Their season may have ended on a down note, but the Goodrich girls basketball team still has a lot to look forward to next season.
The Martians ended their season Nov. 21 with a 57-50 loss to host Mt. Clemens in a Class B district final. However, Goodrich still managed a stellar 19-4 record (good for an .826 winning percentage), and won the Genesee Area Conference Red Division championship.
Coach Jason Gray said the Martians made too many costly mistakes, such as turnovers, missed shots, and lost rebounds, against Mt. Clemens.
‘You can’t do that on the road in the district finals and expect to win,? he said.
Still, he said the team has a lot to be proud of.
‘I think we had a great year,? he said. ‘Expectations were a little lower this year because we lost so many people from last year’s team. To accomplish the things we did, I’m very happy with how the season went.?
The Martians will lose five seniors from this year’s team: Jacci Brothers, Andrea Tubbs, Shannon Harbin, Kristan Childress and Jacqui Cornwell.
However, Goodrich also returns an experienced core that will only benefit from this year’s accomplishments.
Leading next year’s bunch will be Nykole Pfaff, who made first-team All-GAC Red this season, and Maribeth Barns and Michelle Elliott, each of whom made the all-league second team.
Joining that group are Julie Owen, Ellen Nothhelfer, Tara Garman, and Andrea Howell.
Gray said the returning players will each work on individual aspects of their games in the offseason. In particular, he hopes they improve their shooting, quickness and speed.
The Martians can expect to receive strong reinforcements from a junior varsity team that went 19-1 this season. Gray said some of this year’s JV players will be making contributions to next year’s varsity.
‘I think we have a strong outlook for next season,? Gray said. ‘The majority of the returning players got a good opportunity to play this season. They were a big part of this year’s success. I really think we have an opportunity to have an even better season than we had this year.?