Goessel wins pair over Rural Vista
Staff writer
Goessel’s boys raced to victory while the girls persevered in a tight game Friday against Rural Vista.
After visiting Solomon on Tuesday, the Bluebirds will play at home Friday against Canton-Galva.
Girls
Rural Vista hit the first basket of the game, but Goessel grabbed the lead with three-pointer by Kaleigh Guhr and steal and layup by Cheyenne Sawyer.
After Braylyn Hoopes scored five points for Goessel, the Bluebirds led 12-4 — their biggest lead of the game, but the Heat slowly chipped away, trimming Goessel’s lead to just one point at halftime.
The lead changed several times early in the third quarter with Rural Vista gaining a 32-29 advantage with 2:40 to go in the third quarter.
The Bluebirds picked up the intensity on defense and went on a 9-0 run to end the period. Scoring came from Emily Flaming, Guhr, Hoopes and Sawyer.
Rural Vista again tied the game at 40. A basket by Rachael Zogleman and a free-throw from Guhr gave the Bluebirds a 45-42 lead with a minute left in the game.
The Heat connected on three of four free throws to tie the game. Goessel then exhibited good ball movement, and Lyna Lehrman dropped in a high percentage shot with 19 seconds to play.
The Bluebird defense kept the Heat from scoring and Goessel was content to consume precious seconds with a precarious two point lead.
Guhr was fouled and connected on one free-throw with six seconds left in the game. Goessel survived the Wheat State League game with a final score of 48-45.
Sawyer was the leading scorer with 14. Guhr had 11.
The Bluebirds are now 1-0 in league games and 4-2 overall.
Boys
Steals and layups described the first six minutes of Friday night’s game at Goessel.
The Bluebirds jumped out to a 17-2 lead against Rural Vista in a Wheat State League contest. The first quarter ended with Goessel ahead 21-8. The Bluebirds continued to dominate with a 41-11 score at halftime.
The Heat narrowed the gap by going on an 11-6 run to start the third quarter, but Goessel pushed the lead to 59-24 at the end of the third quarter, prompting a running clock for the fourth quarter. The game ended with a final score of 63-24.
Caleb Burkholder led the Bluebirds with 14 points followed by Caiden Duerksen with 13 and Jacob Schrag with 10.
The boys are now 2-0 in Wheat State League games and 6-1 overall.