By Chelsea Belanger
Staff Writer
As a freshman on the Goodrich Varsity Basketball team, Andrew Patrick was named to the Class B Honorable Mention All-State team’the distinction was a foreshadowing of a stellar career as a Martian.
That four-year stint culminated on Jan. 21 when family, friends, coaches and staff gathered in the Goodrich High School counseling room to support Patrick as he signed a national letter of intent to play basketball and attend Concordia University in Ann Arbor.
Concordia is a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). The Concordia Cardinal Basketball team won the first-ever championship in the Concordia Invitational in 2007 and have played in three consecutive CIT Championship games from 2005-08. In addition to the CIT, the Cards have registered their first-ever road playoff victory and back-to-back appearances in the WHAC semifinal round.
Patrick is a two-year team captain and this year he averages 17 points per game and six assists.
‘He’s a great role model, student, and soccer player. He’s been very loyal to Goodrich basketball,? said Gary Barns, Goodrich Varsity Basketball coach. ‘He’s a true basketball player. He eats, sleeps, and drinks basketball. When he’s in a game he’s the coach on the floor; he sees what I see.?
Ben Limback, the Concordia Basketball head coach, was eager to have Patrick join the team.
‘We’re very excited at Concordia,? said Limback. ‘He’s impacted a number of lives here at Goodrich, and now we’re proud to have him as a part of our family here at Concordia.?
Patrick is hoping to be an immediate contributor for his new team. Barns is also very excited to see Patrick continue to hone his skills in a college atmosphere.
‘I’ve known the coaches at Concordia,? Barns said.
‘This is a good fit for Andrew because he’s actually going to play. That’s a very mature statement for an 18-year-old.?
Patrick recognizes that his success was not accomplished single-handedly.
‘My parents have done so much for me. And Coach Barns and the coaching staff have made me a great basketball player and really prepared me for college and life. Without my teammates I wouldn’t be anywhere. I’m really looking forward to the next level in basketball.?