Contributing writer
The Goessel High School boys’ basketball team went 2-1 in their home tournament, the Bluebird Classic, to improve to 2-2 on the season.
Central Christian
Goessel jumped out to a 6-2 lead in a game against Central Christian, but experienced the sharp shooting of the Krehbiel duo from the Cougars and fell behind 19-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Lawton Makovec led his team from the point guard position and exploded for 12 points in the second period with his penetrating moves to the bucket. A basket by Ben Wiens and a free throw by Kellen Froese, gave the Bluebirds a 27-25 lead at halftime.
Central Christian made some adjustments at halftime and allowed the Bluebirds only five points in the third period while scoring 14 points of their own to take a 39-32 lead into the end of third quarter.
The visitors hit four 3-pointers and all 9 free throws to grow their lead to 23 points. As the game neared the end, Lucas Hiebert nailed two 3-pointers to bring the final score to 64-46.
Scoring for the Bluebirds against Central Christian: Makovec, 19; Ben Wiens, 8; Brian Hiebert, 6; Lucas Hiebert, 6; Froese, 3; Reece Hiebert, 2; and Zach Wiens, 2.
Elyria Christian
Makovec could not be contained against Elyria Christian as he put his perpetual motion to use on the court in Friday’s game. After a Ben Wiens bucket, Makovec scored nine points to give the Bluebirds a 11-2 lead. Zach Showalter scored four points in the first stanza, helping Goessel to a 22-12 lead at the first break.
In the second period, the Eagles hit a 3-pointer, but Froese, Makovec, and Brian Hiebert gave the Bluebirds a 28-15 lead. A 6-1 run by the visitors forced a Bluebird timeout. Goessel missed 4 of 5 free throws to go to halftime with a 30-21 lead.
In the third period, the Bluebirds went on an 8-0 run to take a commanding 42-23 lead. Zach Wiens, Showalter, and Makovec hit multiple baskets in the quarter to help the Bluebirds to a third quarter lead of 44-24.
In the fourth period, Connor Davis, Reece Hiebert, and Lucas Hiebert scored their first points of the game as Zach Wiens, Makovec, and Froese added to their game points. Goessel picked up its first win of the season with a final score 65-34.
Scoring for the Bluebirds: Makovec, 24; Froese, 11; Zach Wiens, 9; Ben Wiens, 6; Showalter, 6; Davis, 4; Brian Hiebert, 2; Reece Hiebert, 2; and Lucas Hiebert, 1.
Burrton
Showalter started the game hitting two 3-pointers as Goessel jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the third-place game against Burrton.
The Chargers trailed by three at the end of one period and tied the game at 10 early in the second quarter. The Bluebirds had trouble getting second chances against the solid zone defense put up by the Chargers.
Makovec scored seven points in the second quarter and was helped with baskets from Brian Hiebert, Reece Hiebert, and Zach Wiens. Goessel went to the locker room with a 23-21 lead.
Burrton hit a 3-pointer to start the third period and took its first lead of the game at 24-23. Makovec scored five of the Bluebirds’ 10 unanswered points, with Kellen Froese getting three and Ben Wiens following a missed shot. Goessel still only led by four points by the time the third period ended.
In the fourth period, sophomore Zach Wiens consistently was at the right place for rebounds and Burrton sent the Bluebirds to the free-throw line for 16 free throws in the last three minutes of the game. Goessel stretched its lead to 49-36 and finished with a 51-40 win for third place.
Scoring for the Bluebirds against Burrton: Makovec, 23; Zach Wiens, 9 points and 11 rebounds; Showalter, 6; Ben, Wiens 5; Froese, 4; and Reece Hiebert and Brian Hiebert, 2 points each.
The Goessel boys are now 2-2 with the Wheat State League beginning Friday at Wakefield.