Homecoming 2026
Goessel Girls Basketball – @ Goessel v. Sedgwick Friday January 31, 2026
Goessel’s Lady Bluebirds put up one of their best shooting performances of this season tonight v. the visiting
Sedgwick Cardinals. In the first half, the Bluebirds had only one two point FG but finished with no less than five
long range shots to lead 20-14 at the half against the 2A (5-10) Cardinals. Overall on the night Goessel was 7
for 17 from beyond the arc (41%) and 15 for 21 from the charity stripe (71%). Goessel won three of four
quarters and kept the visitors at 10 or under each quarter. The visiting Cardinals had a FG % of 23% and FT %
of 47% on the night. Coach Hoopes identified quality ball handling, fewer turnovers and hitting free throws as
highlights of this contest. Goessel finished this homecoming matchup 44-34 to go to 9-5 on the season.
There was only one lead change in this one. Sedgwick scored quickly off the tip and jumped out to their
biggest lead of the night 0-4 a moment later. At 5:45, Delaney Duerksen buried one from very near where
celebrity homecoming guest Lynn “Weirdwolf” Schmidt was sitting. At 3:19 Mackenzie Voth put up a smooth
as silk finish from the corner that gave the Bluebirds the lead for good 6-4. From the very same corner,
Duerksen caught the well crafted pass, set and delivered yet another near perfect long range trey and
moments later in the same rotation, Hailey Rosfeld took her turn, hammering in another loft from downtown
to lead 12-4. Fans were looking around to see what talisman was in the house. The Cardinals clawed back in
it, going on a 5-0 run to leave it 12-9 at the end of the quarter. The student section was clad in orange safety
vests, there was even one orange cone costume amid many hard hats; the Blue Bird mascot was in the house.
Duerksen was on fire tonight from beyond the arc, starting the quarter by burying one from just off the
bluebird’s beak to lead 15-9. The 2 nd quarter was a defensive tussle, with teams exchanging free throws to go
to 18-12, with the Bluebirds going 3 for 4. As the quarter ended, Duerksen found Rosfeld open underneath for
the finish with four seconds left, the only 2 point field goal of the half for Goessel. Goessel won the defensive
2 nd 8-5 to lead 20-14 at the half.
Once again from the corner, Voth launched one that described a perfect arc, then Jayley Schmidt took her turn
from the top of the key, rollicking one in from so far back the Bluebird at center court batted an eye. 26-16. At
4:16, the Cardinals hit their only three of the night and surged to 26-23 before the Blue was able to sneak over
the top against the visitor’s press; Sofia Flores dropped in the lay up to go to 28-23 with 1:10 left. With 16 ticks
remaining, Claire Claassen fought hard underneath, was fouled and hit the back end of two ; the 9-10 quarter
ended 29-24. Sedgwick was able to cut it to two 29-27 on a free throw from Sophomore standout Ella
Vondracek. Cardinal Madyson Evans fouled out at 4:59. With the lid on the bucket, Goessel could not convert
FG’s but went to the line numerous times in the final stanza. After hearing “Go Big Blue” from the cheer team
and “Let’s Get Fired Up” including the giant blue flag, Schmidt hit Abi Johnson long for a great over the top
finish +1, a momentous FG finish that put the Blue up 33-27. Johnson put another key, swift and convincing
inside move to the bucket in the books and went up 35-29. With 2:14 left fouls stood at Goessel 1 and
Sedgwick 5. Goessel would go to the line five times down the stretch and converted 9 of 10 free throws to seal
this one. Sedgwick hit three of three from the line in the final minutes. The Bluebirds won the 4 th quarter 15-10
and finished the contest 44-34.
Mackenzie Voth led Goessel with 15 on the night (9 for 12 FT) and 5 boards. Delaney Duerksen scorched the
nets early and finished with 11 (100% 2/2 from FT); Duerksen was credited with 6 assists & 5 floor points.
Isabelle Alderfer had an outstanding night, pulling 10 rebounds and hitting two FT’s. Hailey Rosfeld and Abi
Johnson (perfect from FT) both had 5. Jayley Schmidt scored 3 (1/1 from 3 pt range), Claire Claassen and Sofia
Flores both finished with 2 on the night. Others on the floor tonight for the Bluebirds: Jenna Flaming, Nivea
Funk. For the visitors, Vondracek led with 21. Goessel (1A-I) goes to 9-5 and Sedgwick (2A) 5-10 on the
season.
-Karl Brubaker
