When the ball reached Josh Goodwin Jr. this past season, the result was often predictable: A pull-up three from the wing, a long drive through traffic to the rim, or a defensive stop that ignited a fast break in the opposite direction.
Night after night, the 6-foot-5 combo guard delivered performances that lifted the Cypress Ranch Mustangs to an 11–3 finish in District 16-6A and a deep playoff run. By the time the season ended, one game short of a regional final breakthrough, Goodwin was averaging 24.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and two steals per game, production that made him the clear choice for District 16-6A Most Valuable Player.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. For Cy Ranch, Goodwin’s senior season became the key factor behind one of the program’s most memorable runs.
“Coming into my senior season, my goals were to be a strong leader, help my team compete at a high level, and make a deep playoff run,” said Goodwin. “I wanted to keep improving my overall game and be someone my teammates could rely on every night.”
As a four-year varsity starter, leadership was expected, not optional.
“I expected he would lead by example with consistency, not just in games but in practices when it matters most,” said Cy Ranch head basketball coach Mason Huffmeister.
While leadership often starts behind the scenes, it quickly becomes clear once the game begins. For Cy Ranch, Goodwin’s impact was evident on the scoreboard almost right away, demonstrating his ability to score at all three levels.
“I spent a lot of time in the gym working on my shot and my decision-making with the ball,” said Goodwin. “The extra work and the competition we played against this year helped me become more consistent offensively.”
Standing 6-foot-5 and able to play both inside and outside, Goodwin consistently posed matchup challenges for opposing defenses.
“My size and length helped me see over defenders and reach my spots on the floor,” said Goodwin. “It also helped me finish over smaller guards and take bigger defenders off the dribble. I just try to use my versatility to create advantages wherever I can.”
“Josh plays the right way, very unselfish as he makes the kick-out pass on over help or double teams, and this creates a lot of looks for his teammates,” said Huffmeister.
While Goodwin’s scoring filled highlight reels all season, his impact extended far beyond offense. On the defensive end, he proved just as valuable.
“Defense is a big part of my game,” said Goodwin. “Getting steals and stops helps create momentum for the team and leads to easy offense for my teammates or me. I like to watch guys like Jrue Holiday and Kawhi Leonard. The way they stay disciplined on defense and make it tough for whoever they’re guarding really stands out to me. They take pride in that side of the game, and that’s something I try to bring every time I step on the court.”
As a long, versatile defender, Goodwin disrupted passing lanes and guarded multiple positions.
“I like competing against the other team’s best player and doing everything I can to help my team get stops because I know defense is what’s going to keep me on the floor in college,” said Goodwin.
These two-way contributions helped Cy Ranch build momentum throughout district play, positioning them as one of the top teams in District 16-6A with an 11–3 record and a second-place finish.
“Finishing 11-3 showed us that we could fight through adversity and still end up at the top,” said Goodwin. “We knew how good we were as a team and how far we could go if we locked in and played together.”
Goodwin delivered standout performances throughout, including 31 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists against Langham Creek, and another 33-point, 10-rebound, four-assist game against Cy-Lakes. That consistency ultimately earned him one of the district’s most prestigious individual honors: MVP.
“Being named District MVP is truly a blessing. There are some talented players in our district, so being recognized in that regard
Josh Goodwin Jr.
means a lot.”
“Being named District MVP is truly a blessing,” said Goodwin. “There are some talented players in our district, so being recognized in that regard means a lot.”
“In my opinion, he was the best player on the floor in every district game,” said Huffmeister. “He led the league in scoring (24.47 ppg) and was second in rebounding (7.7 rpg). District coaches agreed that he was a unanimous selection.
While the MVP honor marked an outstanding season, Goodwin’s legacy at Cy Ranch goes beyond awards.
“I hope people remember how hard I competed and how much I cared about the program,” said Goodwin. “Every time I stepped on the court, I tried to give everything I had for my team and represent Cy Ranch the right way. I also hope they remember me as a resilient person who can fight through anything to help his team win.”
The Cy Ranch basketball program helped shape Goodwin as both a player and a person by teaching him discipline, toughness, and the importance of being part of a team, lessons that will stay with him well beyond the game.
“He’s definitely one of the top players to come through Cypress Ranch, if not the best,” said Huffmeister. “He would own the record board if he didn’t miss a year and a half because of injury. Besides Dubem Muoneke, Josh is the only other Guy V. Lewis player of the year finalist I’ve had the opportunity to coach.”
