By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

Saturday’s 1A regional final pitted Little River against Goessel, with the visitors securing the 51-44 win, but with both teams advancing to substate.

Little River’s sharpshooting sprung them out to a 16-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and 33-18 by halftime.

Dylan Lindeman swished a 3-pointer that was matched by Little River as the third quarter began. Baskets by Jacob Hagewood and Caiden Duerksen cut into the deficit, as the Bluebirds trailed 40-32 to end the third quarter.

Nathaniel Zogleman scored twice and Duerksen capitalized on an offensive rebound, but still the Bluebirds trailed 47-38. Lindeman scored two points on a jumper and another two points from the free-throw line to get within seven points. Zogleman went coast to coast for a layup with 1:15 left on the clock.

The Bluebirds forced several turnovers but could not convert, and ended up on the losing end.

The 16-7 Goessel boys will face 19-5 Beloit-St. John at 6 p.m. Thursday at Marysville.

The boys waited until Thursday to test their mettle thanks to a first-round bye. Once there, the Bluebirds hung on to beat Elyria Christian 37-32.

Wuest hit two baskets to end the first half with a 21-11 Bluebird lead.

Elyria showed some intensity to start the third quarter, but still Goessel stretched the lead to 31-19.

The Eagles pulled within four points in the fourth quarter, but Goessel free throws late gave the home team a 37-31 lead, which was enough for the win.

Saturday scoring summary: Lindeman, 12; Zogleman, 10; Duerksen, 10; Hagewood, 5; Skyler Wuest, 4; and Jerah Schmidt, 3.

Thursday scoring summary: Zogleman, 12; Wuest, 8; Hagewood, 8; Lindeman, 7; and Schmidt, 2.