Hawks women’s basketball guard TaNiya Jolly drives to the basket. Henry Ford College Hawks hosted St. Clair County Community College Skippers, Feb. 22, 2025. Dearborn, MI. Photos by Mirror News staff.

Henry Ford College’s women’s and men’s Hawks basketball teams hosted their annual “Hunger Games” fundraiser on Feb. 22. They played conference rival, the St. Clair Community College Skippers.

The “Hunger Games” is the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s annual non-perishable food collection competition among the state’s 24 participating community colleges. Last year, HFC was second in most donations for their Hunger Games, collecting over 400 pounds of food and over $500 for the college’s food pantry, the Hawks Nest. Thanks to the donations to the Hawks Nest, over 3,500 meals were delivered to families-in-need last year.

The afternoon began with the Hawks women’s basketball team playing the visiting Skippers. While the Hawks lost to the Skippers 43-80, the Hawks had the lead briefly in the first quarter and was competitive midway through the second quarter. HFC Athletics is just starting to rebuild the women’s team. The Hawks women played seven players compared to the Skippers who had twelve players. With the Hawks starters having to play nearly the entire game, lacking the number of the reserves of their rivals, the fatigue could clearly be seen, contributing to turnovers and missed baskets. The Skippers bench outscored the Hawks bench 33-8. The Skippers are third in the conference with a 10-2 record and overall record of 24-4, while the Hawks are currently in last place, with a conference record of 1-9 and overall record of 2-23. Makiya Duckett and Jada Parks each had 10 points for the Hawks, and Jannah “Gigi” Shahat added 9 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. TaNiya Jolly had 8 points and 7 rebounds, and Promise Dunbar contributed 6 points and 4 rebounds.

The Hawks men’s basketball team were victorious against the visiting Skippers 96-63. Currently, the Hawks men’s basketball team is ranked second in the conference with a 10-4 conference record. The team’s overall record is 20-7, including a 10-1 record at home. The Hawks men’s team has clinched a berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Great Lakes District tournament. Elijah (EJ) Roberts led all scorers with 17 points, followed by teammates Calvin Marshall, who had 16 points, and Shemarion Hardy, who contributed another 16 points and 6 assists and 5 rebounds.

Observing the end of their season, Hawks women’s basketball player, Jour’Nee Hyman-Moss, said, “I’m really excited, but also sad. It was bittersweet because we didn’t make the playoffs, but I’m really grateful for this year since I was able to improve my skills.” Despite the challenges this season, Hyman-Moss said, “I think I’m gonna stay here. I like the coaches and I like the program. They became like family to me, and they really helped me grow.”

Hyman-Moss was enthusiastic about the Hunger Games and collecting donations for the college’s food pantry, the Hawk’s Nest. She’d donated and said, “Especially as women, I’m glad that the Hawk’s Nest is able to provide for us and us also being able to give back. Even though we aren’t making it to the playoffs, at least we are able to give back to the community and that’s a really good thing that came out of this.”

Shaunie Marshall is nearing the end of her third year at Henry Ford College, but second year as head coach for the women’s basketball team. She’d begun her career with HFC as the assistant coach. “This is basically our rebuilding year,” Marshall said, “We are rebranding who Henry Ford women’s basketball is and who we are and what we stand for.” Marshall is proud of her players and for their part in helping to bring attention to the Hunger Games fundraiser. “Any small contribution means a lot,” she said.

HFC Associate Director of Athletics, Kirk Bradley, observed, “The thing about the Hunger Games is that it isn’t just athletics but also a real-life impact we are contributing to, and it’s great.” Bradley added, “The fact that we have a place on campus where if you are a student and you need something, you can just get it. Not every junior college has this amazing feature.”

Hawks men’s basketball players Omar Ziegler and EJ Roberts are grateful to be playing for Henry Ford College. Ziegler had been playing organized basketball since the age of five while Roberts had been playing since he was six. They are both content that they’d made it to the district playoffs but the ultimate goal for them is the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Division II Men’s Basketball Championship in Danville, IL.

When asked if they’d ever want to pursue professional basketball as a career, Ziegler replied, “I would love to. I mean that sounds really good.” Roberts said, “That’s a dream for sure. But after this, you know, we’re going to transfer to someplace else and wherever that path may lead we hope it’s all for the best.”

One of the goals for Ziegler is to make it on the wall in the Athletics building where there are photos of Hawks basketball players who made it to the national championship.

Roberts and Ziegler donated non-perishable food for the Hunger Games fundraiser. Ziegler said, “It’s a great event with a great purpose. We’ll just have to wait and see how many people actually donate.”

Roberts said, “It’s great to raise awareness and bring the community together and do things that other people can truly cherish.”

Information on the Hawk’s Nest is available at: hfcc.edu/student-services/hawks-nest.