Lady Bluebirds Move To 8-6
Bluebirds Move to 8-6
Goessel Basketball – @ Peabody v. Wichita Defenders Monday, February 3, 2025
In an unusual mix of date, location and opponent, Goessel faced the Wichita Defenders at Peabody on a
Monday night. Igniting with more points on the board each quarter, Seniors Abbigail and Brooklyn Wuest as
well as Freshman Delaney Duerksen led the way tonight, putting up 42 of the Bluebirds’ 47. After a slow 5-7
first quarter, it was 16-11 at the half and the contest closed out at 47-36.
Against the Defenders’ woman to woman coverage to start, Abbigail launched one so sumptuous it made Larry
Lindeman’s moustache turn a brilliant shade of pale. 3-0. The Defenders knotted it at 5-5, one of only two ties
in the contest. On an inbounds set, Brooklyn poured one in inside but the Blue could gain no traction the rest
of the quarter and the first stanza closed 5-7. Goessel retook the lead at 7:44 on another spectacular bomb
from Abbigail 8-7 and Goessel got several great stops down the floor, topped off by a gigantic front court steal
from Logan Bryant. Goessel showed nice bounces inside to Wuest who finished for two more for the 12-9
lead. Duerksen pounded it inside very much like Caiden in his golden years for the 14-9 lead. Brooklyn found
paydirt on Triple Big to lead 16-11 at the half. The 11-4 2 nd quarter was a superb up-tempo effort for Goessel.
The 3rd quarter started slow, with Bryant hitting the back end of two charities and highlighted by Delaney
getting to the line on a fast as lightning break. Abbigail caressed one in from 10 feet to lead 20-16 and Coach
Hoopes called time at 4:32. There was suddenly something in the air and the pace ignited going both ways.
Delaney finished a “money” ball but the Defenders tossed up several prayers that absolutely had no arc on
them but still went in, kind of like catching giant butterflies on a science field trip. It was 22-22 when Wuest
went hard to the hoop and put the Blue up 24-22. Goessel called time again at 1:22 and this break really
juiced the Bluebirds’ feathers. Duerksen brought every fan in attendance to their feet (even the PB band) with
an outstanding reverse layup, then the Bluebirds flew with three more buckets to punch it to 30-22. The
entertaining 3 rd quarter (14-11) ended at 30-24.
Goessel upped the ante even more in the final stanza. The Defenders hung on, making it a game all the way
down the stretch. Ball handler Strain hit two key buckets to draw to 36-30. Steady Bluebird scoring came from
Duerksen, Funk and Wuest to maintain a spread of 4-6. With 2:50 remaining, Strain was called for her 4 th and
just 21 ticks later fouled out. The Defenders fouled but Goessel was able to stay steady at the charity stripe,
going 5 for 6 to close out the contest 47-36.
Delaney Duerksen led the Bluebird scoring tonight with 15 and 3 steals. Brooklyn Wuest put up 14, scoring
every quarter with key buckets in the paint and was a perfect 2/2 from the line. Wuest was also credited with 6
deflections. Abbigail Funk had two giant threes (50% from 3FG range) and finished with 13 along with 3 steals.
Goessel hit for 40% from 2FG range, Aimee Funk put up 3 and Logan Bryant 1 on the night. Goessel committed
14 turnovers to the opponents’ 19. Also in were Isabelle Alderfer and Hailey Rosfeld. Goessel moves to 8-6
with the win.
-Karl Brubaker
