Threat of Ice
Goessel Girls v. Elyria Christian Eagles @ Elyria January 13, 2017
Goessel didn’t allow one field goal between 6:12 in the 2nd quarter and 5:40 in the 4th quarter and the suffocating defensive pressure again carried the day for the Bluebirds. Friday’s games were moved earlier due to impending weather moving north from Oklahoma. The Bluebirds could not get their offensive punch fully in motion until late in the game, but still won every quarter and ended the lopsided contest 39-16. For the Eagles, anyone not named Redenbaugh scored 2 points, as the sisters scored 14 for the home team. Eden Hiebert led the Blue with 15, scoring in each stanza.
For 8 minutes this looked like it was going to be a game. Kara Burkholder polished off a nifty 5 footer off a steal, then Eden followed for two to knot at 4. Elyria scored each of its 6 field goals within 3 feet of the bucket, mostly on tosses to a waiting Redenbaugh or lay-ins by a driving Redenbaugh. Each team did not fare well in the turnover column tonight, but Goessel at least created more steals (17) than turnovers (15). Eden frolicked a nice shazam over the top to Olivia Duerksen, who turned , hit , and was fouled. Goessel notched some nice stops in their half court BirdNest trap. However, Goessel was plagued early with missed coverage underneath on its press. The first quarter ended 9-8 on a nice 10 footer from Jennifer Meysing.
Eden cavorted for two buckets, then Brittney Hiebert hammered one in again to Olivia, who caressed another pretty finish to go to 15-10. The Redenbaugh finish at 6:12 would be the last field goal for the Eagles until midway through the 4th quarter. Jenn cut off a passing lane on the run, streaked in for the layup, but the Buffalo Wild Wings guy arose again and the rim refused to accept. Eden was called for 3 quick fouls, almost in succession and had to sit at 5:15. Jenna Nightingale came in as ball-handler and did a solid job at the point. At 2:34, inside big Redenbaugh was called for her 3rd and sat. Jennifer caught an offensive carom, put it back up, and was hammered. She swooshed the first and banked in the 2nd for the 17-11 lead . The ‘Birds had solved their defensive oversight of leaving an Eagle open down-court on the break. Nightingale had a highlight (no-look?) bullet feed inside to Savanna Wuest, open underneath, who reeled and laid it in for a lovely two. The half ended 19-11.
Out of the break, Eden’s wingspan played big, going up 23-12 on jumpers in the paint. There were so many tie-ups, the scorer’s table appeared to miss not one but two possession arrow changes. In the defensive quarter, Olivia caught a carom and received a full nelson from #44, who was called for her 4th. Carrying on the laser in-pass pattern of the night, Abby Hannon zinged one in to Brittney, who laid it up for the 25-12 lead at the end of the stanza.
Goessel showed great motion on the first set play of the 4th quarter. Three Bluebirds went to the line and hit 3 of 5 off steals and pushes to the bucket. Elyria called time at 6:25. Eden played the entire 2nd half with three fouls. Out of the timeout, Eden launched a trey that blew away any icicles that may have accumulated around the edges for the 33-12 lead. Elyria hit two FT’s between the 5:40 mark in the 4th qtr. and when they got their last prior field goal at the 6:12 mark in the 2nd quarter. That’s more than 16 minutes without a 2 bucket. Down the floor two plays hence Jenn caught a huge crosscourt toss and floated a 14 footer smooth as silk to go up 20, 35-15. Off another steal sequence, Eden threw long , Jenn caught the miss, went back up and was fouled. Substitutes were in from both benches at 3:06. In the double bonus, Abby hit the front end of two to close at 39-16.
Eden led the Blue tonight with 15 and was 75% from 2 land (6 for 8) and 100% from beyond the arc. Eden had 5 steals (the Junior tied Goessel’s record for steals in a game the other night with 10) and no turnovers. Jenn tallied 4 steals and put up 7 points, including 3 for 4 from the line (75%). Brittney finished with 6, Olivia 4, Abby 3, and Kara and Savanna each contributed 2. Also on the floor for the Bluebirds tonight were Stephany Meyer, Jenna Nightingale and Leah Booton. Abby and Savanna were 100% from the floor. Goessel was credited with 12 assists on the night. Goessel overcame the threat of a cold streak and warmed up, reaching a peak in the 4
with 14 points. Most importantly, the ‘Birds continue to wreak havoc with tenacious defense that will warm any fan or coach’s heart. –Karl Brubaker
