On the surface, Goodrich’s varsity boys basketball game had a bad week.
In their Jan. 10 game at Byron, the Bulldogs pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 65-58 victory, the Martians? third straight loss. Goodrich is now 3-5 overall and 3-3 in Genesee Area Conference play.
However, Goodrich coach Gary Barns said the Martians were playing shorthanded against Byron, dressing only nine players.
Barns said the Martians competed hard and were actually ahead in the fourth quarter before Byron pulled away for the win.
‘The players gained experience and it will make them better in the long run,? he said ‘Our kids only turned the ball over 11 times. Our kids are working at it, but we’re dealing with inexperience. We lost the battle, but I think we won the war. We walked out of there with our heads held high.?
The two teams were tied at 12 at the end of the first quarter before the Martians, powered by Matt Christensen’s hot shooting, took a 30-26 lead at halftime. Christensen scored 14 points in the second quarter, connecting on four three-point shots in the process.
‘Matt’s come a million miles,? Barns said. ‘He’s done everything I’ve asked of him.?
However, Byron’s Justin Engleman helped the Bulldogs regain the lead in the third period, scoring nine of his 23 points in the third. Scott Cecil then scored seven of his 14 points in the fourth to help the Bulldogs put the game away.
Christensen led the Martians with 22 points, connecting on six three-pointers in the game. Jake McGinnis contributed a double-double for the Martians, scoring 11 points and pulling down a team-leading 12 rebounds, including six offensive boards.
Other key contributors for the Martians were Dan Johns (10 points, six rebounds) and Eric Hughes (who led the Martians with six assists).
Hamady’s one-two punch of Marcus Coleman and Monroe Murphy proved to be too much for the host Martians in their Jan. 6 matchup.
Coleman scored 21 points and Murphy added 19 as the Hawks defeated the Martians 65-50 in GAC action.
Christensen led the Martians in scoring with 14 points, while Zac Glynn added 13. McGinnis pulled down 10 rebounds, including three on the offensive end, to lead the Martians in that department.
Barns said the Martians have plenty of challenges ahead, but they continue to compete hard.
‘We don’t get any easy games, and no one feels sorry for us with our tradition,? he said. ‘They know it’s only a matter of time before we come back.?