Goodrich’s varsity boys basketball team will undergo on-the-job training this season.
The Martians lost 11 seniors from last year’s team which finished in second place in the Genesee Area Conference Red Division and went 15-7 before being eliminated by Flint Powers in their district final game.
Among those graduated players were first team All-GAC Red selection Michael Skinner, along with Kirk Elsworth (second team All-League), Craig VanWagoner and Andy Klumpp (both honorable mention All-League).
Goodrich coach Gary Barns said only two returning players, Eric Hughes and Zac Glynn, received any significant playing time last season. They are joined on this year’s team by seniors Dustin McCormick, Frank Rogers, Ross Gauthier and Duane Engleman and juniors Derrick Schroeder, Dan Johns and Chad Marler.
In addition, Barns said he hopes three players who saw significant time on last year’s junior varsity ? Matt Christensen, Jake Smigiel and Ty Purdy ? to contribute to the varsity this season.
The Martians tested their skills in scrimmages Nov. 25 against Linden and Clio, and Nov. 26 against Holly, Troy, Rochester Stoney Creek and Swartz Creek.
‘We have a lot of room to get better,? Barns said. ‘We don’t have a lot of experience and height.?
On the flip side, Barns said the team has a good attitude and is in ‘pretty decent condition.? He also said the team’s shooting ability and quickness will be assets this season.
‘They work hard and they want to make their mark,? he said.
The Martians will have two early opportunities to see where they’re at, as they travel to Brandon Dec. 6 for a matchup between neighboring schools, then return home Friday, Dec. 9 for their first GAC Red Division game of the year against Montrose. The Rams beat out Goodrich by one game for the division title last season.
Although he knows it’s a term that’s been used plenty of times before, Barns said the Martians plan to tackle the upcoming season by taking things one game at a time.
‘Because no one expects us to do anything, we’ve adopted that approach,? he said. ‘We want to play hard and get better each game.?
As far as the GAC Red Division is concerned, Barns expects plenty of teams to be in the hunt for the title, listing Montrose, LakeVille, Lake Fenton and Byron as title contenders.
‘There’s no clear-cut favorite in the division,? he said.
Things won’t get any easier for the Martians when they take on foes from the Genesee Area Conference Blue Division. Barns said Hamady, Bendle, Bentley and New Lothrop will all field strong teams this year.
‘You can’t take anyone lightly in this league,? he said.