Both teams pick up wins in regular season finale

By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

Goessel’s basketball teams tuned up for postseason play with convincing wins last week against Udall, but while the top-seeded Lady Bluebirds drew a substate first-round bye, the boys’ season came to a disappointing end Tuesday against Little River.

It was the fourth time the teams had played this season, with Little River holding a 2-1 edge going into the game.

The Redskins took control of the game and fended off every Bluebirds run at a comeback, bouncing Goessel out of the tournament 58-45.

Jordan Griffen led Goessel with 18 points.

The loss took the bloom off of Goessel’s 58-39 win over Udall, in which two seniors had their best offensive performances.

Feisty defender Josh Schmidt, scored 6 from the field and 6 charities for 12 points, and Miguel Guerrero hit four of five field goals for 10 points.

Goessel took command early and held a 32-15 lead early in the third quarter, but the Eagles used a 9-0 run to cut the lead to single digits. Griffin responded with 6 points in the last 3 minutes of the quarter, and all players on the bench enjoyed varsity playing time as the Bluebirds pulled away in the fourth, winning 58-39.

Griffin scored 17 points, and Rhett Makovec and Dylan Lindeman each scored 7.

The Goessel boys finished the season with a 7-14 record

Brittney Hiebert’s season-high 24 points and 13 rebounds led the Lady Bluebirds to a 50-37 win in their regular-season finale against Udall.

The Bluebirds committed 28 turnovers, but out-rebounded the visitors 45-25. The Bluebirds jumped out to a 18-9 lead, but were ahead just 35-27 in the third period. Goessel turned up its fast break and offensive rebounding, and Hiebert’s 8 fourth-quarter points secured the 13-point win.

Eden Hiebert added 8 points, and Olivia Duerksen and Abby Hannon each tallied 6.

The girls will put their 17-3 record and top seed on the line at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Little River in Goessel. The Bluebirds will be looking for their fourth win of the season over the Lady Redskins. Should Goessel advance to Saturday’s final, they would face the winner of the Rural Vista — Centre semifinal.