Goessel Classic Tuesday
Goessel Guys Basketball – @ Goessel v. Canton-Galva Eagles Tuesday December 9, 2025
Goessel has hosted its Classic now for 19 straight years. The event has evolved into a high profile small school tourney with several local participants with state potential participating each year. The 2025 Classic guys side features Little River (#6 KBCA 1A Div I), Central Christian (#3 KBCA 1A Div II) , Elyria Christian (#4 KBCA 1A Div II) and Canton-Galva (#9 KBCA 1A Div I). Goessel’s guys this year were thrust up against local rival Canton-Galva in the 2nd day Tuesday round – the Eagles played Monday night as well, winning against a tough Linn squad 59-57.
This was an imbalanced contest, with the visiting Eagles big, deep, and athletic. Goessel’s Bluebirds in 25-26 will be challenged to put too many wins on the board. Tonight’s effort, however, was extraordinary against the visiting Eagles and Coach Guhr looked at many positives as the team continues its best efforts. With the Eagle press creating havoc for the Bluebirds, it was 8-25 after the first stanza. Goessel led 2-0 with a great feed from point guard Sophomore Kreed Smith underneath to sliding Junior Brayton Base for a nifty lay-in. Just like finding a wide receiver open and threading the needle between two hulking corners. Within a few minutes, however, it was 2-18 before Sophomore AJ Hagewood forayed to the hoop, was fouled, and hit the front end to go to 3-18. At 1:40, the Eagles were whistled for #5 and Base went to the line to go to 4-20. The Eagles pulled the press at 4-21. Once again, Smith found Senior Levi Schrag streaking to the bucket and hit him right on the numbers with an incredulous “67” play pass and it was 6-23. To end the quarter, Freshman Tanner Unruh caught the in pass in the paint and bounced to Levi (“Travis Kelce”) Schrag who laid it in expertly off the glass and this quarter ended 8-25.
Kreed Smith likely would have received a “quarterback rating” in excess of 120 if such a thing existed in this three minute sequence. The crowd responded with understated awe as he hit Schrag again with a low trajectory inside left handed english zinger, caught in rhythm for yet another score to pull within 15 at 10-25. The visitors went on a long range tear, however, and it was 11-36 before you could say “Kustom.” Goessel had several nice defensive stands and Schrag was credited with a great steal toward the end of the quarter. Senior Trey Gaddis bounced to Unruh, he was fouled and converted 1 of 2. Down the floor the next time, Unruh turned and floated a baseline 10 footer to close the 6-12 2nd quarter at 14-37.
The second half started at 9:37 pm, past many fans’ bedtime. Highlights from the quarter included Base taking his 2nd charge of the night. He has had a near football week after being landed on by a 6’-7” 250 lb. Marion forward on Friday night. Running clock began at 16-46. Schrag followed his own miss and passed to Base for two and Unruh had a great put back and this one ended at 21-53. In the 4th quarter, CG put their 2nd team in at 6:07 and third team at 2:00. Goessel put in its 2nd team at 2:05. This contest ended at 23-59.
Levi Schrag notched an excellent night, leading the Blue with 8 and Brayton Base put up 7. Unruh scored 5 and Smith, Gaddis, and Hagewood each put 1 in the books. Junior Kustom Schamp led Canton Galva with 26, more than the entire Bluebird team. Also on the floor for Goessel were Freshman Xavier Garcia, Senior Anthony Boden, Freshman Noah Johnson, and Sophomore Ezekiel Guhr. Goessel will face a strong Linn squad on Friday.
-Karl Brubaker
