Redskins rumble over Minutemen

By STU SWARTZ
Goshen News Sports Editor

January 04, 2008 11:35 pm

— A super start Friday night kept Goshen High School’s boys basketball Redskins unbeaten on the road so far this season.
The Redskins sprinted to a 20-4 lead in the first 12:15 and cruised to a 55-39 Northern Lakes Conference win at Concord’s McCuen Gym over a young team of Minutemen.
Goshen, with its first win at McCuen since 1998, improved to 8-2 overall and 1-1 in the NLC. The Redskins, 4-0 away and 4-2 at home, face their toughest road test yet next Friday night when they visit the Warsaw Tigers.
“We felt it was important to have a good start, especially on the road against a young team like Concord,” said GHS coach Brian Bechtel.
“In all eight games we have won, we have been happy with our defensive effort and communication. Our JV kids weren’t doing that earlier in the evening and our varsity players took notice.
“When we play good defense like that, it makes us click better offensively. Concord had a poor shooting night, but we had hands in their faces for a lot of those misses.”
Cam Snyder, 6-1 Redskin senior, had his shooting touch going from the corners and scored 12 points to share game honors with 6-0 senior Ryan Bartley.
Josh Randall, 5-10 senior, came off the bench to contribute 10 points and five rebounds. He didn’t miss a shot, hitting two 3-pointers and four free throws.
Marshall Crawford, 6-2 junior, had nine points and seven rebounds while 6-6 senior Nathan Stegelmann scored eight points.
Ethan Hussey, 6-2 junior, was limited to one 3-pointer as he was in foul trouble all night.
Redskin reserves saw plenty of action with 6-4 sophomore Taylor Kolbus scoring a point.
Hussey and Bartley were both credited with three assists, Hussey three steals and Bartley two.
“Hussey was having a tough night due to fouls, so we challenged Snyder to look for his shot,” said Bechtel. “Cam has a tendency to pass the ball more, but he has a great stroke from 15 feet and that’s a lost art in basketball with the 3-pointer.
“We had 10 guys in the game by halftime and that should help for the rest of the season. With our aggressive defense, we do pick up some fouls so the depth is important.
“When Concord started to press early, we made a couple mistakes but started attacking and scoring off their defense.”
Concord coach Ryan Culp said, “Goshen proved how strong they are and looked like an 8-2 team. They executed their offense, rebounded well and knocked down some shots.
“We got a little frustrated in the first half, rushing some shots and losing focus.
“In the second half, our kids came out and gave a good effort. They were attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line. We just couldn’t stop Goshen. They have four or five guys capable of scoring this season.
“Stegelmann is tough inside and, when you try to stop him, they have others who can score from the perimeter.
“Brady Moss (6-2 senior) gave us a huge spark off the bench. You can see his confidence building and our confidence in him builds.”
Moss led the Minutemen with 10 points while another reserve, 6-4 junior Ryan Kohn, scored nine. Ja Vontae Hence, 5-8 junior, led the CHS starters with six and 6-4 junior David House was the top rebounder with seven.
Crawford scored seven points in the opening period as Goshen flashed to a 10-4 lead.
A 10-point run, capped by Hussey’s ‘3’ from the top of the circle, pushed the score to 20-4 with 3:43 remaining in the second period.
Stegelmann scored all eight of his points in the second quarter as the Goshen lead grew to 29-12 by intermission.
Snyder, scoreless at halftime, scored six points in the third stanza and six more in the fourth. He was 5-for-7 from the field in the second half.
Goshen’s biggest lead of the night was at 47-25 with 5:39 to play. The Minutemen enjoyed a 12-3 scoring run to get within 50-37 at 1:11 but could get no closer.
Concord hosts South Bend Clay on Tuesday and visits Plymouth next Friday.
Junior Varisty
Goshen’s JV, despite its shaky start, bounced back for a 52-30 victory over the young Minutemen. The Redskins are now 10-0.
Sophomore Taylor Kolbus scored 15 points for GHS and sophomore Michael Ciesielski nine. Sophomore Chaunsey Fox netted 10 and sophomore Jordan Haitsma nine for 2-7 Concord.