Strong 1st Quarter From Bluebirds
Goessel Guys Basketball – @ Goessel v. Elyria Christian Tuesday February 10, 2026
Goessel hosted Elyria Christian tonight in a season that is unique for the Eagles; Elyria has played many of its home games this year at Goessel due to water damage on their home court. The Eagles have played a very tough schedule and are at 10-10 on the year. The Bluebirds put up an incredible effort in the first quarter tonight, with cheer team, fan and band support. It was “red, white and blue” night for the Goessel student section.
Despite going 0-5 to start, at 6:18 Senior Trey Gaddis dropped a trademark twisting drive to the bucket in to go to 2-5, then a moment later Junior Brayton Base followed off the glass to return to 4-5. At 4:48, Gaddis set and delivered from somewhere south of the new pickle ball court at West Branch Park to knot at 7 and then picked off the Eagle ball-handler to go coast to coast for two more. The Bluebird Coliseum lit up pretty much like Allen Field House after the recent Arizona upset. At 2:35, Freshman Tanner Unruh put up a smooth as silk trey from the top of the arc. Nothing but net! The biggest lead of the night for Goessel 12-9 would be short-lived but it provided an excellent bedrock for needed dreaming of future year possibilities. Congratulations to the Blue for a great effort! The excellent first quarter effort ended 12-15.
The Eagle ball-handlers and shooters appeared to realize that the Bluebirds came to play. The 2nd quarter saw a barrage of long range and inside moves from the visitors and this one quickly went south. Before you could say “Romero” it was 21-38 at the half. The 9-23 quarter saw highlight put backs (+1), a FT and a short jumper from Unruh, who showed tonight what his potential may be going forward. Gaddis launched from so far back at the buzzer all fans in attendance simply had to react in awe and amazement.
Unruh caught an inbounds pass and put up a well-executed jumper to go 23-44. At 6:01 Gaddis was called for his 4th personal and unfortunately reacted, resulting in his 5th personal on a technical. Senior Levi Schrag put up a zinger runner and Base got his own rolling stroke to fall off the glass to end the 3rd quarter 27-59. The cheer team led in “Go Big Blue” at the break. Fans were in awe of an errant purple shoe at the top of the key throughout an entire offensive sequence. Base was credited with a huge charge taken, with #1 run over by #1 Romero. Down the floor the next time, Eagle scoring leader Romero fouled out at 5:40. At 29-59 in running clock all subs were in at 5:25. Kreed Smith popped a short jumper, Sophomore AJ Hagewood scored on a very nifty inside feed and Base added one more charity as Goessel won the 4th quarter 5-2. This one ended at 32-61.
Tanner Unruh led Goessel with 11, the Freshman’s best outing of this season. Trey Gaddis put up 10, all in the first half, with Kreed Smith adding 4 and Brayton Base 3. Levi Schrag and AJ Hagewood each added 2. Also in for Goessel were: Xavier Garcia, Anthony Boden, Noah Johnson, Kalan Stephens and Aiden Duerksen.
Goessel will host Herington on Friday for Senior Night. Seniors include Trey Gaddis, Anthony Boden, Levi Schrag, and Aiden Duerksen.
-Karl Brubaker
