By Stu Swartz
Plymouth might not always be the most talented high school boys basketball team in the Northern Lakes Conference.
But, the Pilgrims are annually among the more difficult to play against and defeat.
The 10-5 Pilgrims travel to Goshen on Friday for an NLC clash with the 6-8 and win-hungry Redskins. It’s the 64th game of the series.
Oddly, both teams’ most recent outings were against the Mishawaka Cavemen. Plymouth won, 58-50, last Saturday while Goshen dropped a 58-52 decision Tuesday — both at home.
GHS coach Brian Bechtel said, “We actually played pretty well offensively against Mishawaka. But, defensively we just weren’t in tune. We couldn’t combine defensive stops with converting scoring chances to have a chance at the end.
“Plymouth plays a lot of seniors who understand their roles, play very composed and don’t get rattled. They are a well-balanced team which like to put pressure on the ball.”
At Plymouth a year ago, the Pilgrims wiped out a big Goshen lead to win 42-39 in overtime as Bo Davidson erupted for six 3-pointers late in the game including the game-winner in OT.
Davidson, a 5-11 senior, has connected 52 times from long range this season and 5-11 senior Todd Vervynckt 20.
Not even starting for Plymouth, but coming off the bench to fill vital roles are 6-2 senior Lenell Himes (IU football tight end signee) and 6-3 senior Curtis Ivy.
“Davidson is an outstanding shooter and Himes is difficult to control inside because of his size and agility,” said Bechtel.
“Coach (Kevin) Stuckmeyer played for Coach (Jack) Edison at Plymouth, so they are a team which still sets a lot of screens to get people open.
“Their defensive schemes force teams to make plays. Our guards must play with a lot of confidence in this game.
“We continue to look for weekly improvement from our team and saw some good things, individually, in the Mishawaka game.
“Defensively, we have to get back to doing things we were earlier in the season. That means fundamentals like reacting to passes, talking and anticipating.
“Our young players will make mistakes which veteran players don’t. We need to take better care of the ball, especially early in games, because those lead to transition baskets.”
Plymouth owns wins over Bremen 51-43, Rochester 59-57, Tippecanoe Valley 66-53, NorthWood 56-47, Whitko 65-43, DeKalb 55-46, Concord 50-47, Wawasee 74-60, Northridge 60-49 and Mishawaka.
Losses are to Triton 59-54, Peru 49-42, Carroll 53-40, Elkhart Memorial 48-44 and LaPorte 54-34.
Next week, Goshen visits Wawasee in Syracuse on Thursday night and East Noble in Kendallville on Saturday afternoon (JV start at 1).
That schedule is due to girls sectional action taking center stage Friday and Saturday nights.
