Lady Bluebirds 4th In Classic
Goessel Basketball – @ Goessel v. Central Christian Saturday, December 14, 2024
In today’s 3 rd place game, Goessel’s girls’ basketball team (winners over Canton-Galva but lost to Little River)
faced Central Christian, who had won over Elyia Christian but lost to Linn earlier in the week. The home team
was never ahead tonight and could gain no traction against the constant Cougar quick hands. A disastrous
Bluebird third quarter put this one away for Central Christian and the contest ended 29-53.
Smothering quick hands and trapping ¾ court defense was too much for Goessel, who tallied over 20 turnovers
on the night. It was 4:00 until the Bluebirds could light up the scoreboard on a finish from Logan Bryant. At
1:44 Aimee Funk found the range from beyond the arc to stay at 4-10, and a minute later Delaney Duerksen
smoked one in from outside the arc to come within 2, 8-10. Abigail Johnson went to the line but could not tie
it up and the quarter ended 8-12. Goessel was able to keep it close in the 2 nd on a coast to coast finish from
Duerksen, a gorgeous baseline reverse layup from #10 (12-14) and a follow at 4:30 from Brooklyn Wuest kept it
tight at 14-16. Turnovers plagued the Bluebirds and the half ended 14-22.
Out of the break, Sophomore ball handler Avery Kauffman lit it up from downtown with two big treys to take it
quickly to 14-28. Despite getting the fourth foul on 5’11” Swanson, Goessel could not get her to foul out.
Turnovers plagued the Bluebirds and Goessel could not get to the free throw line tonight. It was not until 1:18
in the third quarter that Goessel had a score of any type, almost a full 10 minute scoring drought (4:30 in 2 nd
quarter until 1:18 in the 3rd quarter). Logan Bryant put back a follow to close the disastrous 4-18 3rd quarter
at 18-40, closing all hopes of a Bluebird comeback.
Duerksen collected a great steal to start the 4 th and Bryant finished to return to 20-40. At 6:00 Abbigail went
2/2 from the line and Brooklyn was credited with a fabulous block on #4. At 4:14, Duerksen put a laser arc in
from so far back the whole Duerksen / Schmidt back row rose as one with a huge Christmas type declaration.
25-46. Kauffman put up yet another trey, both benches cleared at 3:44, Goessel got a nice in-pass from Jayley
Schmidt to Wuest for two more, and Hailey Rosfeld coasted in another nice 10-footer to close this one out at
29-53. Goessel had lost every quarter tonight despite holding close in the first half.
The Bluebirds win 4th place in the Bluebird Classic this year!
Delaney Duerksen led the Bluebird scoring tonight with 10. Logan Bryant finished with 6, Brooklyn Wuest and
Hailey Rosfeld each had 4, Aimee Funk had 3 and Abbigail Funk 2. Abbigail was a perfect 2/2 from the free
throw line. Also on the floor tonight for Goessel were: Jayley Schmidt, Abigail Johnson, Jenna Flaming, and
Claire Claassen.
-Karl Brubaker
