Forward steps, if not giant ones, were taken by Goshen High School’s boys basketball Redskins during the 2007-08 season.

After capturing three of their last four games to conclude the previous campaign, the Redskins followed up with a 12-10 record for the program’s first winning season in five years.

They won their first five games, best GHS takeoff in 20 years; and became the first Redskin team in a decade to defeat Penn, Elkhart Central and Concord during the same regular season.

There were some injuries and illnesses, along with a couple “should have” or “could have” games, to somewhat dampen the latter part of the campaign, but it was still positive overall.

Brian Bechtel, completing his ninth season as Redskin head coach, said, “We accomplished our No. 1 goal of getting more wins than losses. There were a lot of high points which our players pointed out in their post-season summaries.

“Defeating Penn at home early in the season was certainly a highlight. That game was almost like a tournament atmosphere.

“I was proud the way our team came through that period of injuries and sickness. That was a pivotal moment when they could have folded, but stuck together and got that winning season.”

Within a few January-February days 6-2 junior Marshall Crawford sustained a season-ending knee injury; 5-10 senior Josh Randall endured a dislocated finger; 6-6 senior Nathan Stegelmann sprained an ankle; and 6-0 senior Ryan Bartley battled a nasty flu bug.

“We came through that period and played some good basketball, but lost to some good teams down the stretch,” said Bechtel.

“I think the success of this team goes back two summers when we changed some things both offensively and defensively. The kids committed to being better, had some success late last season and it carried over to this year.”

Seniors departing the program are Randall, Stegelmann, Bartley, 6-1 Cam Snyder, 6-1 Brad Sink and 5-10 Jordan Short.

Ethan Hussey, 6-2 junior, was the Skins’ leading scorer for a second straight year and Crawford was averaging near doubles figures before being sidelined with his knee injury.

Juniors Alex Aguilar and Brock Bender were also in the regular rotation while juniors Mac Hussey and Scott Landis, sophomores Taylor Kolbus and Andrew Bowers saw limited varsity action.

Goshen held opponents to 48.6 points per game and Bechtel said, “That shows how good you can be with solid team defense. The kids understand that good defense leads to better offense.

“This group played with much more confidence than any of our teams in the last five years and that shows up in the overall statistics.

“A huge key early in the season was having six guys on the floor capable of scoring double figures. That makes a team tough to defend.

“When Crawford went out, we lost some of that punch. He brought a mental tenacity to the team in both practice and games. He is very intent on coming back next season.”

One mystery about these Redskins was going 5-6 at home and 7-4 away.

The Skins shot 42.4 from the field overall, 33.1 on 3-pointers and 66.9 on free throws in 11 home games; 46.4 from the field overall, 37.9 on ‘3s’ and 76.2 on free throws in 11 road tests.

Goshen did have a very challenging home schedule with the likes of Penn, DeKalb, Northridge, Fairfield, Michigan City, Lakeland, NorthWood, Plymouth, Westview and South Bend St. Joseph’s all having solid seasons.

“This team was very unselfish and as close-knit of a unit as any I have coached,” said Bechtel. “That showed on the floor too.

“I’m most proud of our seniors. This was the first winning season most have experienced. They deserve credit for sticking with it and it’s good to see them rewarded.”

Goshen has the same opponents for the 2008-09 season. One change will be the GHS holiday tournament being all on a Saturday due to Christmas falling on Thursday.