Goessel Girls Advance to Bluebird Classic Championship
Girls Varsity Basketball – Bluebird Classic – Goessel Dec. 8 2017 v. Burrton Chargers
Goessel used scoring from 8 different players tonight to advance to the championship of the Bluebird Classic on Saturday. Tonight’s contest looked daunting for a very young Burrton squad as the Chargers gave up nearly two feet of height against the Bluebird starters and have only one Senior on the floor. Burrton had lost earlier to Canton-Galva 58-27 and Goessel had defeated the Eagles 55-31. Bluebird defenders nearly held the Chargers to a mere field goal per quarter and began the game 29-2 before settling in; the contest ended 65-18.
Highlights from the 1st quarter included a nice series of penetrations into the paint, Brittney taking a charge, a nice follow from Savanna and Euro spark from Marina. Goessel’s height advantage meant an overpowering advantage on the boards. After one it was 23-2.
Early in the 2nd quarter, Goessel got blocked at its own end, Burrton’s ballhandler Salgado took the ball the length of the floor, but Eden sprinted after the ball and notched a spectacular swat herself, with the ball ending up very close to East Carolina! Goessel hit from three point land four times tonight, with a delivery from Martina from somewhere across the walls of Seville, two from Abby that were so silky smooth they dissolved the gold color on Principal Boden’s gold Duster, turning it a brilliant purple. Eden added another to go up 32-4, the arc of which described the breath of a bluebird staring down a dragon. At half time, Goessel was up 44-8.
Starters played a bit of the 3rd quarter and Brittney forayed baseline for two nice finishes. Coach Hoopes cleared the bench; Stephany Meyer got a nice push inside, Marina found Wuest rolling in perfect rhythm for two with a nifty hook pass. A moment later Marina pushed inside, dished to Emily, who found nothing but net from 11 feet ; back down the court Emily reciprocated with a long bomb to Marina who finished in style for the 63-11 lead. Meyer got one more in running clock to close to 65-18.
Eden Hiebert led all scorers with 17, Brittney Hiebert was close behind with 13, and Marina Bidegain put in 12 to show that she is ready to contribute to this team. Abby Hannon put up two perfect threes and a charity for 7, Savanna Wuest finished with 6, Leah Booton and Stephany Meyer each scored 4, and Emily Meier totaled two on the night. Also seeing action for Goessel were Madi Smith, Kara Burkholder, Jenna Nightengale, and Haley O’Neal. Marina led the ‘Birds in ‘bounds with 8; Eden had 5 steals. Brittney and Eden each shot at a 70% clip from 2 point land; as a team the Bluebirds shot 50% from FG2 and 44% from FG3 range. Marina and Abby were both perfect from 3 point land tonight. Savanna and Marina were perfect from the line; Goessel shot 50% as a team from the charity stripe.
Bluebird Buddies were in abundance tonight. A special shout out to Athletic Director Lightner and other administrators for pulling off an extraordinary feat this week: Goessel has hosted 28 of 34 basketball games at home (including some Junior High games)- six more left on Saturday. This requires a host of wonderful workers who help out with everything from concessions, gate, clock, book, hospitality, and cleaning up after everyone. Thank you all! Another shout out to the GHS band and wonderful cheer team for keeping spirits positive and focused!Goessel girls will take on Elyria in the championship game at 5:30 pm Saturday evening. Elyria lost to Little River but beat Central Christian to advance in the three way 1-1 tie in Pool B.
