Senior Night 2019
Goessel Varsity Guys Basketball - v. Berean Academy @ Goessel February 15, 2019
Goessel’s Bluebird Seniors were recognized tonight along with their parents. Players and parents from all other grades were also recognized separately. Seniors Drew Lindeman, Zach Zogleman, and Malachi Lewis have all made significant contributions to many Bluebird activities and athletics and to the Bluebird basketball team. Congratulations to these fine young men and best wishes in whatever steps are next in your lives.
It’s been a topsy-turvy year in local KSHSAA school classifications. Long term fans inevitably appear puzzled when they are told that in 18-19 Goessel and Hillsboro are 2A and Berean , Moundridge, and Little River are 1A. Making the equation even more interesting is that the afore-mentioned Berean and Moundridge teams will appear in the “re-instated” integrated (1A now one group instead of two) regional/sub-state 1A structure competing together at the 1A Moundridge Regional along with Elyria Christian. It looks now as if the Goessel teams may both be starting in 2A sub-state at Allen-Northern Heights at their location, possibly on the same night.
Thanks also to Goessel cheer team Seniors Hailey Shipp, Layci Froese, and Julianna Schrag for their leadership and great work in continuing a fine Bluebird tradition. A highlight of Senior night was the cheer team joining the three dozen young persons from the recent cheer clinic. Before the game, having the cheer clinic participants chanting “Go Big Blue” in rhythm along with the band on “Sunshine of Your Love” had to be a highlight only possible in Bluebird land. At half time, the cheer clinic participants highlighted their enjoyment with “Good Golly Miss Molly.”
Tonight, Goessel’s Bluebirds took on long term Heart of America rival Berean Academy. Berean is currently ranked #6 in the 1A KBCA poll and is a very physical, athletic squad with a strong defensive attitude and deep bench. Goessel’s Bluebirds came out of the chute with great fire despite going down 0-4 to start. Drew Lindeman found an open Dylan Lindeman underneath against the Warrior man to man for two, then Jake Hiebert added a great foray in the paint for two more to knot at 4-4. Drew put on a perfect defensive effort in zone, slapping a Vogt effort into the next county, then down the floor stopped and popped for a 12 footer to keep it at 6-8. Berean keeps the pressure D in place all game and substitutes freely and interchangeably. Skyler Wuest used a great ball fake to get to the line and hit the front end, then Jake Hagewood used a crazy train drive through nearly the entire Warrior defense to get one off the glass that looked like some sort of NBA dunk contest without the dunk. Dylan’s half court buzzer beater attempt rang off the rim to close the intense and competitive first quarter 9-9. Fans were ready to call it a night, let it remain a tie and head home for some hot chocolate.
In the 2nd half, the Warriors switched on their defense into DefCon 3 and swarmed the Bluebird offensive efforts, keeping the home team off the board until the 3:57 mark, when Wuest got the best of his man inside. With the fouls at Berean 8 and Goessel 3, the Bluebirds went to the line four times but could only convert one from Dylan; the Warriors took over with transition buckets, rapid fire ball movement, and points off turnovers to lead 12-27 at the half. It was the same story after the half time break. Goessel was held to zero field goals the entire 3rd quarter until Dylan found the range with the only three of the night for Goessel with 15 seconds left after the Warriors pulled back to zone. 16-45. In running clock in the 4th quarter, the home team was unable to score and this one finished 16-55.
Dylan led tonight with 6, Skyler put up 3, Drew, Jake and Jake each had 2 and Jerah added 1. Also on the floor were: Zach Zogleman, Kale Funk, Nate Zogleman, Luke Wiens, and Eddie Gaeddert.
-Karl Brubaker
