Contributing writer
The Goessel High School boys’ basketball team battled Little River in the final of the Bluebird Classic Tournament Saturday in Goessel. Despite a valiant come from behind effort, the Redskins won the game, 48-42.
Little River struck early in the game by gaining a 10-3 lead and Goessel’s aggressive defense got them into early foul trouble. A long Shane Goerzen 3-pointer at the buzzer kept Goessel as close as 12-8 when the first quarter ended.
The Bluebirds tied the game 12-12 with buckets from Trey Schmidt and Zac Showalter. Little River went on a tear and gained a 27-16 lead before Goessel got a field goal from Nic Buller and a 3-pointer from Schmidt. The first half closed with Little River ahead, 28-21.
Buller and Davis Cook scored to start the second half, drawing the Bluebirds within 3 points, but three consecutive 3-pointers from Little River boosted their lead to 10. Several Redskin turnovers and steals by the Bluebirds allowed Goessel to narrow the gap at the end of the third quarter, 39-31.
Ben Wiens rolled in a bucket and Goerzen hit another long 3-pointer to get the Bluebirds within 4 points as the fourth quarter began. The Redskins stretched the lead to 7. Cook and Buller dropped in baskets as the Bluebirds got as close as 46-42 with just seconds remaining. Goessel fought hard but two more free throws by Little River ended the game with a Goessel loss, 48-42.
Buller scored 12, Cook had 9, and Schmidt went for 7.
Burrton
It was a high scoring first quarter for the Bluebirds as Buller, Schmidt, and Cook each had multiple buckets giving Goessel a 19-9 lead before Burrton scored 4 points to end the quarter. Goerzen opened the second period with two 3-pointers and the Bluebirds ended the half ahead, 32-21.
Goessel did not allow the Chargers to cut into the lead in the third period and baskets by Buller and Goerzen ended the period with Goessel leading, 44-28.
The Chargers would get as close as 13 points in the fourth quarter, but Goessel continued to extend their lead and won by a final of 54-37.
Scoring for Goessel were Buller with 12, Goerzen and Schmidt each with 9 points, and Cook with 8.
Central Christian
Goessel took the lead in Tuesday’s game 12-5 at the end of one period. Three 3-pointers by the Cougars kept the visitors within 2 points at halftime as Goessel led going into the break, 26-24. Central Christian took their first lead of the game with a 3-pointer to start the third period, but Goessel scored 9 consecutive points to take command again. However, the Cougars cut the deficit to four points by the end of the quarter.
Cook and Wiens put in baskets to give Goessel a 10-point advantage with 5 minutes to play. Again the Cougars got within 3 points several times, but no closer as Goessel hung on to win, 53-50.
Scoring against Central Christian were Ben Wiens with 14, Cook with 12, and Schmidt with 12.
Goessel will have a Friday game this week at Wakefield and then be at home with Hope Tuesday.