Bluejays hope to fill a void with returning talent

With three key seniors gone, CMCS will be led by Bulthuis and Marcus

BY MICHAEL LYNE | West Central Tribune

PRINSBURG — Fresh off a 2021-22 season with a 25-4 overall record, the Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays will look toward their returning players to step up after losing three key starters.

“With graduating 70 percent of last year’s scoring, there will be a lot of opportunity for returning players to fill new roles,” said CMCS head coach Ted Taatjes, who’s at the helm of the Bluejays program for a 14th season.

Key roster losses include Case Mulder, Ben Van Eps and Caleb Vander Beek. The trio helped lead CMCS to a section championship appearance last season and a state tournament berth in 2021.

As Taatjes and CMCS turn to a new chapter, they will look toward their two returning starters to help fill the void of lost scoring.

CMCS junior Ethan Bulthuis, right, makes a jump pass to teammate Ben Van Eps (24) against Barnesville during the Bremer Bank Holiday Classic Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, at Willmar.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Those two returners are AllCamden Conference member and senior shooting guard Ethan Bulthuis and senior guard Brayden Marcus.

Bulthuis notched 421 points and averaged 14.5 points per game in 29 contests in 2021-22. He also tallied 154 rebounds, 38 steals, 18 assists and 13 blocks. Marcus had 78 points, adding 75 rebounds, 27 assists, 12 steals and one block in 29 games.

Alongside Bulthuis, sophomore point guard Drew Duininck and junior center Ryan Harrington are players to watch, per Taatjes.

“Ethan finished last season playing at a very high level,” Taatjes said. “Drew and Ryan both put a lot of time in the gym this summer. They will both be relied upon to carry more responsibility on both ends of the court.” ◀