While South Ripley perhaps was known as the area’s boys basketball team of the 80’s,the 1970’s was dominated by the Batesville Bulldogs and a part of that final group in1979 was Terry Giesting.

 

Finishing his senior year in 1979 as Batesville’s Co-Team MVP alongside Bill Wanstrath, Giesting helped pace Batesville to a 9-0 start during the 78-79 season, eventually finishing 18-5. That 18th victory, a one-point sectional championship win over Milan, solidified Giesting’s importance to the ball club and his performance for the week gave him Sectional MVP honors. While the Bulldogs would fall the following weekend in the regional semifinal to Lawrenceburg, Giesting’s final day in blue and white was enough to land him on the All-Regional Team.

 

In addition to his postseason honors, Giesting was an All-EIAC selection and averaged18 points per game for the final 15 games of the season including a career-high 31points at Lawrenceburg. His 201 rebounds averaged out to 9 boards per night and he was among area leaders with a 56 percent shooting clip from the field and an 82percent mark at the free throw line.

 

Majoring in Tool and Die, Giesting took his basketball talents to Jordan College in Cedar Springs, Mich. and was named Team MVP during his tenure, highlighted by a season in which the Suns finished 18-15 overall. Giesting that year averaged 15 points per game and led the team in scoring and rebounding.

 

Giesting returned to Batesville after college and has been a staple in the community ever since, having coached youth basketball at St. Louis and Batesville while raising his sons, Tyler and Chris. He also initiated the Batesville Basketball Alumni Golf Outing beginning in 2012 and most recently joined the Ripley County Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors in 2022. He currently serves as vice-president of the board and maintains the organization’s website and annual visual presentations.

 

Terry is currently employed at Batesville Tool and Die where he has been employed since his college graduation. He has worked in roles as a designer and Continuous Improvement Manager.