Goshen News, Goshen, IN

Breaking News

Sports

Related Photos

  • Bethany Christian boys basketball coach Jim Buller, center, is doused by his team with water after the Bruins defeated Howe School, 54-45 Thursday night at the Menno Lands. It was Buller’s 365th victory in 34 seasons at the school, setting a new record for Elkhart County boys basketball coaches. DAVID VANTRESS | THE GOSHEN NEWS

    121207 bethany bbb buller WEB.jpg

  • Bethany Christian's Sol Brenneman goes up for a layup Thursday night against Howe School. DAVID VANTRESS | THE GOSHEN NEWS

    121207 bethany bbb bereneman WEB.jpg
December 7, 2012

PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Milestone achieved

Bethany’s Buller new all-time county wins leader

By DAVID VANTRESS THE GOSHEN NEWS

GOSHEN — Over 34 years as Bethany Christian boys basketball coach, Jim Buller has seen a lot of wins and almost as many losses.

But in the annals of Elkhart County boys basketball, it’s the wins Buller will now be best known for: Thursday night at the Menno Lands, Buller’s Bruins bested visiting Howe School, 54-45 — notching Buller’s 365th career victory and moving him into sole possession of the all-time mark for wins by a boys basketball coach. Entering the 2012-13 season, Buller had been tied with John Longfellow, who was 364-163 in four seasons at Nappanee and 19 at Elkhart.

After the game, a humble Buller deflected much of the praise for the milestone achievement.

“I’m thankful to the school that has allowed to me to do this for more than 30 years, and to the many players who have come through the program during that time,” Buller said.

Buller added that he still keeps in touch with many of those players.

Thursday night, the Bruins (1-3) found themselves in unfamiliar territory so far in 2012-13: Protecting a lead.

Bethany led much of the way and was up 21-18 at intermission.

The Bruins got out to a 30-20 advantage early in the third, but could not seem to put away a pesky Howe squad until the closing minutes.

Sol Brenneman led the Bruins with 20 points. Caleb Morris added 13.

Arnas Zabarauskas led the Wildcats (1-3) with 14 points.

Brenneman said he and his teammates were thrilled to be the team that got their coach the milestone victory.

“It’s a really special thing,” Brenneman said. “We have been working on coming together as a team, and I think we did some of that tonight.”

Buller concurred.

“We’ve been trying to grow up, and gain some confidence,” Buller said. “A game like this can help a team do that.”

As for the coaching milestone, Buller said “four or five” games have stood out over the years.

Interestingly enough, he said one of those was a devastating loss — a four-OT heartbreaker to NorthWood in the Goshen Sectional, back in the glory days of the single-class tournament.

Buller added that he is glad the record is behind him. Now, he, his staff and team can focus completely on the task at hand: Coming together as a team over the next few months.

“This group can get better as the year goes on,” Buller said.

Buller added that he is taking his coaching gig on a year-to-year basis for now.   

 

Text Only
Sports
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
AP Video
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day' Jersey Shore Open for Business Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Poll

The U.S. Census Bureau reported last week that Goshen’s population increased to 32,064 in 2012. It’s the first time the city has eclipsed 32,000 residents. Do you think population growth is good for the city?

Yes, having more people increases the tax base and strengthens the community
No, continual growth has made for overcrowding in schools and overwhelmed infrastructure.
     View Results