This will be a rebuilding year for the Goessel boys? basketball team after losing seven seniors to graduation, accord?ing to third-year coach Curtis Guhr.
Participating in Class 1A-Division I, the Bluebirds finished last season with a 4-4 record in the Wheat State League and 9-12 overall.
Guhr will have one returning starter in Ben Wiens, a 6-foot, 1-inch senior who averaged 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Additional letter winners include seniors Brian Hiebert (6-3), Reece Hiebert (6-2) and Zach Sho?walter (5-10). Lawton Makovec will be a top newcomer to watch, Guhr said.
?After graduating seven seniors from last year?s team, we will be looking to this year?s juniors and seniors to fill the voids,? Guhr said. ?Quickness and ability to handle the ball is a definite asset as we head into the season.
?That being said, we also have several posts looking to fill the void left from graduation. Rebounding and on-ball defense will be two areas of focus as we begin practice. Finding the right group to accept their roles and do their jobs will be vital to our success.?
Guhr predicts the Blue?birds will finish among the top six in the league, with Rural Vista, Peabody-Burns and Centre among the top teams to watch.
The Bluebirds will open the season at Inman Dec. 6. Their home-opener will be Dec. 10 against Central Christian.