By DELBERT PETERS

Sports writer

The Goessel High School boy’s basketball team began the season against the 3A Northern Heights Wildcats by outscoring their opponent in every quarter enroute to a 52-39 win.

The game was close throughout the first quarter and Chad Wedel hit the only 3-pointer of the game to give the Bluebirds an 11-8 lead.

Goessel led by as many as 14 in the second quarter but a flurry of points from the Wildcats created a halftime score of 28-21.

The Bluebird defense only allowed four points in the third period as Goessel stretched its lead, 35-25, at the end of three periods. The Goessel team connected on 11 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter to maintain the lead and win the game, 52-39.

“Our defense allowed us to overcome 18 turnovers,” coach Justin Coup said.

Weston Hiebert was 7-of-7 from the field and ended the night with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Chad Wedel scored 11 points going 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Aaron Reimer tossed in 10 points with nine rebounds.

Scoring for the Goessel boys were Hiebert 18, Wedel 11, Reimer 10, Bryant Miller 8, Trey Schmidt and Neal Brubaker 2 each and Issac Fast 1 point.

Goessel will take its 1-0 record into the Bluebird Classic on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. The boys varsity games begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. Saturday’s game will depend on the wins during the first two nights.

See the school Web site for details www.usd411.org.