Goshen, IN — Looking to build on a 2006-2007 recruiting class that produced the Mid-Central Conference Newcomer of the Year (click here for related article), the Goshen College men’s basketball program announced the signing of 2007 Zeeland West High School (Zeeland, Mich.) graduate Taylor TenHarmsel on Wednesday, the team’s first addition in the spring recruiting period.
Goshen acquires a strong, 6-7, 230-pound post player in TenHarmsel, as the self-described “blue collar” player helped Zeeland West to a 33-12 overall record in his final two seasons while averaging 7.4 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. Those numbers came mostly against Michigan High School Athletic Association Class B competition, the state’s second-largest class by school enrollment.
“I have watched Taylor play since last summer and I have always seen him play extremely hard every time,” said Stan Daugherty, Goshen head coach. “He runs the floor hard and he is a great teammate. He is very young for his class and I think in two or three years he will be a very good post man in our league. He is an outstanding student and his personality will be an asset to our team. Taylor's best days of basketball are definitely ahead of him and we are glad that he chose Goshen College to continue his career.”
TenHarmsel shot over 50 percent from both the floor and the three-point arc during his varsity career, and led his prep team in blocked shots as both a junior and senior. He tallied a season-highs 16 points against Forest Hills Eastern High School on Dec. 8 of his senior year, and recorded a double-double against Hudsonville High School on Feb. 6, charting 12 points and 11 rebounds, his highest carom total of the year.
“Taylor is a kid who is defined by his work ethic,” said John Mielke, Zeeland West head boys’ basketball coach. “He’s not a great athlete, but no one outworks him. He leads by example and gets the absolute most out of his abilities. He’s a solid defender, an excellent passer and he will be a captain at Goshen before he’s done, I can almost guarantee that. Not a lot of kids like to be the lunch pail type of guy, but Taylor absolutely loves it. He doesn’t need his ego stroked and he doesn’t need the ball to help his team. He’s not going to score 20 points a night, but you know exactly what you’re going to get from him: An all-out effort each and every play. He’s going to be a very hard player to replace here.”
TenHarmsel chose the Leafs’ program over Calvin College, Hope College and Concordia University, and plans to study either computer science or business once at Goshen. Maintaining a 3.57 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, TenHarmsel currently ranks 37th out of his class of 175 academically.
“I felt really comfortable around the coaching staff and players at Goshen, and I felt like I could fit in really well there,” TenHarmsel said. “Goshen has a small-community feel to it, kind of like the town I live in. It’s not huge, but has a lot of things you’d find in a big city. It felt a lot like home.”
A solid golfer as well, TenHarmsel will participate on the Goshen College men’s golf team in the fall. He carded a career-best 36 on nine holes of competition as a junior, and averages drives of 275 yards off the tee.
“I hope to bring a lot of energy to the basketball team, both on and off the court,” he said. “I want to have a contagious work ethic, and I want to be the type of player that other guys like having go to work with them.”
Mielke agreed with that notion.
“We’re really excited for Taylor here,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for him to carry on his basketball career at a great academic school. Taylor is a glue-piece, and there’s a real talent to being a great teammate. Goshen will be better off having him as part of all they do.”
Daugherty said the program plans to announce additional recruit signings in the coming days. Check back to this website for the most up-to-date signing information. To contact Stan Daugherty, call him at (574) 535-7493 or click here to send him an email.
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Taylor TenHarmsel