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Goessel Girls v. Rural Vista Heat @ Goessel December 20, 2016
With two seconds left in regulation and Goessel down by two, Senior Jenn Meysing caught a pass, set, and delivered a sensational finish. The three-pointer nestled into the bucket as the Bluebird fans exploded as one. Her finish created the sixth lead change of the night in the final, intense Wheat State League matchup before the Christmas break. Goessel used two key threes in the final stanza to close the ferocious contest 36-35. The Rural Vista girls are a formidable WSL opponent with solid ball-handling and depth; Goessel remains undefeated at 5-0 with the W tonight.
Rural Vista’s young team is poised and careful, one of the few teams the Bluebirds have faced who have been able to stare down the ‘Birds’ front-court pressure. Olivia Duerksen followed for two, then Brittney Hiebert slalomed one nicely off the glass to lead 4-0. At 5:05, the Heat got on the board. Goessel stayed in woman to woman nearly the entire night and the Heat remained in a tough zone the entire game. Hannon tossed over the top to Hiebert and it was 6-4, but that was all the Blue could muster the rest of the 6-7 quarter.
On the break, Brittney was fouled and hit the front end of 2; Goessel forced a Heat timeout with pressure, then Olivia followed again and was fouled. With Campuzano sitting the entire 2nd quarter, Goessel could not capitalize; Coach Hoopes called time at 6:01, Brittney pushed tough inside for two but the Heat came back for two nice touches. At 10-13, Brittney went down hard and appeared to have a pinky in distress. With able assistance from nurses Hiebert & Turner, the finger was re-jointed. Olivia notched a classy follow to stay at 12-15, then Brittney and Campuzano re-entered the contest. To close the half, the Heat beat the press for two more to leave it at 13-17.
Out of the break, the Heat was turned up. Off Bluebird turnovers, Brockmeier and colleagues ran it to 13-21, the biggest lead of the night. Rural Vista slowed it down and capable ball-handling from Sophomore Barten appeared to be creating anxiety for the home team. At 4:33, Campuzano was called for her 3rd and sat again. Goessel went on a 6-1 tear to close the half, with up-tempo defensive work starting with an Eden Hiebert steal and layup. Brittney cavorted to the bucket for two, and off a new-look press, Goessel converted another two off a turnover on a coast to coast ride from Eden. Off great stops from Brittney and a steal c/o Jenn Meysing, in a frenzied finish Goessel brought it back to 22-24 with a great 9-7 quarter. Brittney’s half court prayer at the buzzer clanged off the rim.
In heavy traffic, Stephanie Meyer looped one to Brittney for the finish underneath to knot at 24. Out of yet another scrum in the paint, Meyer bounced up to lay it over the rim for only the 2
nd lead of the night, but a moment later Okinedo found herself wide open on the break to tie, Kara Burkholder hit a beautiful 6 footer, but Campuzano hit her only three of the night to retake the lead at 28-29. The Heat beat the Blue pressure again to go up three 28-31 and the Heat called time at 4:45. Burkholder nailed a huge long 2 at 4:16 and it was back and forth in a continued buzz/pizazz of action. Goessel secured a 5 second call on #5; fouls stood at Goessel 6 and Rural Vista 1. The Heat called time in trouble on the edge at 2:52. Goessel couldn’t find the handle on the rebounds and the Heat went to the line three times within 30 seconds. With 1:47 left, Eden launched from so far out, radar stations in and out of Inman picked up the echo. The huge trey took the Blue up 33-32 and with three misses at the line from the Heat with 50 ticks left it was 33-34. Coach Hoopes called a full timeout at :50. Two Bluebird attempts could not find their way home; forced to foul, the Bluebirds caught yet another break with Rieder missing one of two to keep it at 33-35. Fouls stood at Goessel 10 and Rural Vista 1. Brittney caught a nice in pass and from point blank could not bank it in, but the Birds caught the rebound and were able to call time again with 13 ticks left. Fans were heard to call out “Bulldog Jennifer.” After the push inside, fans were not sure where the call was going. Brittney circled inside and Eden handled out front. From the 8:00 position outside the circle, Meysing appeared to be open…..after #21 and #5 won the Tug-Boat competition this year at the Blue/White scrimmage it’s fair to say betting against this cool headed Senior is not a good idea. With two ticks left, Jenn was set and with absolute fluidity delivered a career shot that settled into the waiting cords without any remorse or complaint. The Bluebirds had delivered a 14-11 comeback quarter and emerged with the sixth lead change of the contest 36-35 in the stunning finish.
Brittney Hiebert finished with 11, scoring in every quarter. Eden Hiebert exploded for 10, all in the 2nd half. Olivia Duerksen scored 6, all in the first half. Kara Burkholder had two smooth finishes and Stephany Meyer caressed two in the dynamic 4th quarter. Meysing only showed three points in the scorebook, but those three points will be remembered right up there with the incredible Bluebird finish against Centre a number of years ago. Also on the floor tonight were Abby Hannon and Savanna Wuest. Leah Booton continues her recovery from injury.
Congratulations on a great December, Bluebirds!
