CMCS hopes to click again this season

Central Minnesota Christian guard Case Mulder drives to the basket during a Camden Conference game against Lac qui Parle Valley on March 11, 2021 in Prinsburg West Central Tribune file photo

Bluejays return three starters from a state tournament team

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

PRINSBURG — After an exciting, rugged Camden Conference season that included a North Division co-championship with Lac qui Parle Valley, everything clicked in the section playoffs for Central Minnesota Christian.

The Bluejays beat Wabasso, Renville County West, LQPV and Southwest Minnesota Christian to win the Section 3A title and earn their first state tournament berth since 2017.

None of those wins were easy. CMCS split with RCW and LQPV during the regular season. But it was just enough to get to the state Class A quarterfinals at Mankato East, where they lost to Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s 86-73.

Optimism runs high for the Bluejays, who have some key players to replace, but also have a strong core back from last season’s highly successful team.

Blake Greenwaldt and Russell Groen have graduated. But, Case Mulder, Ben Van Eps and Caden Vander Beek return after starting last season.

Mulder is a 6-foot senior point guard who earned all-conference honors and was named to the West Central Tribune’s All-Area team. Van Eps is a 6-2 senior forward who also was an all-conference selection. Vander Beek is a 6-4 senior center who gives the Bluejays an inside presence.

“Case, Ben, and Caleb have been a solid presence in the Bluejay program these past three years,” head coach Ted Taatjes said. “Similar to last year, they will be asked to carry the load on offense and set the tone on defense.”

Mulder averaged 20.3 points per game last season. He has 1,177 career points. He’s a four-year starter who shot 48% from the field, including 38% from 3-point range (59 of 154). Mulder also averaged 4.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Van Eps averaged 15.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg.

Vander Beek knocked down 8.5 ppg and averaged 7.0 rpg, best on the team.

A player to watch is Ethan Bulthuis, according to Taatjes.

Bulthuis is a 6-3 shooting guard who averaged 8.8 ppg off the bench last season. He shot 40% from 3-point range, making 43 of 107 from long range.