ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ANDREW OTTOSON
The Goessel boys’ basketball team returns three starters and four letter-winners to a squad that went 17-7 last season. Pictured are: back row (from left), senior Jordan Voth, senior Nathan Amstutz, junior Nathan Ensz and senior Garrett Hiebert; front row, seniors Brett Goerzen, Travis Buller and Sheldon Goerzen. “Many of the seniors played as freshmen and made a strong run last year,” said coach Justin Coup. “We should be very experienced.”
With seven players back from the 2005-06 season, the Goessel High boys’ basketball team is aiming to build on the positives that have carried over from previous seasons.
“Many of the seniors played as freshmen and made a strong run last year,” coach Justin Coup said.
It helps to have three returning senior starters.
Garrett Hiebert, a 6-feet, 3-inch forward, averaged 13.5 points per game last season. Hiebert was also effective crashing the boards, and pulled down 7.8 rebounds per game.
Those numbers earned Goessel’s front court scoring presence a first-team all-Heart of America league selection.
Goessel also has two dynamic seniors returning to start in its back court: 5-10 point guard Travis Buller and 6-3 shooting guard Jordan Voth.
Buller’s basketball skills and understanding of his role working within the Bluebirds’ offense last season show up in two statistics: the 7.1 points per game he scored, and the 4.1 assists he set up with crisp passes.
Voth brought elements of size and quickness to the GHS hardwood, and earned an honorable mention from the all-HOA selectors.
Voth scored 11.0 points per game and dealt out 1.7 assists on an average outing; he also averaged 2.4 rebounds.
In addition to having three senior starters back, GHS will have four experienced competitors competing for the remaining spots in the starting lineup.
“I look for many contributors this year as we should be a very deep team with many strengths,” Coup said.
Brett Goerzen and Sheldon Goerzen are both guards.
Brett Goerzen plays with guile on defense, and came up with 2.6 steals; he is also a capable ball handler on offense who fired off 3.1 assists and 4.0 points per game.
Sheldon Goerzen can give the team a taller look along the perimeter, and averaged 1.2 points per game in limited action.
Nathan Ensz is the team’s top junior in more ways than one. The 6-7 center was an imposing presence in the paint at both ends of the court last year.
With 2.1 blocks per game and 5.0 rebounds, Ensz was a big factor in Goessel’s schemes for stopping opponents, and the center scored 7.1 points at the other end.
“We should be very experienced,” Coup said.
With an opportunity to build on a 17-7 season and an 8-3 record in the HOA, Coup expresses tempered hope that the team will move up the HOA standings.
“We have a chance to accomplish many goals, but how we accept various roles will determine how far this team could go,” he said.
To improve on its fourth place league finish, Coup expects GHS will face a stiff challenge from foes such as Remington, Inman and Sedgwick.
