Contributing writer
The Goessel Bluebirds boys’ basketball team worked back from a nine-point, first-half deficit on Friday to win over Centre. It was senior night and the Bluebirds four seniors Nic Buller, Davis Cook, Shane Goerzen, and Trey Schmidt fought hard as they led their team to its fourth Wheat State League win.
Goessel started the game with a 5-2 lead, but the Cougar squad poured in ten consecutive points to take over at the end of the first quarter, 12-5.
Cook, Buller, and Schmidt poured in points for the Bluebirds in the second period but the home team still trailed 21-14 at half time.
Goessel got off to a great start in the third period with Cook and Buller scoring and cutting into the Cougar lead 25-22. The Bluebird defense stopped the visitors enough times to shift momentum to the home team. The third quarter ended with Centre barely in the lead 29-28.
It was back and forth scoring in the second quarter for both teams. Centre scored four points, but Ben Wiens hit a free-throw, Schmidt knocked in a three-pointer and Cook hit a reverse lay-up to take a 34-33 lead. The Bluebirds built a six-point lead on baskets by Buller and free throws by Wiens to pull ahead 44-38. Centre got as close as 44-41 but fouls with time running out allowed the Bluebirds to finish with a final score 46-41.
Cook hit 17 points, but Buller put in his season high 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Schmidt led the team with ball handling skills and scored nine points, while Wiens hit four free throws. Although Shane Goerzen scored no points, he led the team with three assists, two deflections, and one steal.
Little River powers past Bluebirds 51-33
The Bluebirds jumped out to a 12-7 first quarter lead on Jan. 29 and continued to lead 17-15 at half time against Little River.
However, the Redskins took the lead at the end of three periods 27-25 as turnovers for the Bluebirds began to translate into easy baskets for the Redskins. Little River pumped in 24 points in the fourth quarter to coast to a 51-33 win.
Cook led the team with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Buller followed with 10 points, Schmidt had six points, Zach Showalter two points, and Wiens two points.
Goessel is now 4-2 in the Wheat State League with two games remaining this week at White City and Peabody. The boys overall record is 8-7.