(First of a Series)

There is one uncommon fact about the 2008-09 Bethany Christian High School boys basketball team.

According to long-time coach Jim Buller, this year’s team is bigger than normal. Six players on the roster are 6-2 or taller.

“This is a very unusual looking Bethany team. We have some size, but basketball is still about fundamentals,” said the coach who starts his 30th season at the school with a 314-314 career record.

Buller is the second winningest coach in Elkhart County boys basketball history behind John Longfellow (364-163 in four seasons at Nappanee and 19 at Elkhart).

Bethany begins the season at Westview on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

The Bruins have eight letterwinners back from last season’s 11-11 squad.

“We are a bit ahead of where we were a year ago at this point,” Buller said. “One reason is we have a lot of varsity experience. Another is team chemistry. Most of the guys played together this fall on the school’s soccer team.”

Last season’s top two scorers — 6-3 junior forward Seth Kauffman (258 points) and 6-4 senior forward Mark DeLeeuw (251) — lead the returnees.

“They are keys for our season. We need them to play quite a few minutes,” Buller said.

Other senior letterwinners are 5-10 guard Jordan Weaver (120), 6-1 guard Luke Slagel (54), 6-2 forward Tim Gautsche (14) and 6-2 senior forward Derek Plaster (7). Additional juniors are 5-10 guard Jesse Ramer (35) and 5-9 guard Mikey Kelley (2).

“Weaver is a two-year starter at point guard,” Buller said. “Slagel and Ramer are both good shooters. We are probably going to run a three-guard offense most of the time, but there are also going to be times when we have three big guys on the floor.”

Also on the roster are 6-2 senior Jared Christophel (2), 5-7 sophomore Ben Bontreger and 6-7 sophomore Hamilton Thorne.

“Thorne is going to split time between the JV and varsity,” Buller said. “He is probably our most improved player over the summer.”

Losses to graduation were Stephen Pettifor (213) and Jordan Shetler (124).

“Pettifor (29 made 3-pointers) and Shetler (9) were our top two outside shooters, so that could be a concern for this year’s squad,” Buller said. “We have some guys who look good in practice from the outside, now we need to see if they can do it during games.”

One change to the Bethany schedule has Lakewood Park of Auburn replacing Northridge.

“Lakewood is in our sectional and their 6-5 post player Tommy Strine is probably one of the better players in the sectional field,” Buller said.

Besides Westview, the Bruins have early season dates with Prairie Heights, Lakeland and Westview.

Former Bethany boys coach and long-time athletic director Dan Bodiker is now a varsity assistant along with former Goshen College player Chad Stoltzfus.

“Chad wants to get into coaching,” Buller said. “He brings a great knowledge of the game.”

Bethany schedule

Bethany schedule

Nov. 25 — Westview T

Nov. 29 — West Noble H

Dec. 5 — Prairie Heights H

Dec. 12 — Lakewood Park H

Dec. 13 — Lakeland T

Dec. 20 — Bethany Holiday tourney

Jan . 6 — Bremen H

Jan. 9 — Argos T

Jan. 10 — FW Canterbury T

Jan. 16 — Howe Military H

Jan. 24 — Triton H

Jan. 27 — Hamilton H

Jan. 31 — FW Blackhawk T

Feb. 6 — Elkhart Christian T

Feb. 13 — Granger Christian T

Feb. 17 — Jimtown H

Feb. 21 — LaVille T

Feb. 24 — Central Noble T

Feb. 27 — Fremont H

Mar. 2-7 — 1A Sectional

BRUINS ROSTER FOR 2008-09

Player, position Ht. Class

Jared Christophel, forward 6-2 Senior

xMark DeLeeuw, forward 6-4 Senior

xTim Gautsche, forward 6-2 Senior

xDavid Plaster, forward 6-2 Senior

xLuke Slagel, guard 6-1 Senior

xJordan Weaver, guard 5-10 Senior

xSeth Kauffman, forward 6-3 Junior

xMikey Kelly, guard 5-9 Junior

xJesse Ramer, guard 5-10 Junior

Ben Bontreger, guard 5-7 Soph.

Hamilton Thorne, forward 6-7 Soph.

x—Denotes lettermen.

Head coach: Jim Buller, (314-314 in 29 seasons).

Assistants: Chad Stoltzfus, Dan Bodiker, Barry Johnson, David Plaster.