A very impressive effort on the defensive end and some sharp execution on offense were key components as the Goshen Redskins defeated the DeKalb Barons, 48-37, in a high school boys basketball game Saturday night at GHS.

The Redskins held the Barons to seven points in the first period. DeKalb didn’t score again until 6:35 of the third quarter.

“Our defense was really good in the first half,” Goshen coach Brian Bechtel said. “We caught some breaks in the first half like (6-4 DeKalb senior Mitch) Beerbower getting in foul trouble.”

Goshen improves to 5-0. The Redskins begin Northern Lakes Conference play Friday by hosting the Northridge Raiders. DeKalb falls to 3-2.

DeKalb, after missing all eight of its field goal attempts in the second period, caught fire in the third by drilling 9 of 12. The Barons came all the way back and tied the score 28-28 with 1:13 left in the period on a pair of free throws by 6-2 junior Jonathan Haggarty.

“We told the kids at halftime DeKalb was going to make a run at us,” Bechtel said. “We let them get the ball down too low. They had high percentage shots then.”

Goshen then got one of its bigger baskets when 6-2 junior Marshall Crawford nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the third quarter horn to give his team a 31-28 advantage.

“That was a set play, but we usually don’t get that look off it,” Bechtel said. “Ryan Bartley (6-0 senior) made a great read to find Crawford. It was important to get that basket and keep the lead after a quarter when we struggled.”

Goshen increased the lead to 33-28 following a Crawford steal and layin by Bartley at 7:30 of the fourth. Crawford added another basket at 6:48 and the Redskins were up 35-28.

“Crawford is very offensive minded. He is a threat anywhere on the court,” Bechtel said. “He hit a couple of huge shots for us. The thing is he is very physical and loves to play defense also.”

Baron coach Joe Bradburn said, “This was a battle of two teams that like to play defense. Brian (Bechtel) has his kids playing with passion and purpose. They have the skill level to compete with some of the teams on their schedule.

“Goshen’s offense is working well. They challenged our defense and attacked us by getting some layins.

“Crawford saved them with that ‘3.’ Then Goshen got the first couple of baskets to start the fourth quarter.”

Crawford topped the Redskins with 13 points, followed by 6-2 junior Ethan Hussey 12, Bartley 10, 5-10 senior Josh Randall eight and 6-6 senior Nathan Stegelmann five.

“One of the factors I like about this team is the multiple scorers,” Bechtel said. “Cam Snyder (6-1 senior) is our leading scorer. He doesn’t score tonight and we still win.

“Cam didn’t get many looks. Marshall stepped up and Randall hit a couple of big ‘3s.’

“Bartley is the guy who gets overlooked. He does the intangible things that don’t show up in the boxscore. Point guards don’t get a lot of recognition, but as a former point guard I realize the things he does for us.

“Bartley was the one that got us under control in the fourth quarter. I told him once he broke the press to pull the ball back out and get it under control. That is what he did.”

Beerbower netted 11 points and Haggarty 10 to lead the Barons.

“I feel really good about this win, because DeKalb is a good program,” Bechtel said. “Since Coach Bradburn has taken over the program we had lost three straight to them.”

Junior Varsity

The Goshen JV also improved to 5-0 with a 49-31 victory. Goshen trailed 16-9 after one period before leading 24-21 at halftime and 33-22 after three quarters.

Goshen sophomore Taylor Kolbus scored 12 points, juniors Brock Bender and Andrew Bowers both nine, junior Alex Aguilar eight, sophomore Jon Good seven and junior Scott Landis four. Freshman Ryan Boester topped DeKalb with 12.

Respond: (574) 533-2151, ext. 326

greg.keim@goshennews.com