Aloha Senior Recognition Night
Girls Varsity Basketball – Elyria Christian Eagles @ Goessel January 12, 2018
On Senior recognition night, both home and visiting fans were out in force, with many in attendance sporting Hawaiian shirts and leis. With the homecoming dance following the games tonight and a tough set of contests coming up later this month, the Bluebirds faced the Elyria Eagles for the 2nd time this season. Goessel pushed their lead to as much as 23 late in the 4th before clearing the bench and this one ended 45-28. Congratulations to Senior players Abby Hannon, Eden Hiebert, Kara Burkholder, Jenna Nightingale, Emily Meier, Brittney Hiebert, and Leah Booton for their many contributions to Bluebird basketball!
Off pressure from the soft ¾ press, Goessel created points off turnovers to lead 7-0. Abby led the way early with a FG inside then knocked down the only three of the night all the way from the Bluebird mascot’s friend’s lair somewhere east of the decorated grass skirts in the Clarinet section. She then galloped a long bomb to Leah for the nice finish and 7-0 lead. At 1:17 in the interminably patient first quarter Unruh hit a layup on the drive and the quarter closed 7-2.
Bigs 5’10” Vetter and 6’0” Redenbaugh made their presence known in the paint and the Eagles perfected a nice give and go toss to Vetter that scored twice in the 2nd. Stephany streaked out of the middle of the defense to hit for the lay-in +1 at 6:56, then Eden jumped the passing lane again for a Pick 2 and the 12-5 lead. Kara found nothing but net with a long 2 from close to Daytona’s sequin sparkle board, Eden was credited with a hustle block, then went the other way with yet another steal and foray to the hoop for two more. Savanna stroked a bullet in-pass to Brittney and #33 closed off the glass to lead 18-11. Kara grabbed a steal at the top of the key and balleted a pass to Madi underneath, who turned and frolicked in the FG, then Brittney went hard to the hole and hit both ends of the charities to close the half 22-11.
With the player and manager photos on the east wall keeping watch, the 3rd quarter played even. Elyria closed to 6 on two good finishes, then Abby fed Kara going all the way down the court, who finished and was fouled. Eden coasted in for two more and this quarter finished way up tempo, with Leah finding Abby open and Eden catching a nifty throw over the top and skating in for another to close 32-20.
Goessel won every quarter tonight and extended their lead in the final stanza on efforts from Brittney, a well-executed baseline run from Abby with bounce feed to Leah in the paint, and an Eden in-pass to Brittney. With continued nice ball movement down the court next time, Brittney hit Stephany to go to 39-22. Elyria took a timeout at 2:34, Kara swooshed two from the charity stripe, and Eden found her stride with a touchdown pass to Brittney, then the same pattern except to Stephany for the 23 point lead 45-22. With the bench cleared with one minute to go, Elyria put up three buckets and this one closed 45-28.
Eden led all scorers with 10, Brittney put up 9, Abby and Stephany 7, Kara 6, Leah 4, and Madi 2. Also in for the Bluebirds were: Jenna Nightingale, Haley O’Neal, Emily Meier, Marina Bidegain and Savanna Wuest. Goessel will face Moundridge at home in one week.
-Karl Brubaker
