Bluebirds 4th In Classic
Goessel Varsity Girls Basketball - Canton-Galva @ Goessel December 8, 2018
Goessel’s girls went into Saturday at 1-1 in Classic week, with a win over Elyria Christian on Tuesday and a loss to Central Christian yesterday. Canton-Galva came in with a loss to Little River and win over Burrton. The Eagles threw full court pressure at the Bluebirds through three quarters and the Bluebirds could not find ball handling answers. Stephany Meyer put up 11 for the ‘Birds and Goessel emerged the 4th place winner in the 2018 Bluebird Classic.
Liz Schmucker bounced perfectly to Liz Alderfer to start, knotting at 2-2. Moments later, Schmucker coasted in a lovely 12 footer, but the 4-2 lead was the only lead Goessel saw tonight. Eagle Seniors Brewer and Unruh as well as Junior Moddelmog proved too much for the Bluebirds’ front-court and the visitors scored many of their points off turnovers. Alderfer hit the front end of two FT’s and Meyer found a great finish to hold at 7-9; Goessel showed great defensive pressure and kept in this one, staying at 9-12 with three visits to the charity stripe. Fouls at the end of the 9-14 quarter stood at Goessel 6, Canton-Galva 7.
The 3-12 second quarter proved disastrous as the Eagles went to the FT line for 11 attempts, converting 7 of them. The Eagles went on a 7-2 run, the only hope provided by Stephany with a great baseline slide for two at 4:10. At 2:31 key Eagle player Unruh was forced to sit with three fouls. Both teams were in the double bonus late in the half. Canton continued to push down the floor and left the score at the half 12-26. The Bluebirds were 4-9 from the free throw line in the first half.
Goessel came out in an exuberant zone in the 2nd half. Madi Smith threw a Hail Mary pass to Meyer who was able to finish nicely to start. At 5:59 Smith was fouled beyond the arc and in a game highlight moment brought it to 17-28 with all three charities….nothing but net! The Eagles appeared to feel threatened and upped the defensive ante, running it to 17-36. At 3:20 Megan Guerrero launched one from across town for the last Bluebird FG of the quarter 20-36, and the Eagles continued to soar, closing the 3rd 20-47.
The Eagles finally pulled their full court press and began substituting starters in the 4th. With a three from Bell, the game went to running clock at 5:43 at 20-52. With all subs in for the Eagles, Goessel was able to tally a few points, three FT’s from Schmucker and two FG’s from Meyer as well as one charity from Raechel Boese. The game finished 28-52.
Stephany Meyer scored 11, Liz Schmucker had 6, a steadily improving Liz Alderfer had a solid game and put up 4, Madi Smith went three for four from the line, Megan Guerrero added one trey, and Raechel Boese finished with one in the contest. Also seeing time were Haley O’Neal, Porclein Unruh, Rebecca Sawyer, and Bethany Herrell. On the bench tonight were Kaleigh Guhr and Rachel Zogleman.
-Karl Brubaker
