Wethersfield’s Zeb Rashid goes for a layup.  [Photos by Kendall Vincent with The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]

***Kendall Vincent is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.

The Wethersfield Flying Geese boys basketball team concluded their 2024 Turkey Tournament with a fourth-place finish, ending the week with a 2-3 record. 

Although the results were a mix of victories and losses, the tournament marked a key moment for the team: their first tournament under the leadership of new head coach Kali Galli. The week also featured individual recognition for the Geese, with senior Zeb Rashid earning a spot on the all-tournament team.

Monday, Nov. 25: Geese Defeat Putnam County 53-41

The Flying Geese opened the tournament with a strong 53-41 victory over Putnam County. Under Coach Galli’s leadership, the team demonstrated solid defensive discipline and offensive efficiency. 

The win was an early indication of the team’s potential and set a positive tone for the remainder of the week. Leading the Geese to this win were seniors Kellan Keane with 17, Zeb Rashid with 13 and junior Drew Hornback with 12.

Tuesday, Nov. 26: Geese Edge Past Stark County 52-50

In a tight contest against Stark County, the Flying Geese secured a hard-fought 52-50 victory. The game was a true team effort, with multiple players stepping up in crucial moments. 

Coach Galli’s focus on staying composed under pressure and executing in critical situations was evident as the Geese held on for the win. 

This nail-biter of a game came down to the last few seconds in the fourth quarter. The Geese were up by 2 with 5 seconds left when Stark County sent a hail mary pass down for a layup that did not fall. The Geese, led by Zeb Rashid with 17 and Castin Rash with 16, won the game by 2. 

Annawan’s Brody Childs accepts the award as tournament MVP.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: Geese Fall to Elmwood 58-48

On Wednesday, the Flying Geese faced a tough opponent in Elmwood. Despite a competitive effort, the Geese fell short, losing 58-48. 

Elmwood’s fast-paced offense posed challenges, and while the Geese struggled to keep up, the game provided valuable lessons in handling more aggressive opponents. 

The battle of this game was led by Kellan Keane and Castin Rash, both with 14 points, and Zeb Rashid with 11. 

Friday, Nov. 29: Geese Lose to Bureau Valley 59-36

The Flying Geese faced another difficult challenge on Friday, falling 59-36 to Bureau Valley. The team struggled to find an offensive rhythm, and Bureau Valley’s defense limited the Geese’s scoring opportunities. 

Rashid was the leading scorer for the Geese with 9 points followed by Collin Hodge and Drew Hornback with 6 and Kellan Keane, Noah Feltner and Castin Rash all with 5 points.  

Saturday, Nov. 30: Geese Conclude Tournament with Loss to Annawan 70-27

The final game of the tournament saw the Flying Geese take on Annawan, who proved to be too strong, winning 70-27.

While the result was tough, Coach Galli’s emphasis on development remained the focal point. Annawan’s high-powered offense overwhelmed the Geese, but the experience offered valuable lessons in playing against top-tier competition. 

Collin Hodge led the Geese’s offense with 8 points followed by Kellan Keane with 7 points. 

Zeb Rashid Earns All-Tournament Honors

Despite the team finishing 2-3, one of the standout individual performances of the week came from senior Zeb Rashid. Rashid’s impressive all-around play throughout the tournament earned him a well-deserved spot on the All-Tournament Team. 

His leadership, scoring ability, and defensive contributions were essential for the Geese, and his recognition served as a bright spot during a challenging week.

Tournament MVPs: Brody Childs, Cole Goodley, and Maddux Heitzler of Annawan

In addition to the All-Tournament Team, Annawan’s Brody Childs was named Tournament MVP for his exceptional performance throughout the week. He was joined by teammates Cole Goodley and Maddux Heitzler, who also received recognition for their stellar play. 

Annawan’s dominant performance, capped by their win over the Flying Geese on Saturday, was fueled by these three players, who helped lead their team to the title.

With the tournament behind them, the Flying Geese will look to build on the lessons learned and continue improving throughout the season. Coach Galli’s leadership, combined with the team’s determination to grow, will be key as they move forward. 

Fans can expect to see continued development as the Geese prepare for the upcoming challenges of the regular season.