Contributing writer
On Feb. 18, the Goessel Bluebirds went into Udall to tangle with the highly ranked Eagles. Several baskets from Brian Hiebert and Ben Wiens with one goal from Reece Hiebert helped the Bluebirds to stay within one point at the end of the first quarter, 12-11.
Zach Wiens hit from close range and Lawton Makovec hit from long range to give the Bluebirds a 16-12 lead. Udall played with confidence and hit a shot at the buzzer to tie the game at 21 at halftime.
Zach Showalter gave Goessel the lead with a three-pointer, but the Eagles scored six consecutive points. Baskets by Ben Wiens and Reece Hiebert tied the game at 33. Udall finished the third period ahead 35-33.
Ben Wiens scored five points to start the fourth quarter, keeping the Bluebirds within two points. Udall edged ahead with free throws, but a Showalter three-pointer again brought the Bluebirds within two points with 25 seconds remaining.
After two Udall free throws, Zach Wiens made a field goal with contact and hit the free throw as well to get the Bluebirds within one point with 15 seconds remaining in the game. Out of time outs, the Bluebirds fouled, Udall made two free throws with 5 seconds remaining. Goessel got off a last second three-pointer that missed and Udall squeaked out a 49-46 win.
Scoring
Ben Wiens, 17; Zach Wiens, 9; Showalter, 6; Makovec, 5 (and 6 assists); Brian Hiebert, 5; and Reece Hiebert, 4.
Canton-Galva
Goessel and Canton-Galva traded leads all game long Friday at Goessel. Goessel’s defense looked stout as Showalter got the scoring started for the Bluebirds with a three-pointer, followed by a Brian Hiebert bank shot and a Ben Wiens drive. The Bluebirds led at the end of the first quarter 7-3.
Two three-pointers from the Eagles tied the game at 9. The back-and-forth contests found the Bluebirds ahead 16-15 before Nick Bray hit from long distance, pushing the Eagle lead to 22-16. Goessel would score seven consecutive points to grab a 23-22 lead and the half ended with Canton-Galva back in front 24-23.
Seniors Brian Hiebert and Ben Wiens grabbed the lead for the Bluebirds 30-28 to start the scoring in the third period. Makovec nailed a three-pointer and Reece Hiebert finished a great pass to take the Bluebirds ahead at the third quarter 35-33.
Goessel opened a four-point lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter on a Reece Hiebert inside move, but then Bray nailed two three-pointers to give the lead back to the visitors. Canton-Galva tried to nurse the clock with a six-point lead. Ben Wiens scored two baskets to cut the Eagle lead to two, but after several fouls, Canton-Galva was able to finish the game with a 50-44 win.
Scoring
Ben Wiens, 19; Reece Hiebert, 9; Zach Showalter, 6; Brian Hiebert, 4; Makovec, 3; Zach Wiens, 2; and Connor Davis, 1.
The Goessel boys were 7-11 before their regular season finale Tuesday at Berean Academy.