Contributing writer
In a hard fought high school boys non-league basketball game, Goessel’s defense held Inman to four points in the third quarter. The Bluebirds gained a 9-point advantage with one quarter to play, and eventually won, 39-34.
After three minutes had been played in the fourth quarter, Inman scored eight points on two 3-pointers and a steal and lay-up. Braden Unruh hit a three from the corner, but Inman matched it on their next possession leaving Goessel ahead 31-30.
Inside of two minutes, Davis Cook hit a jumper and Unruh went to the free-throw line, hitting both foul shots. With a 5-point lead, the Bluebird defense gave up a 2-point field goal. Goessel did not want to stop the clock with a foul.
Inman scored and fouled Unruh again, with the Goessel senior hitting two more free throws. Again Inman scored two points, then sent Nic Buller to the free-throw line with 15 seconds to play.
Buller did not disappoint first-year Head Coach, Curtis Guhr and made both shots, his only points of the game, to give the Bluebirds their final advantage.
This was a “total team effort,” said coach Guhr. The Bluebirds had balanced scoring: Unruh finished with 11 points; Cook and Trey Schmidt scored 10 points each.
The Bluebirds trailed 5-0 early in the game, but 3-pointers by Schmidt (2) and Ben Wiens helped the Bluebirds to a 12-11 lead at the end of one quarter. The Bluebird defense only allowed four points in each of the next two quarters to help them survive the flurry of Inman points in the fourth period.
Coach Guhr cited Trey Schmidt and Shane Goerzen for excellent ball-handling skills in the win.
Goessel will be home next week for the Bluebird Classic. The boys will play at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. The Saturday game will be scheduled after Friday’s results are known.