Boys' team wins one, loses one
By DELBERT PETERS
Contributing writer
The Goessel High School boys' basketball team lost their third league game Tuesday to the undefeated Berean Warriors, 56-48.
The Bluebirds could not find their shooting stroke, and a late rally did not materialize.
Both teams were cold in the first half as Berean broke out to a 20-14 lead in the second quarter. The Bluebirds took a lead at 23-22 on six free throws from Kent Peters and a three-pointer for Aaron Stehman.
Goessel bounced to a 31-26 lead early in the third quarter, but the Warriors led at the end of the third 35-33. With 1:32 to play in the fourth quarter, Berean earned a nine-point lead, and, in spite of struggling offensively, Goessel's defense helped them get as close as 52-48 before the Warriors sealed the victory with four free throws.
Scoring for Goessel were Peters with 15, Clinton Plenert with 12, Stehman nine, Jeremy Voth seven, Jesse Goertzen three, and Ryan Janzen two.
Last Friday, Goessel defeated Central Christian in overtime 61-56. The team fought hard to come from behind.
The Cougars hit five three-pointers in the first half and connected on none in the third and fourth quarters as the Goessel players got a hand in the face of the shooters.
In a low scoring first quarter, Goessel led 6-5, then trailed 25-19 at halftime.
Central pulled out to a 36-21 lead with 2:30 to play in the third quarter. Then the Bluebirds began to rebound with authority and play team defense as they tied the game 51-51 with nine seconds in the third.
Trailing by five with 2:40 left in the game, Stehman got a key steal and found Goertzen slashing for the basket for a lay-up. With less than a minute to play the Bluebirds were still four points behind, but Voth worked his way inside for a high percentage shot.
Central made two free throws, but on the next trip down the floor, Goertzen connected on his third three-pointer to get the score to 48-49.
The Cougars made two free throws with 28 seconds left. Goessel brought the ball down the floor looking for an open shot with nine seconds left, Plenert stepped out and make his second three pointer of the game to tie at 51-51.
Central called time out and put the ball in the hands of senior guard Tyler Stutzman with nine seconds. Peters prevented him from looking for a three and then forced him into a spin move at the free throw line and an off-balance shot that did not go in at the buzzer.
During overtime, Goessel rebounded well on the Cougars' missed shots and connected on six of seven free throws to pull out an overtime win.
"This season we have never played with this much team camaraderie," coach Justin Coup said.
Scoring for the team were Voth with 19 points, Plenert with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Peters and Goertzen with 11 each, and Ben Schmidt and Stehman with two each.
The boys are now 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the league. The team will be at home Friday and play in the Canton tournament next week.
