Contributing writer
Goessel seniors led all scorers through three quarters, but a strong team effort kept the state- ranked Udall Eagles within reach until late in the game.
Davis Cook, Trey Schmidt, and Shane Goerzen hit baskets to stun Udall with a 9-2 lead. The Eagles took flight however, and tied the game at 13, ending the first quarter tied at 15-15.
Goerzen matched an Eagle three with one of his own to keep the game tied 18-18 and then hit another bomb giving the Bluebirds a short-lived 21-20 lead. Udall scored five straight points, but with less than a second on the clock, a long out of bounds pass found Cook under the basket for a tip to keep the Bluebirds within two points at halftime, 25-23.
Schmidt tied the game to open the third quarter, but the Bluebirds allowed Udall to stretch their lead to nine points, ending the third quarter, 43-36.
Ben Wiens sank two free throws at the beginning of the fourth quarter, cutting the Eagle lead to five points. However, Bluebird turnovers allowed Udall to go on a 10-2 run and take control of the game. Udall won by a final score of 53-42.
Goerzen steals propel win over Canton-Galva
Goessel jumped out to a first quarter lead on Friday, scoring 19 points at Canton. The Eagles tied the score and grabbed a 28-25 lead at half-time allowing Goessel only six points in the second period.
At the end of the third period, the score was knotted 37-37. The scoring pace slowed in the fourth quarter with the Bluebirds scoring first. Goessel was still ahead by two points when officials stopped the game, with 44 seconds to play, to remove blood from the court.
Goerzen stole a pass at half court and made a lay-up giving the Bluebirds a 44-40 lead. Another steal by Goerzen and the ensuing foul allowed the Bluebirds to win by five points, 45-40.
Schmidt and Goerzen each hit three 3-pointers and both scored 14 points to lead the Bluebirds. Buller put in nine points, Cook added six, and Wiens scored two points. Schmidt was perfect from the free-throw line. three-for-three and Goerzen contributed three steals (two in the final minute) to add to his offensive performance.
Goessel will be at home against Berean on Tuesday for the last regular season game. On Wednesday, sub state tournament seedings were announced. The sub state tournament will be held at Burrton. The Goessel boys ended the week with a 9-10 record.