Goessel & Moundridge Play In Possible Final Game
Goessel Guys Basketball – Moundridge @ Goessel – January 26, 2024
Friday night, January 26, 2024 saw the Moundridge Wildcats in the Bluebird Nest for perhaps the last time in a few years. The long-standing rivalry between the local towns appears to be on the verge of being put on hold as the 2A Wildcat program continues to reach toward bigger school competition. Moundridge, ranked #5 (Kansas Basketball Coaches Association) in a very tough 2A universe, looks like it will be able to play with anyone in the region for a few years to come. Moundridge is in the Marion 2A sub-state this year with Ell-Saline (whom they lost to 57-62 last week) and Hillsboro. Goessel was overwhelmed by the Wildcat length and quick hands and emerged 23-61 despite fighting hard from start to finish. This year, Goessel will play in the Solomon 1A-I sub-state in late February, a group without a clear front-runner at this time. The Bluebirds are finishing January at 5-6.
The Wildcats showed strong in the first quarter, going up 0-27 on five deep treys and excellent attacking offense. The Bluebirds were no match for the top to bottom height differential. With second team subs in the 2nd quarter, Goessel was able to create a bit of shooting space. At 6:52 Noah Schrag found the range from across Emma Creek to go to 3-29, then stroked another dazzling long trey at 6:20. At 4:15, in front of the student section, he put up another effort with so much authority, it caused Coach Kanitz to immediately talk to his starting five at 9-32. Jack Nickel was credited with an excellent stop on Dixon in the paint; the Wildcat first team came back in at 4:28. Chevy Gagnon pulled two O boards one after another, something that required incredible effort tonight. The 2nd quarter finished 9-13 and it was 9-40 at the half.
At 5:08, Schrag launched his 4th trey of the night, this one so spectacular Mitch Holthus exclaimed a Blue aside at a Chiefs event in Overland Park and coincidentally caused Jason Kelce to put a blue #4 shirt on, not take his shirt off. 12-44. In a highlight sequence for the night, Goessel got a steal, pitched to Javin Schmidt, who slid a shovel to Schrag for one of the Bluebird’s best of the night. 14-48. The 2nd team was in again at 3:03; at 1:15 Schrag put up his 5th and final three of the night, this one so deep Eli Boden (who did a great job on the national anthem tonight) burst forth in another baritone solo…… “One 4 the money…….to get ready…. and Go Schrag Go.” It was 18-56 to close the 9-16 3rd quarter.
In this historical perhaps rivalry closing event, the 4th quarter played in running clock. Goessel’s cheer team led in “Up Up With Bluebird Pride.” Wade Spurlin had the offensive move of the night with an NBA frolic to the glass, going up against two Wildcats and dropping in a spectacular finish high off the board for 2 +1 to stay at 21-56. Moments later, Spurlin bounced inside to a streaking Koy Smith for an extremely nifty lay up but that is all she wrote and this one finished 5-5 in the 4th and closed out 23-61.
Noah Schrag again had a stellar night for Goessel, finishing with 18 of Goessel’s 23. Wade Spurlin notched three points and Koy Smith finished with 2. Also giving their best against the Wildcats were: Jake Flaming, Jack Nickel, Javin Schmidt and Chevy Gagnon. In for the final stanza were: Trey Gaddis, Evan Walker, Adam Wonser and Luke Stucky.
-Karl Brubaker
