Strive-Groundhog Day
Goessel Girls Varsity Basketball v. Centre Cougars @ Centre February 2, 2018
In tonight’s Wheat State League contest on homecoming night at Centre, Goessel’s Bluebirds saw plenty of sunlight, along with Punxsutawney Phil. According to tradition, if Phil sees his shadow there are six more weeks of winter. Hopefully, in Kansas, other successes can be attributed to seeing one’s shadow today. The Bluebirds won every quarter tonight and collected a huge season-crowning effort from Brittney Hiebert with 25, including 14 in the first quarter of play. Both Eden Hiebert and Abby Hannon put up a dozen as Goessel coasted to a 71-36 win in the friendly confines of Cougar Gymnasium.
Against the scrappy and quick Cougars it was back and forth the first two minutes until Abby Hannon launched one from the deep azure “blue hallway” total be-decked in decorations. Basore answered but after that Goessel went on a tear, running 16-0 on deep tosses from Eden to Brittney and coast to coast runs off turnovers. Brittany put up an outstanding 14 in the first quarter including 2 for 2 from the stripe. With Eden out, Centre put up three quick buckets to close the first quarter 19-8.
In the 2nd stanza, the home team continued pushing back going on their own 10-4 run with pushes inside and tempestuous defense. Eden hit 2 for 2 free throws and BoooooTON! Hit nothing but net from baseline 15 ft. Goessel called time at 23-18 after two Hett charities. Out of the timeout, Hannon buried one this time from the opposing “white” hall, which appeared almost like Narnia before Aslan, and Centre called a timeout immediately at 3:21. Leah found her spot tonight and hit again to lead 28-18, then Brittney drove baseline for two and Eden found Leah open with a fabulous look inside to lead 32-20. Abby was credited with taking a charge from Hett as the Bluebirds showed strong on the defensive end. The 13-12 quarter closed at 32-20.
Brittney found her niche tonight grooving the baseline. At 5:56 Hannon paused just for a moment and caressed yet another huge trey in from beyond the smoke machine at the arena entrance. Eden intercepted a Cougar pass and finished strong at the other end to lead 35-22. Timeout Centre 5:46. Booton stroked yet another fine look from 14 ft., but Brittney had to sit with three fouls after being called for a charge. In a timely sequence, Abby took the air out of all the Cougar sails with yet another magnificent shot, this one rippling in from beyond the 45 mph sign at Lincolnville. Eden notched yet another layin by jumping a pass and tiptoeing down the sideline. Savanna Wuest found Kara Burkholder open inside for a well executed assist. With time running out Wuest smiled ear to ear as her three point shot caressed the nylon from so far out the Cougar arena exhaust fans came on spontaneously. Casey returned the favor for Centre at the buzzer to close the 20-14 quarter at 52-34.
#33 powered strong to the bucket from every side imaginable tonight; fans recommend noting today’s diet to assure she consumes the same thing before every game. At 5:05 Eden buried a three that came from three rows in back of where niece Oakley smiled in return. Brittney cavorted in for two more buckets, then Marina Bidegain got one to fall off the glass from a very nice Jenna Nightingale in-pass. 65-36. With substitutes all in to close, Madi Smith hit a beautiful jumper, then went up for another and was fouled. Marina closed the contest with one more solid finish in the 19-2 quarter and the Wheat State League game closed at 71-36. Centre’s home court can be a difficult place to play and the Bluebirds showed “Strive” very well tonight.
Brittney Hiebert put up 25 tonight in a huge effort for the Bluebirds. Both Abby Hannon and Eden Hiebert totaled 12 and Leah Booton scored 8 on four magnificent 15 footers. Madi Smith and Marina Bidegain added 4 each and Kara Burkholder and Savanna Wuest each contributed 3. Also in for the Bluebirds were Jenna Nightingale, Stephany Meyer, Haley O’Neal, and Emily Meier.
-Karl Brubaker
