Three starters should give ACGC a good start

BY MICHAEL LYNE | West Central Tribune

GROVE CITY — Coming off a 9-17 overall record in its 2021-22 campaign, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City returns three starters to its lineup for 2022-23.

Those three Falcons’ returning starters are two seniors in wing Thor Goerish and guard Sam Rouser, and one junior in guard Kyler Pickle.

Standing at 6-feet-2, Goerish leads the pack of returners as he “will be counted on to contribute even more this season,” said ACGC head coach Terry Miller.

Goerish was named to the All-Central Minnesota Conference team in 202122, recording 333 points, 114 rebounds, 32 assists, 21 steals and 14 blocks.

Alongside Goerish, Miller mentioned that Pickle is also a player to watch as the season gets underway.

ACGC sophomore Kyler Pickle looks for an open teammate after getting the ball at the top of the key against YME on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, in Granite Falls.

West Central Tribune file photo

Pickle averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists per game in his sophomore season.

“(Kyler’s a) great allaround athlete. (He) can shoot the ball, as well as get to the basket,” said Miller, who’s at the helm of the Falcons program for his 21st season.

The last player to watch mentioned by Miller is sophomore Marcus Forsythe. He is a post player listed at 6-5. He’s another player ACGC will look to count on this season.

“(Marcus) will be counted on to pick up some of the slack we lost with the graduation of Alex Kokenge,” Miller said. “(Marcus has) good touch around the basket and runs the floor well for a big man.”

Kokenge, a 2022 grad, was an all-conference member and the Falcons’ most valuable player. He averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in 2021-22.

Other key losses for the Falcons heading into the 2022-23 season include: Brock Denton, Landon Blom and Hunter Powers. ◀