Sub State Strive 2018
Launch the media gallery 1 playerGoessel Girls Varsity Basketball – 1st Round Hillsboro Sub-State @ Goessel v. Canton-Galva Eagles
In as competitive a sub-state environment as Goessel has been in for many years, Goessel first faced Wheat State League rival Canton-Galva at home Monday night February 26. With 2A opponents Berean, Hillsboro, Marion, Inman, Moundridge, and Herington all rounded up into one corral along with the Bluebirds and Eagles, this sub-state is wide-open. The Eagles came into tonight 9-10 and Goessel 15-4. Seeding in the tournament was determined in part by lottery with three teams coming in 15-4. Marion won the #1 seed and Goessel #3 by virtue of losing head to head v. Berean. Tonight, the Eagles came to play but could not match up against the Bluebird height and wingspan. Goessel did not run away with the contest, but did not lose any quarters and led by a maximum of 22; the contest ended 52-32. Goessel moves on to play Berean Academy at Hillsboro on Thursday night in the semi-final round.
Inman defeated Moundridge on the other side of the bracket and will face Marion.
In their last home game on the Bluebird court, Goessel’s Seniors appeared ready for sub-state competition. Abby Hannon, Eden Hiebert, Kara Burkholder, Jenna Nightingale, Emily Meier, Brittney Hiebert, and Leah Booton have given Bluebird fans all around the world so many treasured memories. Thank you ladies for all you have done for Goessel High School in ever so many realms!
Eden launched one from deep within the flute section of the Bluebird band even as echoes of the anthem still resonated in the hall (7:45). Moddlemog found two FG efforts to go up 5-4, the only lead of the contest for the Eagles, but Booton hit the back end of two charities and a lovely 11 footer from her “spot” to go up 7-5. The Sophomore Eagle ball-handler was forced to sit with two early fouls. The Eagles threw light front-court pressure at the Bluebirds all night and Goessel put on an occasional ¾ trapping press as well. Each team garnered some points off turnovers. Showing good movement, Goessel went on a 7-0 run with Stephany Meyer dropping one off the glass, Brittney hitting 1 of 2 from the line, and Stephany turning with a great board and follow, then Abby following one more miss for 2.
Freshman Bell hit two field goals including a long trey to stay at 14-10. Eden found Brittney with a Nick Foles-like air-out and Brittney closed the quarter with the lay-in 16-10.
With Moddlemog and 5’10” Gough on the bench with foul troubles the Bluebirds went to work, going on an untouched 12-0 tear. With all Iowan grandparents cheering from “afar” Eden was fouled from beyond the arc and hit 3-3, then the Blue came up with three consecutive steals on the press, concluding with a defining feed to Marina B who popped it from two feet (without the glass) to lead 28-10. Goessel kept the Eagles off the board until 3:07, a key defensive stand on the night. Moddlemog came back in and the Eagles put on their own crowd-pleasing 8-2 run, interrupted only by a long Madi 2, to close the quarter at 30-18.
At half time, Goessel’s cheer team put on a great performance. Hailey Shipp, Layci Froese, Julianna Schrag, Elyse Boden, Alex Nickel, Kirsten Horne, and MaKayla Davis. Thanks for all your hard work this year!
Unruh hit a long three, the 4th of 5 tonight for the Eagles, but Abby caught the Canton ball-handler with crossed toes tumbling to the floor and went in for the uncontested layup to go to 32-21. With both teams pressing on the make, Moddlemog was called for her 3rd. Eden found herself wide open in the paint for the 9 footer, Abby bulleted into Madi waiting underneath for a nice lay-in. Within a moment, Moddlemog was called for her 4th personal and also Gough her 4th, so two key players were again on the bench for the Eagles. Abby buried one from really close to where long term former Goessel teacher and legendary coach Dave Smith was sitting. Brittney displayed some great inside ball fakes and post moves to go up 44-24. Eden cavorted one more steal into a finish ad the 14-6 quarter ended 44-24.
Goessel shed two quick buckets on horrible turnovers to start and Eden came back in to quell the damage. At 6:05, Brittany found Eden in the middle with an exquisite in-pass for two and Canton called time at 4:03. Kara notched a nice block underneath. Moddlemog fouled out at 3:35 and Goessel extended to 48-30 at the line. ON the break Kara found Brittany underneath and the Senior finished strong for two then pushed inside for two more for the largest lead of the night 52-30. With the benches cleared in the final moments for the Eagles this year, Goessel completed their last night on the Bluebird home court 52-32. Congratulations Lady Bluebirds!
Eden led all scorers with 19 (50% from 2FG land and 80% from the line), Brittany also scored in every quarter and put up 10. Abby Hannon finished with 8, Leah Booton 5 and Madi Smith/Stephany Meyer each tallied 4. Marina Bidegain added 2 for the Blue. Also playing in the first round sub-state game for Goessel were: Kara Burkholder, Jenna Nightingale, Haley O’Neal, Emily Meier, and Savanna Wuest. Goessel shot at 45% from 2 point FG range tonight, with both Smith and Bidegain at 100%. The Bluebirds have experienced better nights from 3FG range and at the line, but defense was solid. 8 Bluebirds pulled down rebounds tonight and Goessel pulled 34 boards in total. Goessel was credited with 4 blocks and 20 deflections on the night. The Bluebirds will definitely need to pick up their ball handling by anyone not named Eden in order to compete with anyone beyond this game. Best wishes Bluebirds in the days ahead! Relax, play hard and focus! Strive!
-Karl Brubaker
