By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Boys basketball

Four letter winners return to Goessel basketball this season: Noah Schrag, Koy Smith, Javin Schmidt, and Jack Nickel.

“With graduating four of our five starters, we will be looking to guys to step up this season,” coach Curtis Guhr said.

Goessel lost a good portion of its scoring from last season, and Guhr will be looking to others to step up

“We have a good group of guys that I feel are ready to accept the challenge,” Guhr said.

Goessel will open its season on the road Friday in Marion.

Girls basketball

Ninety percent of last season’s Bluebirds varsity team returns this season for another round.

Top returning starters are Cheyenne Sawyer, Braylyn Hoopes, Jaicee Griffin, and Abbigail Funk.

Along with them are returning letter winners Aimee Funk and Logan Bryant.

This team has a lot of experience and is ready to be competitive.

“I thought we had great chemistry on the court this summer. You can tell these girls have played together for several years,” coach Ryan Hoopes said.

“If we can become more consistent at shooting, this group has potential to be very exciting on the court, and hopefully make a post season run,” Hoopes said.

Goessel opens up the season on the road in Marion this Friday.