Fire! Works
Goessel Guys Varsity Basketball v. Canton-Galva Eagles 2016 Bluebird Classic Friday, Dec. 9, 2016
Goessel used an absolutely incendiary 4th quarter to come back from a 10 point deficit at the half and secure a spot in the 3rd place game tomorrow night. Scoring nearly as many points (22) in the 4th as the other three quarters combined and keeping the visiting Eagles off the scoreboard for nearly the entire 4th quarter created fireworks from north to south and east to west. AD Lightner may have to arrange for some post-game lights in the sky going forward if this performance can be re-created. Down 27-33 after three, Wiens stroked a three to start the 4th, but then the ‘Birds went on their 17-2 tear, allowing just two free throws until the 0:54 mark. At 44-38 with time running out, the Eagles attempted a desperation press and closed to 46-42, but Goessel closed the contest out with 5 for 7 charity shooting and the game finished 49-42.
Three of four lead changes occurred in the 1st stanza. Josh Schmidt hit Jordan Griffin for a solid turn in the paint to start. Canton-Galva went up 2-4 on the break, but Dylan Lindeman answered with a pretty floater, then #20 found nothing but net from the corner at the “magic place” where KU and KSU blend into perfect symmetry. The Eagles ambled into a zone after starting in man; Goessel stayed in man most of the contest. Three visitor buckets took it to 7-11, then Rhett Makovec stroked one to close to 9-11 at the quarter.
Off another over the top assist from Schmidt, Griffin slathered one in to knot at 11 but the Blue could not get over the hump and the Eagles soared with a 14-5 second quarter. Josh sniffed a pretty steal, went coast to coast, let the pursuing Eagle wings fly past at full stop, and laid it in. Lindeman hit 2 of 2 charities but the 15-25 halftime deficit left some less than dedicated fans an excuse to go home. Their loss.
Fans reported tremors in the NE part of the building. Turns out it was a firm decibel voice appeal from Coach Guhr to increase the intensity. The Bluebird defensive intensity was turned up so high several popcorn bags caught on fire. The Bluebirds’ wingspan, hustle, bite, and touch caused at least 4 Eagle miscues in the 3rd and laid the groundwork for the explosive 4th. Makovec stroked one from beyond Myron Schmidt’s Hole #3, then down the floor the next time, Josh rippled one in from McPherson County to close to 21-25. Carson Sterk pulled a great offensive board, went up tough and was fouled for a key sequence. Canton Galva called time at 4:32. In a back and forth, the teams traded pushes and the Eagles hit four charities to lead 24-33. With time running out, Trevor Beisel set and delivered an incredible three from so far out it changed time zones. The huge effort to close the 12-8 quarter at 27-33 buoyed the Blue and set the tone for the final stanza.
To start, Senior Wiens quieted the Bluebird fans with a three from the corner. Immediately, Beisel launched yet another perfect arc-missile, this one slapping a high five to all the Goessel Buddies . The fans erupted as the home team closed to 30-36. Pearson hit a FT, then down the floor Josh came into the lane in mesmerizing de-crescendo. With his 5’6” stretched out horizontally, he took the two biggest strides of his lustrous career and went from the three point line to nearly the base of the lane. Fans researching after the contest were able to find evidence of Bigfoot AND M. Jordan genes in the Schmidt DNA. Fortunately, the Senior was fouled in the full stretch but, importantly, it was foul #4 and #22 Pearson hit the bench. The paint was open for Jordan who hit a key follow to close to 33-37. Eagle timeout at 4:23. #30 Pearson went down with an apparent ankle injury. Out of nowhere, Schmidt flamed down the sideline with a trademark breakaway steal for two and a 35-37 score. The next time down the floor, Beisel caught the lateral pass, bounced up, hung in the air for so long there was time for a full cheer. With his legs flexing like a magnificent blue frog, the Senior floated a 12 footer that….hit nothing but net! Tied 37-37. With 2:03 left, Lindeman set from the left flank and absolutely buried one in “cool as ice” fashion for the 2nd lead of the night 40-37. Goessel was able to sensationally defend down to the 0:58 mark with the Eagles hitting no field goals between 7:30 and 0:45 . Timeout at 0:54. At 44-40, the Eagles went to foul mode; Schmidt hit two in 1-1 mode. Canton went to a full court look and Goessel threw long out of the timeout. Lindeman was fouled, got an extra chance on a lane violation. Hunter Pearson fouled out with 1.5 seconds and Jordan stroked one more charity to win the contest 49-42. The positively incredible 22-9 4th quarter shows that the Bluebirds are truly capable of breathing fire. Goessel advances to the third place game on Saturday against Burrton. Congratulations on this win!
Dylan Lindeman tallied 14 for the Bluebirds tonight including two huge threes and 6 for 7 from the line. Josh Schmidt was in double digits also with 10. Rhett Makovec added 9 in the balanced scoring night. Trevor Beisel came off the bench for 8 crucial points in the 2nd half including two stupendous treys and an unbelievable jumper in the fourth. Jordan Griffin added 7 with pushes in the paint and Carson Sterk contributed a free throw to round out the scoring for Goessel. Also in the game was Miguel Guerrero.
Karl Brubaker
