Bluebirds Finish Strong
Goessel Girls Basketball @ 2A Hillsboro Sub-State v. Berean Academy March 1, 2018
Two weeks ago, Goessel’s Lady Bluebirds faced the Berean Warriors in the boisterous confines of Warrior Arena. That evening, the home team’s defense held the Blue to 20 with 0/12 three pointers and 19% FG shooting. Goessel played excellent defense as well, holding the high powered Warrior Wiebes to 34. Tonight, in the semi-final of this 2A sub-state at a neutral site, the #3 seeded Bluebirds promised another defensive tussle, but hoped for improvement at the other end as well. Both teams exhibited incredible patience against unrelenting defense, the lead changed hands 8 times, but breaks at the right moments left the Warriors (Maxpreps #11 ) with the 29-32 win against the Maxpreps #14 Bluebirds. #2 seed Berean will face #5 seed Inman (Maxpreps #21), who won impressively against #1 seed Marion (KBCA 2A #7) earlier in the evening, in the Hillsboro 2A sub-state championship on Saturday.
Goessel’s Elbiata Singers were called upon to have the honor of providing the national anthem tonight. Well done singers!
Sophomore Brooke Wiebe provides key support to key Warrior players Ashtyn Wiebe and Miranda Wiebe. Brooke scored first , but Eden Hiebert forayed to the hoop, was fouled and hit the first two of a perfect 6 for 6 from the line in her last Senior outing. Down the floor the next time, Eden pivoted for two more off the glass to go up 4-2, tying the largest lead of the night for Goessel. Tough defense both ways made this one of the most nerve-wracking, tense contests of the season for the Bluebirds. At 2:15, Kara Burkholder hit one of the few long shots tonight for Goessel, but had her toe on the arc to knot at 6-6. The quarter ended 6-9 with Goessel holding formidable scorer Ashtyn Wiebe at 2.
To start the 2nd, Eldridge hit for the largest Warrior lead of the night 6-11, and Goessel was once again having a terrible time getting shots to fall. Brittney Hiebert hit the front end of two charities then hit Eden rolling along the left side of the lane for a perfect in-pass to get back to 9-11. Brittney notched a sumptuous block on D, Eden stayed glued to A. Wiebe, and the teams experienced quite a few fracas tie ups, boxing out well and going after loose balls. Eden was able to cut off the passing lane and on the run went the distance to knot at 11. With continued perimeter pressure, each team’s outside shooting opportunities were limited. Berean was able to make two threes on the night and Goessel none (0-2); most scoring pushes were into the paint. Goessel won the 2nd quarter 5-4 and the defensive dream half ended 11-13.
Eden got loose off a nice screen and Brittney found her open for the nice start, tying at 13-13. With 5:00 left, Brittney was called for her 3rd and had to sit. At 3:30, Brooke Wiebe hit a trey, then back on D Stephany Meyer was credited with a humongous block and on the offensive end punched one into Leah Booton for the nifty lay-in 15-17. Berean went 1-4 at the line and Eden polished off 2/2 at the opposite stripe then with 30 ticks left in the quarter Goessel went up 19-18 on a gorgeous inbounds set to Eden. Fouled at the buzzer (#4 on Booton), Mallory Wiebe went to line by herself and hit one to leave it at 19-19 after three. Goessel won two of the four quarters tonight, but key portions of both the 4th quarter would have the Bluebirds come up on the short end of the final score.
To start the 4th, Eden through a trademark Brady/Foles hail Mary to Kara, who caught and was fouled for one and fouls stood at 6 and 6. Berean went into the bonus first at 7:30 but Kara stroked a nice pull-up jumper to lead 22-20. Ashtyn Wiebe, quiet all night, hit a giant trey to retake the lead and Brittney was called for her 4th at 5:43. Goessel went into the 1-1 at 5:28 with Kara hitting the front end to tie once again at 23. Coach Hoopes called time at 4:48, Marina Bidegain came off the bench to hit two clutch charities and go up 25-24. Miranda Wiebe missed to FT’s but Eldridge force fed the rim to lead 25-26. Now in the double bonus, Eden went to the line and completed her perfect night two for two and Goessel was up 27-26. Playing clutch defense the Bluebirds looked solid and poised and Brittney and Leah came back in at 3:43. At 3:36 Goessel called time again and appeared to have made the decision to “slow it down” and handle the ball out front, either hoping to get fouled or to burn the clock. Eldridge was able to snag an errant pass and go all the way to the hoop to lead 27-28. At 2:36 Coach Hoopes reverted to normal mode; Abby drove to the hoop, was fouled, but was unable to convert two key free throws. At 1:47, Brittney was called for her final personal foul and left the contest. M. Wiebe created another running turnover and layup to lead 27-31. Timeout Berean 1:20. Eden followed her own miss in heavy traffic to get to 29-31 and down the floor Leah fouled out with 9.8 seconds remaining and Wiebe put the Warriors up three with the back end of two charities. Goessel called timeout with 6.9 seconds and once the teams were on the floor the Berean Coach also called time once she could see the Bluebird set. Goessel inbounded to Stephany who passed to Abby, who put up a three to tie, but the shot clanged off the back of the iron for the Berean win 32-29.
Goessel’s Seniors: Abby Hannon, Eden Hiebert, Kara Burkholder, Jenna Nightingale, Emily Meier, Brittney Hiebert, and Leah Booton. Congratulations to each Senior for your effort this year and each year as Bluebirds! Thanks to the Bluebird Managers and Cheer Team for their work in support of this dedicated group of ladies. Eden led all scorers with 18 tonight in a great final game effort. Kara Burkholder put up 6, Marina Bidegain and Leah Booton each added 2 and Brittney Hiebert 1. Goessel improved its FG% to 30% tonight. Eden shot at 46% and Kara 67% and Eden was a perfect 6 for 6 from the line. Eden pulled down 6 boards and was credited with 3 steals, Brittney led in assists with 3. No Berean scorer put up more than 7 points.
Also in tonight’s game were: Madi Smith, Abby Hannon, Stephany Meyer, and Savanna Wuest. Completing the Goessel tournament team were: Jenna Nightingale, Haley O’Neal, and Emily Meier. Each and every Bluebird player played their hearts out this year. This was a momentous occasion in that Goessel’s volleyball and basketball squads will no longer have Hiebert as a common anchor/denominator; thanks to these cousins for all they have contributed over many years!
This writer has enjoyed sharing the dedication and enjoyment shown by these student athletes again this year!
-Karl Brubaker
