Player Recognition Night
Goessel Varsity Girls v. Little River @ Goessel February 13, 2018
After Friday’s “friendly” against Peabody-Burns, Goessel turned its attention to Wheat State Rival Little River on Mardi Gras evening. The Bluebirds have scorched the nets the last two times on the floor and fans will hold their collective breath the rest of this season to see if that pace can maintain. Despite a very cold start this evening, the ‘Blue won each quarter tonight and skated to a comfortable 62-28 win v. the visiting Redskins.
Senior Renken led off with a post move to lead 0-2, the only lead of the night for Little River. Eden Hiebert hit on a runner, then Leah Booton frolicked in a follow to retake the lead 4-2. Kara Burkholder laced a bullet into Booton, then on the break found Stepany Meyer underneath with another exquisite look to lead 8-4. Abby Hannon sat with 2 early personal fouls. With LR breaking the pressure, Coach Hoopes called time at 3:37. Madi Smith saw one settle with sizzle from 10 feet and Marina Bidegain laced a no-look into Eden in traffic; the Senior caught the bounce, went up, was fouled and hit both ends for the 13-6 first quarter as the Bluebirds went 0 for a bakers’ dozen from beyond the arc.
Brittney Hiebert harrumphed a runner off the glass, then slapped one into the hospitality room at the other end. Down the floor the next time, Brittney bulleted in to a rolling Meyer who caught and delivered in the paint. Goessel showed good movement on the offensive end and stayed focused on defense. Leah caught a carom of a Hannon trey attempt for two, Kara swatted one into famed HS and college coach and now LR Athletic Director Zimmerman’s outstretched hand. Bidegain ran a behind the back bounce pass to Eden who again went to the hoop, was fouled and hit both charities. 21-7 . Little River took 12 FT’s during the quarter and hit 6 (McBride with 4/4, all other players 2/8). Stephany showed a lovely post move with a small head fake and roll. Goessel held LR without a field goal from the 3:37 mark in the 1st quarter to the 0:38 mark in the 2nd quarter, nearly 10 minutes. In with less than 5 seconds to go, Emily Meier dribbled, set and delivered one from beyond Jackson Hiebert’s “Kyle the Bear” that perfectly caressed off the rectangle and . . . . . ploofed through the nylon for a huge three at the buzzer, the first successful trey of the night. Goessel finished the 14-8 quarter 27-14.
The Bluebirds found some good ball motion tonight including going side to side. Eden hit Leah posting for two with a lovely inside bounce. Abby looked like she connected from the corner but was only credited with a very long 2 to go up 31-14. In the back and forth quarter, Eden coaxed in a short 5 footer; Brittney had to sit with 4 fouls at 4:17. Kara confidently launched an open look 15 footer and it wriggled in for the 35-19 lead. Eden squeaked for the ball in the paint (making that haunting call that sounds like a zebra being devoured by a hungry lion) and posted up nicely for two, Stephany hit the front end of two charities and with Eden also on the bench, Marina did the Spanish fandango into the lane for two to close the 13-9 quarter at 40-23.
Goessel led with “money” (code word “Boden”) and Eden turned on the burners with two more quick buckets, including one from beyond the guy with the East Carolina Pirates ball-cap and eye-patch saying “Arrrrrrrr.” Stephany showed solid hustle tonight, catching another in-pass, nosing into the paint and penetrating for two. Eden buried yet another one from just beyond where the vase of carnations was stashed for the senior/parent recognition, then tossed a Tom Brady end-zone pass to Brittney, who tiptoed at the edge of the zone, jumped and finished for a very pretty bucket. Abby bazookaed one from long range to go up 57-28 and Eden galloped coast to coast for 2 more before all subs were in with 1:44 left. Haley O’Neal had the chance to finish off a nice pass jump, but the lay-in would not fall; Madi was there for the follow. Haley did get another chance to get on the board as the running clock expired with her at the line. She hit the back end of two to close this one 62-28.
Eden closed with 22 (12 in the 4th quarter), a perfect 4/4 from the charity stripe and 8 boards, Stephany put up a nice effort tonight with 10 and 8 rebounds, and Leah had 8 points (100% from the floor 4/4). Abby and Brittney finished with 5, Madi 4 (2/2), Emily 3 (100% from 3 point land) and Kara and Marina each put up 2. Burkholder saw the floor well tonight with 6 assists. Haley finished with 1 point. Brittney and Eden were each credited with 5 assists. Also in for the Blue were: Jenna Nightingale and Savanna Wuest. The Seniors and their parents along with all the players participating this year were recognized at the Bluebirds’ last regular season home game. Goessel will host a sub-state contest yet in the Hillsboro 2A sub-state. Fans wait expectantly to see what the end of regular season records will be and to identify where the Bluebirds will fit in the absolutely loaded sub-state. It is safe to say that this Friday’s game v. Berean will be a factor.
-Karl Brubaker
