In the past, Goodrich varsity boys basketball coach Gary Barns has said it’s tough to beat the same team three times in one year.
That adage was proven true in the Martians? district semifinal game against Genesee Area Conference Red Division rival Montrose March 11 at Mt. Morris.
The Martians, who had defeated the Rams twice in the regular season ? including the regular season finale March 5 at Goodrich ? could never get untracked against their division foes, as the Rams pulled off a 79-58 upset.
The Martians finished their season with a record of 14-8.
‘As good as we played against LakeVille (in the district opener March 9), that’s how well they (Montrose) played against us,? Barns said. ‘Their kids played tough. That night, they were the better team.
Montrose (3-18) was in control of the game from the start, taking a 15-7 lead after the first quarter and a 31-19 lead at halftime.
The Rams connected on seven 3-point shots, and were more aggressive in getting to the free throw line, converting on 24-of-34 attempts (70.6 percent), compared to 7-of-9 (77.8 percent) for Goodrich.
David Lenear led a pack of four Montrose players in double figures, scoring 23 points (including 9-of-12 from the free throw line). Adam Barber drilled four 3-pointers on his way to 18 points, while Tim Burnison added 13 points and Scott Gauger 12 for the Rams.
Junior Craig Van Wagoner scored 18 points to lead the Martians, while junior Michael Skinner added 10.
Despite the loss, the Martians received some positive news when four of their players made the All-Genesee Area Conference Red Division team.
Skinner was a unanimous selection to the all-league first team, while Van Wagoner and junior Kirk Elsworth made the all-league second team, and senior Max Bell earned honorable mention status.
The Martians will return most of this year’s cast next season, with only two players, Bell and Adam McAuliffe, graduating this year.
In addition, the Martians will welcome Keith Brotherton, a transfer student from Clio. Brotherton, a junior, transferred in January and was ineligible to play for the Martians this season.
‘We’re going to play a lot this summer,? Barns said. ‘I think basketball is alive and well in Goodrich. We think with his (Brotherton’s) addition, we’ll have a nice basketball team.?