By DELBERT PETERS

Sports writer

In an unpredictable game Feb. 3, the Goessel High School boys’ basketball team absorbed an attack from the Berean Academy Warriors to win a Heart of America League game, 54-48. 

Berean grabbed a six-point lead late in the first quarter, when three-pointers by Travis Fensky and Craig Banman suddenly knotted the game at eight by end of one period. 

Two more three-pointers by Kendall Voth and Nikko Herman in the second period sparked a Bluebird rally as the half ended, giving the Bluebirds an 18-14 lead.

With two minutes gone in the third period, Goessel had built its biggest lead of nine points to 25-16.

However, Berean went on a 10-2 run, getting within one point as the fans from both teams were back into the game.

 As the third quarter ended, Voth canned two more three-pointers to give the Bluebirds a 33-28 lead. 

The aggressive play of the Warriors sent the Bluebirds to the free throw line 22 times in the fourth quarter and GHS connected on 15.

The strategy nearly worked for Berean as it got as close as 50-46 with 57 seconds to play in the game. 

The Bluebirds took care of the ball and waited to be fouled as the game ended with them on top.

It was Goessel’s second league victory of the season.

Austin Unruh ended the game with 20 points, including 16 free throws. Fensky knocked in 10 points, Voth had nine, Weston Hiebert and Banman each had six, and Herman ended with three points.

Inman

It was a slow start Friday for both Goessel and Inman. 

With half of the first quarter gone, no one had scored. 

Hiebert hit two free throws followed by two Fensky three-pointers, and Goessel jumped out to an 8-0 lead. 

Although the Bluebirds led, 14-7, in the second period, the Teutons grabbed the lead in the third quarter, 17-16.

“Inman was so tall and lanky, we just couldn’t get any baskets in the lane,” said GHS head coach Justin Coup.

Goessel made some key baskets in the fourth quarter off defensive pressure as Herman, Voth, and Fensky all hit three-pointers to give the Bluebirds a 32-28 lead.

Although Goessel missed some free throws near the end of the game, Inman also was unable to convert possessions into scores. 

From the 3:51 mark in the game, each team scored two free throws as the Bluebirds exited the gym with a 34-30 victory.

The two wins this week move Goessel to 3-4 in the league and 10-5 overall. 

 The Bluebirds have two league games this week starting Tuesday with a road game at Moundridge. Results were not available by press time.

GHS will play Thursday at Flint Hills and Friday at home against Remington.