Staff writer
The second-half blues showed up again for the Bluebirds in Friday’s game. Goessel’s tallest player, Davis Cook, scored 11 first-half points, leading the Bluebirds to a 26-18 lead at the half. Seven GHS players scored at the Canton-Galva gym in the first two quarters.
But as happens in high school basketball, the second half was different from the first. Goessel went more than five minutes without a point in the third period but still maintained a 31-26 lead at the end of the quarter.
Corey Buller hit a free throw to keep the lead with the Bluebirds 32-28, but the Eagles made a free throw of their own and then seniors Tad Wedel and Taylor Meyers hit back-to-back 3-pointers and suddenly the Bluebirds were playing catch-up. At the one minute mark, the Bluebirds were behind, 38-33. Braden Unruh banked in a 3-pointer but consistent free throw shooting by Eagle point guard Nick Vogts in the last 55 seconds kept the Bluebirds at bay.
With time running out Goessel cut into the lead with two free throws by Unruh and a drive by Nic Buller to get as close as 42-40, but the Eagles would hit another free throw and time expired with a loss for the Bluebirds, 43-40.
Unruh finished with 13 points and Cook added 12 points. Corey Buller hit 5 points, Nic Buller 4 points, and Trey Schmidt connected for 3. Neal Brubaker scored 2 and John Berkholz hit a free throw.
Goessel 68, Argonia 41
Goessel was on target from long range Feb. 15 and was able to relax in a comfortable win at Argonia.
The Bluebirds led 19-8 at the end of the first quarter and Braden Unruh scored 11 for Goessel in the second quarter on their way to a 40-20 lead at halftime. A good combination of scrappy defense and wise choices on passes led to some easy baskets. Goessel took a commanding lead at the end of the third period, 56-28. The scoring success continued in the fourth quarter. The final score in this non-league contest ended at 68-41.
Unruh scored 16, Corey Buller finished with 13, and John Berkholz ended with 9 points. Trey Schmidt and Davis Cook dropped in 8 points and Nic Buller finished with 6. Neal Brubaker, Tyler Schulz, Jake Smucker, and Shane Goerzen each scored 2 points.
Goessel finished the week with a 9-9 overall record. The Bluebirds played White City Monday and hosted Berean on Tuesday.