Staff writer
Goessel boys picked up two wins in the opening rounds of the Bluebird Classic, but fell to Central Christian in the championship game Saturday.
After an easy win against Elyria Christian, the Bluebirds played Little River on Friday.
The teams were evenly matched: Goessel was taller, but Little River compensated with athleticism.
In the first 12 minutes of the game, the lead changed six times. Little River led 9-8 at the end of the first quarter.
After two baskets by Zach Wiens, a put-back by Jordan Griffin, and a 3-pointer by Chase Flaming, Goessel grabbed the lead in the second quarter and would never trail again.
The Bluebirds led at half time 24-16.
Third-period baskets by Flaming and Griffin gave the Bluebirds a 30-16 lead. Goessel defense was scrappy, preventing Little River from getting any easy baskets.
The Redskins swished a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter and trailed 38-30. Although the Bluebirds were not shooting a high percentage from the field, they were able to run time off the clock to earn a 42-33 win.
“Our defense did a great job,” said coach Curtis Guhr. “We knew they would be hard to defend.”
Wiens led the team with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Griffin dropped in 8 points, and Flaming 7. Josh Schmidt had 3 steals.
Highly ranked Central Christian of Hutchinson awaited Goessel in the final.
The first half was close as the lead changed six times. The Cougars broke a 16-16 tie by scoring the last four points in the half.
Goessel scored first in the third quarter, getting as close as 19-20, but Central Christian put together a 14-4 run which changed the complexion of the game.
Goessel trailed 38-25 at the end of the third period, but scratched its way to a 42-35 deficit before the Cougars iced the game at the free throw line. The Bluebirds lost 46-35.
Wiens led the team with a double-double scoring 17 points and gathering 12 rebounds.
Griffin knocked in 8 points,
The Bluebirds sport a 3-1 record as they begin league play Friday against Rural Vista.