By DELBERT PETERS

Sports writer

The Goessel High School boys’ basketball team attempted to defeat a much taller team Jan. 6 with aggressive play against Hutchinson Trinity.

However, early foul trouble sidelined two starters and Trinity grabbed a 21-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Celtics accumulated 12 steals in the game and used the height of 6-foot-9 senior Ryan Mesh to their advantage.

The Bluebirds were out-rebounded, 31-20, eventually losing by a score of 66-36.

Seniors Austin Unruh and Craig Banman each scored nine points as Goessel suffered their first defeat of the season.

Travis Fensky put in five points, Weston Hiebert and Nikko Herman added four points each, Kendall Voth and Aaron Reimer dropped in two points apiece, and Bryant Miller scored a free-throw.

Scrappy defense and some long-range shooting Friday from the Sedgwick basketball team helped the Cardinals to a victory at Goessel.

The Bluebirds jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the first quarter, but Sedgwick led by two at halftime and went on a 12-4 run in the third period to grab a 10-point lead at the end of three periods.

Goessel attempted shots in the fourth quarter, desperately trying to close the gap, but Sedgwick prevailed, 51-38, handing the Bluebirds their second defeat in a week.

Despite several stitches in his lip from the Trinity match, Unruh led the team with 16 points.

Voth finished with eight points, Fensky dropped in five, Herman made four, Hiebert three, and Banman scored two points.

Goessel will have two away games this week and will try to pickup their first league win. The boys’ overall record is now 5-2.