GOSHEN (Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008) – At many schools, the outlook could be bleak with only two returning letterwinners. Apparently, Couriers varsity basketball coach Chad Schrock does not feel this way. "This team has good chemistry. They seem to fit well together," says Schrock of the 2008-2009 squad.
Eight seniors, including 1,000-point-club member Todd Martin, and Aaron Eash have moved on from last year's 22-4 team. Senior forward Evan Stutzman and junior guard Dustin Yoder. Stutzman chalked up 8.2 points and 4.5 rebounds on 50% field-goal shooting (40% on 3s) as a starter while Yoder averaged 3 points. Yoder missed time to injury and played in only 10 games.
Schrock projects Stutzman and Yoder as starters for the opener with senior Jesse Yoder and juniors John Miller and Jordan Bontrager. Bontrager, listed at 6'3" last year, provides height that the Couriers have lacked the last two years. The Couriers have not had a six-footer on the roster since Shannon Beachy (6'2") in 2005-06.
Other varsity candidates for the upcoming season are seniors Dwylin Gingerich and T.J. Miller; juniors Atlee Bender and James Riegsecker; and sophomores Tyler Eash and Judson Yoder, a 6'4" forward.
The Couriers have strengthened their schedule this year with the addition of the Bethany Christian holiday tourney. Schrock expects it to be "tough." Other teams in the field are Bethany, Elkhart Christian and Lakeland Christian.
The Indiana Christian State Tournament Series (ICSTS) title may have a new champion with two-time defending champion Covenant Christian focusing on its transition to the IHSAA. The Couriers open in the #1 spot on the ICSTS Top Five with 2008 runner-up and December 6 foe Horizon Christian #2 and Trinity, a yearly rival, #4. To this end, Schrock says, "I am looking forward to a great year (of) trying to bring the state title back to CCS."
Bert Bontrager returns as the varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach.
The Couriers host the annual Alumni Jamboree tomorrow night.
Hamilton visits Clinton Saturday, November 29 at 6 pm to open the regular season.
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