Bluebirds Defeat Warriors
Goessel Guys Varsity Basketball December 20, 2019 Peabody Burns Warriors @ Goessel
The first quarter of this game was a pitcher’s duel enigma inside a defensive coordinator’s imagination. Neither team could find openings in the harrowing first four minutes of action. Goessel called time at 4:07 knotted at 0-0. To the fans’ raucous cheers of “Let’s get fired up!” Sophomore Caiden Duerksen stepped up to lead 2-0, but this one really didn’t get rolling until Q2. Skylar Wuest got another nice finish and Jake Hagewood bulled in for two more, then got the continuation call to close the quarter 9-2.
With front court pressure and big wingspans, vacuum cleaner hands and savvy board capture, the Bluebirds began to run in the 2nd quarter. Things edged a bit testy as a Peabody player was whistled at 7:02 for a technical foul. Goessel converted several steals, and Lindeman simply over-powered on two inside moves. Hagewood had a very nifty dead stop break lay-up and Jake Hiebert cavorted on two breaks with reverse finishes to lead 22-4. Jerah Schmidt led Hiebert on one break with a scintillating end zone pass. Wuest went to the bank from the top of the key, the only trey ball of the night for Goessel, to lead 25-6 and Schmidt scored on back to back efforts, one a trademark +1 finish against taller trees; guaranteed to bring the entire home cheering section to their collective feet. Nate Zogleman finished the half but not before the Warriors had slipped in three long balls of their own. 32-15.
With an absolutely rowdy student section bedecked with lights, jester hats, golden satin leggings, Christmas tree ensembles, and all colors imaginable, the cheer team and the band led a giant semester end Winter Solstice crowd in a great and enjoyable evening. Many alumni took this chance to return and the cheerleaders led the mini cheer clinic participants in several crowd pleasing renditions. “All I want for Christmas…is…..” Santa Claus made an appearance to sweep the floor. In the 3rd quarter, the visiting fans did not seem to appreciate Goessel going to the line 14 times. The Bluebirds salted away 11 free throws to the dismay of the visitors’ student section. Lindeman was perfect at the line going 7 for 7 during the 3rd. Goessel scored three field goals and 10 charities and held the Warriors to 3. The quarter finished 16-3 and it was 48-18 to enter the 4th. In running clock, Hagewood finished a nice push inside, Hiebert went 2 for 4 from the stripe, then galloped in for yet another fine shot. Wuest got two on a fine move to the bucket with all subs in after the 2:32 mark, then Kale Funk collected one point on the back end of two FT’s to close this one out 57-22. Congratulations Bluebirds on this first Wheat State League win! Pound the Stone!
Dylan Lindeman finished with 16 to lead all scorers. His entire point production was in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Jake Hagewood has produced some hard-nosed points this year so far, contributing big time at both ends Tonight he notched 11. Jake Hiebert showed explosive on offense and put up 8 . Both Caiden Duerksen and Skylar Wuest continue to be huge contributors on both ends of the floor; each added 6 in tonight’s effort. Jerah Schmidt has been quiet on offense, but his steady eye and mighty defense will continue to pay valuable dividends for this team. Jerah punched in 6 against the Warriors. Nate Zogleman had a frustrating shooting night but added 3 and Kale Funk rounded out the Bluebird scoring with 1. This is a well-balanced, deep Bluebird squad, poised to emerge as a top-tier threat to any Wheat State League team; the jury is still out as to whether the team can or will push any other boundaries. The stone will need further pounding to discover what treasure will take shape. Tonight, also seeing action were: Luke Wiens, Eddie Gaeddert, and Dawson Stutzman.
-Karl Brubaker
