Contributing writer
White City was the scene of a “buzzer beater” the last two times that the Goessel High School boys’ basketball team played there. Feb. 5 the Bluebirds again had chances to seal a win, but did not make the shot at the buzzer.
In the first quarter, Davis Cook, Shane Goerzen, and Trey Schmidt all hit baskets to keep the game tied 6-6. Nic Buller ended the scoring for the Bluebirds as White City led at the end of the first quarter 10-8.
Goessel captured its first lead of the game 14-12 after Buller and Cook made baskets. Reece Hiebert finished in the lane, Zach Showalter hit from outside, and Cook canned two free-throws to give the Bluebirds a 22-17 lead at the half.
White City tied the game in the third period, 29-29, despite a Goerzen three-pointer and a Ben Wiens put-back. Zach Showalter gave the Bluebirds a three point lead with a long bomb to end the quarter.
Starting the fourth quarter, it looked like the Bluebirds would take control. Buller scored from the lane and Goerzen hit a lay-up to gain a 36-29 lead. After two free-throws by Cook, Goessel still clung to a 38-34 lead, but this would be the last score for the Bluebirds. White City converted three steals into free-throw points to cut the Bluebird lead to one.
The Bluebirds went to the free-throw line twice but missed the front end of a one-and-one each time, leaving the score 38-38. On the rebound of a missed free-throw with two seconds remaining, White City fired a long pass to a sprinting senior who scored a layup at the buzzer for the win 40-38.
Goerzen led the team with nine points, Cook scored eight with 13 rebounds and Buller also hit for eight points. Showalter notched five points, Schmidt four, Reece Hiebert and Wiens each scored two points.
Birds struggle at Peabody
The Bluebirds traveled to Peabody on Feb. 8 for their last Wheat State League game of the season and finished in frustrating fashion. Peabody-Burns won the contest, 54-37.
The Bluebirds scored only six points in the first eight minutes of the game, with Schmidt, Cook and Buller each getting a bucket. The Warriors led 19-6 at the first break.
The Bluebirds fought hard in the second quarter, allowing only three points Peabody-Burns points. Buller, Goerzen, Showalter, and Schmidt scored for Goessel, but halftime totals were Peabody-Burns 22, Goessel 17.
Early in the third period, the Bluebirds trailed by twelve, but a three-pointer by Goerzen and a two pointer from Buller closed the gap to seven, 36-29.
Cook began the scoring in the fourth quarter with a basket off an offensive rebound to get the visitors within five points, but the Warriors began to fire on all cylinders and outscored the Bluebirds 18-6 to finish with a 54-37 win.
Schmidt led Bluebird scoring with 10 points; Buller had 8, Cook 7, Showalter 6, Goerzen 5 and Ben Wiens 1.
Goessel played at home on Tuesday against Udall. They travel to Canton on Friday. The Bluebird boys ended with a 4-4 Wheat State League record and are 8-9 overall.