Senior Night 2026
Goessel Guys Basketball – @ Goessel v. Herington Friday February 13, 2026
On Senior Night 2026, we recognize those who have contributed to team, school, and community. Seniors Trey Gaddis, Anthony Boden, Levi Schrag, and Aiden Duerksen from the basketball team and Elly Mai, Aida Hartvickson, and Emilia Unruh from the cheer team as well as manager Trevor Schmidt were recognized between the girls and guys game tonight. Thank you for your many contributions to Goessel!
Herington’s guys team has been difficult to decipher this year. They have been beaten twice by Peabody-Burns and have only defeated Wakefield twice, yet seem to have the personnel to have more wins. There would be three lead changes tonight; Goessel led by as many as three. In a hard fought push to the bucket, Freshman Tanner Unruh took the ‘Birds up 2-0, then Senior Trey Gaddis showed “trey” as he hit with his trailing foot seemingly suspended in the student section to lead 5-2. Down the floor the next time, Junior Brayton Base put up a smooth as silk 10 footer and Senior Levi Schrag cajoled a perfect runner off the glass to lead 9-6. Gaddis picked the Railer pocket and coasted in for two more to knot at 11-11 after one. At 7:24 in the 2nd period, Kreed Smith nailed one with so much authority, the Kansas Rodeo Association placed the shot in a whole new rodeo category. Schrag took a huge charge from #5 and Gaddis powered inside for two more but the score caromed back to 16-16, the fifth tie of the evening. The already prickly contest turned rougher as the Railers went to the line five times in the 2nd quarter, going 5 for 9, matched to the Bluebirds’ two for two from the charity stripe. Base put on a clinic on a baseline cut move that drew it to 20-21. Unruh was forced to sit much of the 2nd with foul trouble. Gaddis hit a baseline runner to keep the 11-16 quarter intact and the game closed 22-27 at the half.
The 3rd quarter seemed to last an eternity. Unruh put up a nice follow to start but Herington went on a 9-0 run before Unruh again was able to convert a drive into two 26-36. At 4:19 Goessel was in the bonus but was unable to deliver from the charity stripe. Base and Gaddis had back to back highlight steals on front court pressure and it was timeout Herington at 1:59 35-42. The cheer team led in “Go Go Blue and White” and Base drew it one point closer with a FT but just after that #35 sat with 4 fouls. With 22 ticks left in the 3rd, the home hopes were lifted as #5 for the visitors was whistled for his 4th and objected causing an immediate technical foul and his 5th personal. Gaddis hit 3 of 4 free throws to bring it back to 39-46 and the 17-21 quarter ended 39-48. The Bluebirds simply could not get over the hump against the visiting Railers tonight, however. Matthew Mann hit a dagger three to start the 4th and it was back and forth through the quarter. Schrag finessed what looked much better than a 56 degree wedge chip to close to 41-51. The giant Bluebird G flag traipsed south and north during one timeout. Gaddis hit a shot from pretty near the 13 mile road and was fouled to put up a four point play, enough to close within 10 45-55, and to give the home faithful even more hope Smith fed Base underneath for the perfect lay-in 47-55. Goessel timeout – “We Got the Beat The Bluebird Beat…..” Schrag fouled out with 31 seconds left at 47-63 and Kreed Smith buried one from near 150th Street to close out the 11-15 final quarter at 50-63.
A fan favorite, the Little Cheer halftime show, entertained all. The Fantastic Fan award for 2026 went to Darrell and Venita Schroeder. Herington goes to 3-15 with the win and Goessel moves to 4-14. Senior Gaddis finished his home career with 20 points while Junior Brayton Base stepped up with 11. Sophomore Kreed Smith notched 9 and Freshman Tanner Unruh put up 6 while Senior Levi Schrag scored 4. Also in tonight for Goessel were: Senior Anthony Boden, Freshman Noah Johnson, Sophomore AJ Hagewood, and Senior Aiden Duerksen. -Karl Brubaker
