Contributing writer
Davis Cook scored seven points in the first quarter to help Goessel to a 14-6 lead on Feb. 19 when the Bluebirds took on the highly ranked Berean Academy Warriors’ basketball team. Cook’s team leading game total of 16 points kept the Bluebirds close throughout the contest before Berean sealed the deal in the final quarter with free throws, winning 44-36.
The Bluebirds started out strong with Ben Wiens rolling in a layup, Zach Showalter hitting a 3-pointer, and Reece Hiebert making a high percentage shot, along with Cook’s contributions, to give the Bluebirds a surprising 14-9 lead at the first quarter break.
Trey Schmidt hit a free throw, but Berean went on a nine-point run to take a 18-15 lead. Nic Buller hit a runner off the glass, Cook made a jumper, and Shane Goerzen went coast-to-coast after a steal to give the Bluebirds the 21-20 lead. A 3-pointer by Berean ended the half with the Warriors up, 23-21.
In the third quarter, Wiens tied the game with a reverse layup and Cook hit another jumper, but the Berean defense would not allow any more Goessel points and they took the lead, 35-25.
Cook scored five points in the fourth to get the Bluebirds as close as 30-37. Buller hit another bank shot and Schmidt went in for an open layup to bring the Bluebirds within five, 39-34. Goessel stayed within five points with another Buller basket, but then sent the Warriors to the free-throw line several times in the last 2 minutes. Berean hit three free-throws to seal the win by a final score of 44-36. Goessel ended the season with a 9-11 record.
Cook ended the night with 16 points, Buller scored 6, Schmidt 3, and Goerzen 2. Wiens made 4 points, Showalter 3, and ReeceHiebert 2.
Goessel will play on 7:30 p.m. today with Burrton at Goessel for the first round in the sub-state Tournament. Winners will play on Friday at 7:30 in Burrton.