Bluebird Classic Champions!
Goessel’s Lady Bluebirds used balanced scoring and stayed in their flex spread press nearly all night to fully contain the Canton-Galva Eagles in the Bluebird Classic championship. With quick hands and big wingspans, the Bluebirds created many opportunities off turnovers and steals against the smaller, younger Eagle squad and emerged with the 59-31 victory. Despite fouling out with most of the 4th quarter yet to play, Eden Hiebert tied Alicen Meysing with 12 points to lead the Blue attack. Congratulations to the Lady Bluebirds on another Classic championship!
Goessel was pumped out of the chute, skating to a 6-0 lead on forays from Brittney, Alicen and Eden. Senior 6 footer Cassidy Enns was clearly the Eagles’ go to player and she put the visitors on the board at 4:47 with a post move inside +1. Aleena added two and Page followed a Brittney miss for two more to go to 10-3. Goessel showed patient on offense, looking for the inside crease, and the Eagles called time at 2:56. Kara Burkholder struck from 12 feet and Eden weaved through the Eagle press to take it to 15-3; Enns knocked down two more charities to close the quarter 15-5.
The Bluebirds’ aggressive defense put the home team on the board with 6 fouls to start the 2nd; Canton only tallied 2 in the first stanza. Nightingale hit a jumper and Enns struck again in the paint; coach Hoopes called time at 6:06 still up 6, 15-9. Alicen corralled a carom off a Cook miss, then at 4:40 Aleena dazzled with a sensational pop from across Emma Creek. Enns was forced to sit with her 2nd foul, Page snagged an Eagle pass and hit the layup, but Eden was called for her third personal and also had to hit the bench. Fortunately for the Blue, the Eagles only capitalized on one 1-1 opportunity. Zoe Unruh hit a long three, but the Blue zipped up tempo and Page followed to close with a lay-in at the buzzer. 27-14.
A 13 point run to start the 3rd put this one in the ‘ol deep freeze. After Enns hit for two, Eden lit it up from somewhere in the middle of Dutch Avenue, then hit again from another county to take it to 33-16. Eden stroked a bullet to Page for two, then Aleena found nothing but net from east of Larry Lindeman’s perennially wonderful Christmas display. Finally Brittney, caught and dropped another for the 40-16 lead. The Eagles found traction, however, and went on their own 11-6 run to close the quarter at 46-27. Eden tossed an end zone pass to Page who collected the ball, went up, and was fouled by Enns, who finished the quarter with 4 fouls.
Enns played with 4 in the 4th. Alicen floated a nice finish off a bullet in-pass, then Jen Meysing scored on a pretty runner. Eden was back in at 6:20 and put up a nifty 12 footer to go to 52-31. Next time down, however, on the offensive board she was called for her 5th, only the 2nd time she has ever fouled out of a basketball game. The Eagle ball-handling game collapsed in the face of continuing Blue Heat and Goessel kept the Eagles off the scoreboard the remainder of the contest. Coach Hoopes cleared the bench and Olivia Duerksen put in two and Riley Jarvis hit the back end of two free throws. The contest ended 59-31. Goessel accepted the championship plaque after a long week.
Alicen Meysing put up 12 (50 FG% and 50 FT%) huge points for the Blue, scoring in every quarter and pulled down 6 boards. Eden Hiebert also collected 12 (2 threes 50 FG3%) on the night, 6 steals, and only committed two turnovers despite being a primary ball-handler. The balanced Bluebird scoring attack included Page Hiebert with 11 (3/4 from the line) and Aleena Cook with 10 . Brittney Hiebert scored 5 but led the Bluebirds with 8 rebounds and was credited with an incredible 9 steals on the night. Olivia Duerksen followed with 4. Also contributing: Jen Meysing and Kara Burkholder with 2 apiece and Riley Jarvis with 1. In the game off the bench were: Ashley Hiebert, Savannah Wuest, Abby Hannon, and Leah Booton. Goessel shot 54% from the line (7/13) and 33% from the floor while keeping their turnover total at 20. Statistician for the Bluebirds is Shelbi Stultz. Thanks to all the managers, coaches, statistician and others who help make this team run!
