Contributing writer
An offensive explosion against a team lacking confidence turned into a lopsided win for the Goessel High School boys’ basketball team Jan. 10.
Argonia got on the scoreboard first, but Goessel went on a 19-0 run with Braden Unruh scoring 11 and Nic Buller, Peter Voth, Shane Goerzen, and Davis Cook each getting 2 points. The Bluebirds led, 23-10, at halftime, as the Raiders were very hesitant crossing the half-court line against the Goessel pressure defense.
In the third quarter, Buller knocked in 8 points as the Bluebirds extended their lead to 39-14. Coach Curtis Guhr used inexperienced players mixed with starters in the fourth quarter. Argonia managed a 5- point run late in the game, but Goessel ended with a non-league win, 45-23.
Leading the way for Goessel was Unruh with a season-high 17 points, and Buller followed with 12. Voth and Trey Schmidt ended the night with 4 each. Goerzen, Cook, Brian Hiebert, and Ben Wiens each scored 2.
Friday’s game was another fast start for the Bluebirds and a struggle from the field for the visiting Elyria Eagles. The Bluebirds shot out to an 18-5 lead in the first quarter with 6 points each from Braden Unruh and Nic Buller. Buller found himself wide open in the second quarter as teammates fired him the ball for some high percentage shots. He added 11 more points to his total and by halftime scored a season-high 17 points. The Bluebirds led, 40-9, at halftime.
As substitutes entered the game, Goessel assists accounted for several easy baskets in the third period as well. Brian Hiebert scored 6 points in the quarter with his left-handed layups. Elyria Christian did not have enough weapons to answer, and Goessel led at the end of three periods, 50-16. With the clock running in the fourth quarter, the Bluebirds added 3 points from Wiens and Stephan Goertzen.
Buller led the Bluebirds in scoring with his 17 first-half points. Unruh finished with 8 points. Hiebert and Cook ended with 6 points apiece, while Drake Sterk and Voth each scored 4 points. Schmidt scored 3 points, Goerzen and Wiens had 2 each, and Goertzen scored 1 point.
The Goessel boys end the week with a 2-2 record in league play and a 6-4 overall record. The boys will play in the Burrton tournament next week.