Contributing writer
The Goessel Bluebirds went 1-2 in Wheat State League play last week, all at home.
On Feb. 11, the Bluebirds played one of the top teams in the league as they fell to Rural Vista 53-44. Goessel fell behind quickly as the first quarter ended with the Heat up 20-9. The Bluebird defense held Rural Vista to five points in the second period with all of those coming in the first half of the period. Baskets by Brian Hiebert and Zach Wiens helped the Bluebirds close the gap to 25-18 at halftime.
The Bluebirds found an answer in the third period as Ben Wiens scored three, and Makovec hit five points and assisted Brian Hiebert to take a 28-27 lead. Makovec hit another jumper to give Goessel a 32-30 lead. However, Rural Vista scored seven consecutive points and Goessel trailed at the end of the third period 37-32.
The Bluebirds were not able to regain any momentum in the fourth quarter as the game ended in a loss for Goessel, 53-43.
Scoring
Ben Wiens, 10; Makovec, 10; Zach Wiens, 9; Brian Hiebert, 8; Reece Hiebert, 4; and Connor Davis, 2 points.
Little River
Thursday, the Bluebirds tangled with the Redskins from Little River in a weather-delayed game from the previous week. Goessel was outscored in every quarter. Goessel trailed after one period 19-11 and then at half-time 35-23. The Bluebirds managed only five points in the third period and the game ended with a Little River win 62-42.
Scoring
Makovec, 14; Ben Wiens, 13; Brian Hiebert, 6; Kellen Froese, 2; Zach Wiens, 2; Zach Showalter, 2; Reece Hiebert, 2; and Davis, 1.
Peabody-Burns
It was an exciting game on Friday, when the Bluebirds snapped their six game losing streak in the final Wheat State League game.
The Bluebirds opened the contest getting behind quickly as Peabody-Burns junior Braxton Kyle opened with a barrage of eight points to take the Warriors to a 10-2 lead.
Goessel finished the first quarter with a 9-4 run and only trailed 14-11 by the break. Showalter hit a three-pointer, Brian Hiebert scored from close range, Davis coaxed in a basket from an offensive rebound, and Makovec hit a free-throw after a technical foul on a Peabody-Burns player.
The Bluebirds took a 19-16 lead with 2:33 to play in the half. The Bluebirds finished the first half knowing that the Warriors could explode for points quickly, but Goessel led 24-19 at the break.
Ben Wiens scored four points in the third period to help the Bluebirds to a 28-19 lead. Kyle for Peabody-Burns found success driving the lane and getting fouled or scoring from close range. Goessel felt a tinge of desperation as their nine-point lead shrank to three points.
Froese tossed in a three-pointer and Showalter scored a bucket to give the Bluebirds a 35-27 lead. Reece Hiebert circled inside the lane on an inbounds play for an easy basket and the third quarter ended with the Bluebirds ahead 37-32.
Zach Wiens forced an offensive rebound back in for a score and then blocked a Warrior shot, saving the ball from going out of bounds. Ben Wiens hit a jumper in the lane and younger brother Zach Wiens hit another from close range to give the Bluebirds a 43-34 lead.
The Warriors made a run, getting as close as 45-43. Zach Wiens scored again and Peabody-Burns could have tied the game with four free-throws, but only converted one. Zach Wiens scored all nine of his points in the fourth period as he used great position for offensive rebounds and the Bluebirds left the court with a 53-46 win.
Scoring
Ben Wiens, 12; Reece Hiebert, 10; Zach Wiens, 9; Brian Hiebert, 6; Showalter, 6; Makovec, 5; Froese, 3; and Davis, 2.
The Goessel boys finished 3-4 in the Wheat State League. Goessel will be at home against Canton-Galva on Friday.