TABOR: Ratzlaff, Brubacher named to all-conference team
Brad Gattis selected
to all-freshman team
BY RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
The ride for the 2002-2003 season probably ended too soon, and not the way that Bluejay seniors Micah Ratzlaff and Scott Brubacher would have liked.
For a team that was picked to finish as runner-up in the KCAC to the defending champion Ottawa Braves, the Bluejays 18-12 record overall and 13-7 third-place league finish had a tart taste to it.
And it won't be the Bluejays final game against the Bethel Threshers in the semifinal round of the KCAC Tournament that will go down as one of the season's highlights.
As the curtain sorrowfully came crashing down on the Bluejays season, March 1, so ended the playing careers of what will arguably go down in history as one the best groups of seniors.
But the early season exit didn't stop either Ratzlaff or Brubacher from earning post-season honors by the league's coaches.
It is no surprise that Ratzlaff was a unanimous choice for the KCAC's first team.
Leading the Bluejays both in scoring and rebounding, injury again sidelined Ratzlaff for a short portion of the season.
Ratzlaff's 17 points per game average ranked sixth in the KCAC, while his 6.31 rebounds a game was the ninth best for a team that lagged behind battling for the boards for a large portion of the year.
Virtually deadly from anywhere on the floor, Ratzlaff also ranked second on the team in total field goal percentage, three point shooting, and assists per game with 45 and 38 percent and 3.08, respectively.
His 77 percent shooting at the freethrow line was third best for Tabor.
One of the most tenacious defenders in school history, Brubacher was named both league honorable mention and to the inaugural all-defensive team.
Brubacher didn't put up the double figure average in scoring, but his leadership and hard-nosed gritty defense helped keep the Bluejays together during the troubled times of the season.
Hitting a team-best 79 percent at the freethrow line, the seventh best in the league, Brubacher was the last Bluejay opponents wanted to put on the line.
Brubacher was also dangerous from downtown, hitting 34 percent from behind the arc, the third best for Tabor.
While the Bluejays saw the end of two great careers with Ratzlaff and Brubacher, they got a good glimpse of a future force in freshman Brad Gattis.
Ranking second to Ratzlaff in scoring with 13 points a game, Gattis led the Bluejays in both field goal percentage and three point shooting.
Hitting a scorching 53 percent from the field for the sixth best percentage in the KCAC, Gattis also burned opponents shooting the triples, hitting 39 percent.
For a sensational season, Gattis was selected to the new addition All-freshman team.
