Goessel boys defeat Little River, 61-46 years ago
Girls suffer disappointing loss to Little River, 58-24
The week started with a basketball game on Monday night with Little River and the Goessel boys had a solid game, winning 61-46.
Goessel knocked down three three-point field goals in the first quarter, jumping out to a 15-7 lead. The Bluebirds were in control in the second quarter as well, going into half-time ahead 28-15.
Remembering some disappointing losses after building a lead, the Bluebirds still led by 41-30 points at the end of the third period. Although the Bluebirds only hit 5 of 10 free-throws in the fourth quarter, they were able to stay in control winning by a score of 61-46.
Tyler Schroeder led a balanced attack with 12 points, followed by Garrett Hiebert and Jordan Voth with 11 each; Ryan Janzen added 10; Brett Goerzen, nine; Justin Fensky, five; and Travis Buller three.
Friday's game at home with Berean seemed to be the opposite of Monday's game. Goessel trailed the highly ranked team from Elbing 15-8 at the end of the first period and were still behind 27-19 at the half.
The Bluebirds could only score six points in the third period and lost by a final score of 54-37.
Goessel hit 10 of 12 free-throws but committed 18 turnovers in the game. Buller led the team in scoring with 11, followed by Hiebert and Schroeder with six points each; Janzen, five; Voth, four; Goerzen, three; and Jake Meeks, two.
The boys' record is now 5-13 overall and 1-8 in the league. Goessel will host the 1A regional tournament the week of Feb. 21.
Girls
Little River arrived in Goessel on Monday to play a game that had been scheduled in January. The Redskins outscored the Bluebirds in every quarter, coasting to a 58-24 victory. The Bluebirds trailed at the end of each quarter 20-4, 33-6, and 50-17.
Senior Candice Bailey led the scoring for the Bluebirds with 12 points. Korey Hiebert added four points, Courtney Berkholz and Linessa Duerksen each had three points, and Renee Fensky made two points.
Heavy snowfall caused Tuesday's game with Canton-Galva to be postponed to Thursday. The Bluebirds got off to a great start leading by 10 points at the end of the first quarter. But the Eagles made up the whole deficit by half-time and had the score tied 27-27.
Canton Galva pulled out to a four-point lead by the next break and Goessel could not score enough points to get ahead. The Bluebirds lost by a score of 52-48.
Berkholz and Hiebert led all scorers with 16 points apiece. Candice Bailey added five points and a quintet of Bluebirds had two points each: Trenae Wilson, Duerksen, Felicia Goertzen and Brittany Dirksen. Katie Flaming added a free throw.
On Friday, Goessel came up short again in a home contest with Berean. The Bluebirds out scored the Warriors in the second half but lost 45-41 in the HOA contest.
The Bluebirds put Berean on the free-throw line 36 times and the Warriors made 16 of them. Goessel made 8 of 18 free throws.
The Bluebirds trailed 11-6 at the end of first quarter and the Warriors extended that lead 23-13 by halftime. Goessel scored 15 points in the third period, but closed the gap by three points 35-28. Berean only scored one field goal in the fourth period, but made eight points from the free throw line and the Bluebirds lost by a score of 45-41.
Berkholz paced the Bluebirds with 12 points, followed by Hiebert with 11. Kara Klassen added seven points, Wilson and Duerksen each had four, and Bailey ended the night with three points.
Goessel will end the regular season at home with Hope on Tuesday and travel to Ell Saline on Friday. The girls are now 8-10 overall and 2-7 in the league.
