Published: December 30, 2007 12:24 am         

Stegelmann leads GHS over Lakeland

Whatever shooting woes the Goshen Redskins had Friday night, they got corrected by Saturday evening.

The Redskins were 23 of 34 for 67.6 percent during a 61-45 win over the Lakeland Lakers in the consolation game of the 42nd Goshen High School boys basketball holiday tournament.

“We came out from the start and attacked the basket,” Redskin coach Brian Bechtel said. “By doing so, we got closer shots and that relieved some of the pressure. We wanted to go after Lakeland inside because we had a height advantage.”

Goshen used its advantage as 6-6 senior Nathan Stegelmann scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half and the Redskins opened a 28-17 lead.

“I challenged Stegelmann to dominate the game inside,” Bechtel added. “He did that and has been doing it for the last few games. When we get a good mix of inside and outside scoring, we are a tougher team to defend.”

Stegelmann was 9 of 9 shooting.

Goshen (7-2) visits Concord and Lakeland (5-4) travels to West Noble, both on Friday, Jan. 4.

“Goshen played good and did what they wanted to do,” Lakeland coach Tim Sirk said. “Our defense had been good so far this season, but it wasn’t tonight. Goshen had a lot of layups and that makes your percentage go up.

“We didn’t quit and I’m proud of that. We just never got into a flow on offense.”

Ethan Hussey, 6-2 junior, netted 15 points for Goshen, 6-2 junior Marshall Crawford nine, 6-0 senior Ryan Bartley seven and 6-1 senior Cam Snyder six.

Hussey had six rebounds, Crawford and Stegelmann both four as Goshen outrebounded the Lakers 23-9.

Lakeland didn’t have many chances for rebounds. Goshen was 13 of 17 shooting in the first half and one of the misses was tipped in by Hussey.

“I have been happy with our blocking out all year,” Bechtel said.

Josh Randall, 5-10 senior, had three assists for the Redskins, Bartley two and Snyder two steals.

The Lakers were led in scoring by 5-10 senior Kyle Witham with 21 points. He was 9 of 10 from the free-throw line.

“Lakeland is hard to defend,” Bechtel said. “They have good shooters and Witham can penetrate like no other player we have seen this season.

“This was a good win for us. We had some breakdowns on defense, but overall it was pretty good. We did more reaching than trying to shut things down.”

Doug Bontrager, 6-2 senior, scored five points against Goshen after leading the Lakers with 17 on Friday.

“Doug was in foul trouble and we are a different team when he is on the bench,” Sirk said.

Respond: (574) 533-2151, ext. 326 greg.keim@goshennews.com