WORKin’ On the Railroad
Goessel Varsity Guys Basketball - v. Herington @ Herington February 8, 2019
At Herington Friday night, Goessel’s Dylan Lindeman lit it up, exploding for 20 points in the first half. The visiting Bluebirds left no doubt about this one, putting it away early with an 11-0 start and allowing no field goals for the last 13 minutes of the contest. Goessel hit five treys on the night, Lindeman finished with 28 and in running clock with all subs in for the 4th quarter the Bluebirds went home with the Wheat State League W 57-21.
At 7:25, the visiting cheering section exploded as one as Dylan hit from beyond the Goessel cheerleader section with a shot so smooth the bows on the Herington dance team “nodded.” Moments later Drew hit a long range effort that incredibly caused the “weight” section on the “wrestling” scoreboard to (momentarily) display Grandpa Larry’s weight at age 20, then at age 33. On a superb effort inside #33 found #20 for the lay-in plus one and Goessel got a 10 second count on the press off the score. Dylan forayed coast to coast to lead 11-0 and then followed a Ballesta miss with a put-back on the break. Herington called its 2nd timeout at 3:48 and it was 18-2. To close the ferocious first quarter, Goessel continued its hard Work of the night with a great give and go from Jerah to Jake Hiebert and Jake popped it in for two to go up 17-6 at the quarter.
Goessel got to the line twice and Dylan hit 3 of 4 to go to 20-8, then Drew followed a #20 miss and Skyler Wuest powered up underneath and went to the line as well. The Railers were able put up an occasional bucket, but at 3:10 it was “all she wrote” as Jake Hiebert launched one from near Junction City to lead 30-10. Miguel ambled for a fine runner close, Dylan socked in another, and then Hagewood went herky jerky floater for two more to go up 36-12. With the half closing and the Railer band launching into “I’ve been working on the Railroad” Dylan put one in from pretty near the locomotive’s headlight at center court to close the half 39-14. The half time dance routine was the highlight of the night for many in attendance.
Dylan put up his third giant trey of the night, this one rattling the impressive CVL picture display in one of the many long hallways at Herington’s joint HS, MS, ES complex. At 5:15 left in the third, Alexander tiptoed and let loose a prayer to take it to 43-19. Dylan dropped another finish in, Hagewood got 2 on a soft touch runner on the break, and Jake Hiebert polished off a nice finish. Herington used its 14th timeout at 2:04; Jerah dolloped in two charities after an excellent drive. Ballesta notched the 2nd of two crowd dazzling blocks tonight and followed a Hagewood effort back up for two more to extend to 53-19 to close the 14-5 quarter.
In running clock, Goessel’s subs came in to finish the contest. Wiens went to the line but could not connect and Nate Zogleman bounced a perfect in-pass to Wuest, who put it in off the glass and was fouled. The final quarter went 4-2 as Goessel held the Railers off the board for 11 minutes from midway through the 3rd quarter until very nearly the end of the game. Goessel allowed no field goals for a 13 minute period to close the contest. Goessel put a nice W in the Wheat State run with the 57-21 work. Truly, this period of WORKin’ on the Railroad was a needed respite from some other tough encounters.
Dylan Lindeman put on one of his best showings of the season in 3 quarters, scoring 20 in the first half and 8 in the 3rd quarter and a minute of the final quarter for 28. Drew Lindeman and Jake Hiebert each tallied 7, Skyler Wuest 5, Miguel Ballesta and Jake Hagewood each put up 4, and Jerah Schmidt 2 for the Bluebirds. Also playing were Zach Zogleman, Kale Funk. Nate Zogleman, Lucas Wiens, and Eddie Gaeddert.
-Karl Brubaker
