Player of the week: Gouch the “Gatorade”

By Donte Medder |Staff Writer|

At 6 foot 5 inches tall and a long wing span with hops for days Josh Gouch, aka Gatorade, was a menace this past year for the Coyote men’s basketball team.

He was introduced to the sport at the young age of 10 and went on to excel. He earned two all-city sections during his high school days in Columbus, Ohio.

Gouch also earned First-Team All Foothill Conference as a sophomore at Mount San Jacinto College. Gouch’s past two seasons spent in San Bernardino have been filled with athletic skill and a superb will to win.

Gouch brought a tough intensity on the defensive end as well. He was often called upon to guard the opposing team’s biggest offensive threat and took pride in making sure the opposition had to work to score. Gouch’s effort often translated to easy baskets for the Coyotes. His pressure on the opposition often caused them to cough up the ball that led to easy transition points for the Coyotes.

Gouch statistics were not only a testament to his skill level, but rather to his willingness to do whatever the team needed from him on any given night.

His best memory during the season was hanging the banner of the conference regular season championship.

“We fought all year to hang that up. We went through a lot of adversity and hung tough. That banner is just a testament to our hard work,” said Gouch.

His biggest night came on the big stage in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Gouch scored a season high with 13 points, grabbed a season high of 11 rebounds, and also contributed three steals and two blocks, all while shooting 50 percent from the field.

Although the men’s team was very successful this year, they were still defeated in the second round. This defeat stands out as Gouch’s worst memory of the year.

“Every game in the tournament you win is an amazing feeling, but once you lose it, it just feels like you’re crushed. For my college career to be completely finished like that just didn’t sit well with me,” said Gouch.

Gouch however, is not just basketball player 24/7. He likes to spend his time with his girlfriend Alejandra Garcia, who he has been with for a year now. He also likes to hang out with friends, go to the beach, and get in the gym to hone his skills.

‘I like getting in the gym and lifting and working out as well,” said Gouch.

Gouch is a Criminal Justice major and plans on finishing up his degree during the summer. He also plans to continue his basketball career by playing professionally.

Gouch plans on playing in the Junior Basketball League and the Drew League, two of the biggest summer pro leagues in Los Angeles. This is where scouts and professional players come to see talent and enjoy playing the game. “I plan on moving up to Los Angeles after graduation to train and also play in the summer leagues, such as the JBL and the Drew league,” said Gouch.

With his Coyote career wrapping up, Gouch looks to bring his same work ethic to the real world, and hopes to remain open to many more great opportunities.