belt Freshman of the Year season saw her average 7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 22 ball games. She jumped up to 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds with a career-high 2.1 assists in 2021-22 as the Sun Belt’s Sixth Woman of the Year.
Becoming more of a full-time starter as a junior, Ward averaged 18.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals a contest. Last season, Ward nearly averaged a double-double with her 22.0 points per game, 9.1 rebounds and made 80% of her free throws.
Ward’s big season had her getting offers from around the country and included in that grouping was her home state Georgia Bulldogs. Before making her decision, she would come check out Starkville and what Sam Purcell had to offer. She ended her recruitment after that trip.
“The coaching staff and the fanbase were the reason I came here,” Ward said. “I love how energetic coach Sam is. He’s going to keep it real. He’s not going to sugarcoat it; he’s going to tell you exactly how it is.
“Also, I knew that I wanted to pick a school with a great fanbase. Coming from a place where women’s basketball didn’t really matter, I wanted to pick a school where they actually loved women’s basketball. Even before my visit, the fans were tagging me on Twitter and were so excited.”
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Ward is a part of a team that is just about as fresh as it can get. Jerkaila Jordan, Quanirah Montague and Debreasha Powe return as the only production from last year’s team and the rest of the squad is made up of transfers and freshmen.
In just a month, Ward reports that she’s already built bonds like she’s never had before. Her Bulldog team has already gotten close before the season has begun.
“I wasn’t really close to my old teammates so coming here, it’s a loving and family environment. Everybody gets along here and that’s been great,” Ward said. “I love the coaching staff, too. Everybody is so cool and relaxed and supportive.”
In just a few short months, Ward will have a chance to suit it up and play out a dream of playing inside the SEC.
The 5’11 guard brings some intensity on defense and the ability to score the ball at all three levels. Her career 36% 3-point shooting and 77% free throw shooting gives the Bulldogs a lift in that regard.
“I’m looking forward to playing the best conference in the world in the SEC,” Ward said. “I don’t know a lot of players in this league so it’s going to be good for me to be locked in on the game plan. I’m ready to show everybody I belong.”
