Solomon Blues
Goessel girls @ SolomonJanuary 10, 2014
Despite an absolutely sensational 2nd quarter, Goessel’s Lady Bluebirds could not overcome post-Christmas doldrums at Solomon Friday night.Sporting a nine point lead at the half, the Blue endured a disastrous 12-32 2nd half to come out on the short end of a 37-48 final at the Solomon Jungle.
Gorilla Senior Jamie Meagher got loose underneath to lead things off against the Goessel man to man.Anna Wiens rumbled low for two to tie and the ‘Birds went into a ¾ pressure defense.At 5:36 Aleena Cook drew a charge on a nice defensive stop but all-blondeAlexa Ritter caromed a runner to go up 2-4.In the back and forth first quarter, Alicen Meysing caught the in pass, rolled left and dropped a nice post move into the nylon to stay at 4-4.Late in the period Meagher got the best of the Blue D in the paint with two more and the quarter ended 4-8.
A melee underneath left Anna Wiens at the line and she set the tone for the quarter, hitting two for two.Goessel went to the line for 15 attempts in the 2nd quarter and hit 12 (one Page FT make was called off due to a Goessel lane violation).The11/14 charity performance came on positive/ aggressive movement down the floor, penetration into the paint and hustle at both ends.Goessel went into the double bonus with 4 minutes left in the half.At 6:45, Chelsea Stika set and let loose with a three from across I-70and Alicen followed nicely underneath for a conventional three point play at 4:38.Lighting the Jungle for the New Year, Aleena shazzamed one in from the Brookville restaurant parking lot.On the next possession she blocked a Gorilla shot, grabbed the ball and went coast to coast for the 21-16 lead.The Blue could do no wrong in the up-tempo stanza, going on a 15-2 run to close the period 25-16.
Fans were unsure what happened in the third quarter.Something was left in the locker room.Solomon stormed out with steely resolve, showing good hands and patience and Goessel looked totally out of sorts.90% of the Gorilla scoring was inside 3 feet tonight and the ‘Bird defense simply could not keep Meagher and Jordain Ballue at bay.Goessel called time at 3:54 after the Gorillas had put up a 8-2 run, the only tally for the Blue a coast to coast run by Aleena at 6:00.The bleeding continued as Ballue played havoc on the Goessel ball-handlers with Page on the bench.Aleena hit 1 for 2 from the charity stripe and Anna hit 2/2 but Goessel was held to one field goal the entire quarter and the misery was not over at 30-34.
Page fed Aleena on a gorgeous move to the bucket to start and Goessel fans rose as one, seeing perhaps a resurgence of the 2nd quarter spirit.Coach Hoopes had the Bluebirds in a full court all out press coming out of the make.Unfortunately, Aleena was called for her 4th and had to sit.On another stop off the press, Erin Brubaker hit to close to 34-35 and Goessel had several hustle tie ups.In a back to back dagger sequence,Meagher hit 2/2 from the stripe and Ritter launched one from the Gorilla band woodwind section and it was 34-40.Anna pounded inside with a great follow to go to 36-40;Makayla King hit the floor hard with memories flashing through everyone’s mind of Alyssa Booton’s December injury.Goessel’s rhythm was all holiday to finish and the Gorillas went 8-1 to complete the 37-48 win.This is definitely a contest Goessel’s coaching staff will point to and say “we are better than that.”
The Gorillas attempted 22 free throws in the 2nd half to Goessel’s 6.Ballue showed very strong defensive, ball handling and passing skills, finishing on several breaks for the Gorillas.Meagher is close to the top in league scoring and finished tonight with 20.100% of her points came close to the bucket or from the line.Solomon won their 2nd game of the season and is now 2-5 (2-0 league) while Goessel goes to 1-1 in Wheat State league play and 3-3 overall.
Aleena Cook led Bluebird scorers tonight with 11.Anna Wiens started and finished with 8 hard earned points.Alicen Meysing had two field goals and three from the line for 7.Chelsea Stika buried a huge three, Page Hiebert was three for three from the line for 3, Erin Brubaker and Ashley Hiebert each had 2.Riley Jarvis hit one charity.Also assisting the Goessel effort tonight were:Makayla King, Alyssa Booton, and Jennifer Meysing.
