Dragons Defeat Bluebirds At Eli J. Walter
Goessel Girls Varsity Basketball @ Elbing, KS January 25, 2018
#10 (KBCA January 22, 2018) 3A Halstead starts three freshmen, but any opponent who believes that is a disadvantage is mistaken. Between presence in the paint, ball-handling and defense, these three give the Dragons great stature in the present and great hope for the future. The trio scored nearly half of the Dragons’ points. Goessel fell back 1-8 to start but regained traction to nearly tie at 7-8 before the Dragons went on a 13-0 run in the 2nd quarter. Eventually leading by as much as 23, Halstead moves to the championship game against Berean Academy with the semi-final win 39-56. Goessel will play Trinity Academy in the 3rd place game Saturday afternoon.
The Tournament program cover features former Goessel player Page Hiebert and current Senior Eden Hiebert.
Using ¾ pressure both ways, both teams attempted to leverage ball-handling concerns in the front court. Early on, Halstead took advantage of being able to successfully throw over the top for easy buckets. Leah Booton hit the back end of two charities to start Goessel off at 6:49. At 4:45, Abby Hannon caught nothing but net from neighboring Harvey County, rattling the decibel meter in the loud gymnasium. Moments later, Eden eased one in from four feet out to stay at 7-8, Brittney coasted smoothly from end to end on the break, and Leah bounced one into the cup on a follow. Penetration/drives from the Dragons left it at 11-17 at the end of one.
Halstead was packing the paint and giving the Bluebirds the opportunity to shoot from outside. Several free throw opportunities did not fall and at 2:07 Maddi Smith launched one from so far downtown it nearly bumped the memorial flowers set up for tournament founder Eli J. Walter, who passed away this past Saturday at 96. On another drive to the hole, Brittney blazed by the defenders and laid it in to close the 6-16 quarter at 17-33.
The third started with good Bluebird enthusiasm. Brittney was hammered underneath and hit both charities 19-33. On the best feed of the night, Eden Hiebert hit Brittney at full speed cutting to the hoop for a great finish. For every good action, though, tonight Halstead seemed to have an equal and opposite reaction. Down the floor, showing good patience and ball movement, Goessel’s Marina Bidegain found Stephany Meyer open in the middle and she pirouetted in the lane for two. The 8-12 quarter showed promise in containing the Dragon offense but left the tally at 25-45 after three.
Hot shooting Senior Williams stroked one from Lucky Kidd’s radio nest for the largest lead of the night 25-48; back down the floor Bidegain hit from the top of the key to stay within 20, 28-48. Brittney recorded a magnificent block, swatting it all the way to rural Peabody, then Eden found pay-dirt with a runner in the paint. Down the floor on defense again, Brittney went up and blocked a second time, this time it appears the ball was never actually found. At 5:21, Abby gave the Bluebirds one iota of hope with a magnificent trey from behind the tuba section of the Warrior band-box to get to 33-50, but with effectiveness of the Dragon ball-handlers, Coach Hoopes gave his bench players a chance to get into the tournament at 4:00. Brittney closed for yet another fine drive +1 to go to 36-54 and at 1:40 Emily Meier left fans in near-ecstasy with a beautiful three from well beyond the Bluebird cheering section Row G. The Dragons chose to hold the ball for the remainder of the game and the semi-final contest closed 39-56.
Brittany led Goessel with 11, Abby 6, Eden 5, Leah 4, and Emily, Maddi and Marina each scored 3. Stephany and Kara each added 2.
-Karl Brubaker
