Goetz enjoys banner night
ADAMS TWP — His 6-foot-8 frame ensures Josh Goetz of towering over most opponents, but his play is proving to be just as imposing.
In Mars' 72-34 boys basketball victory over Valley Friday, the senior center scored 13 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked five shots while not playing a full game.
Goetz started his junior season and put up 8.8 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, but according to Planets' coach Rob Carmody, he has refined his game since then.
“Prior to this season, his hands and body weren't always working together,” said Carmody. “The difference between Josh this time last year and now, it's just crazy. He is so long and athletic and moves so quickly for a big guy.”
And the results are showing on the court. Goetz is averaging a double-double and has scored in double digits in all four of Mars' games.
“I played AAU basketball over the summer, then in the fall league, I got a lot of work in with my teammates,” Goetz said. “I just focused on improving my post moves and even worked on shooting away from the basket.”
“We're watching him start to love to play the game more,” said Carmody. “As a coach, it's fun when you see the light bulb (turn on) for a kid.”
Goetz's size and talent give the Planets (3-1, 1-0) a unique advantage.
“He's a traditional, back-to-the-basket player,” said Carmody. “There are not many of them out there. And he makes free throws. He was (7-of-8) tonight.”
Goetz is young for a senior and will not celebrate his 18th birthday until May 20, prompting Carmody to say with a laugh, “I'm trying to get him a fifth year of eligibility, but that's not going to happen.”
Goetz is part of an eight-member senior class that, as juniors, helped Mars go 18-8 overall last season and make the state playoffs for the first time in school history.
“We've got a lot of experience back,” said Goetz. “There's definitely a feel on this team that it could be a special season for us. We believe we can do better than last year.”
VALLEY 34
Chaz Cheatham 2 2-2 6, Devin Whitman 3 0-0 8, Billy Clark 2 0-0 6, Mike McNabb 1 0-0 3, Caleb Davis 1 0-0 3, Tyler Gardlock 0 1-4 1, Jordan Frame 3 0-0 7. Totals: 12 3-6 34.
MARS 72
Garrett Ashbaugh 2 1-2 6, Matt Getsy 4 1-2 9, Josh Goetz 3 7-8 13, Mitch Buzard 6 3-4 17, Zach May 4 0-0 10, Alex Locher 3 0-0 7, Ben Erdahl 1 0-0 2, Ethan Lewis 3 1-2 8, Owen Nearhoof 0 0-0 0, Adam Bayuk 0 0-0 0, Nicholas DeCamp 0 0-0 0, Brett Kloc 0 0-0 0, Ryan Horan 0 0-0 0, Graham Easom 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26 13-18 72.
Valley 6 5 14 9—34
Mars21 23 20 8—72
3-point goals: Valley 7 (Whitman 2, Clark 2, McNabb, Davis, Frame); Mars 7 (Buzard 2, May 2, Locher, Lewis, Ashbaugh)
Wednesday: Montour at Mars
