Too Much Heat
Goessel Varsity Girls Basketball - @ Rural Vista January 4, 2019
In their first return to action after the holiday break, Goessel’s varsity girls kept it close for a quarter in the friendly confines of Hope Arena. Rural Vista’s Heat is ranked #8 (KBCA December 17 1A rankings). With two treys in the first quarter, the Bluebird ladies stayed at 9-13 before defensive pressure from the Heat left it at 13-29 at the half. Goessel was in foul trouble early and the Heat’s tight and aggressive defense held ace Stephany Meyer to no field goals on the night. Liz Schmucker had a breakout night with 10 to lead Bluebird scorers and the contest ended 24-53.
At 7:14, Goessel took its first and only lead of the night 3-2 with a gorgeous trey from Madi Smith from so far out it shook the black, silver and white cornrows of every guest so accommodated. Rural Vista does a great job of ball movement and effectively used high/low and in/out to gain traction in the paint. Meyer hit the front end of two charities then Schmucker stopped short for a nifty pop to stay at 6-6. With 3:30 left in the first, fouls stood at 7 for Goessel and 1 for the home team Heat. Both #11 Meyer and #11 Campuzano sat with fouls prior to the end of the 1st. With 1:03 left Porclein Unruh launched one from the very spot the bus broke down across the tracks and banked it in to the delight of the assembled masses. 9-13. The Heat missed four straight from the line but kept pounding inside. With under 2 minutes left Rural Vista pulled back their front court pressure at 10-25 and almost immediately Schmucker set and delivered a long range three from somewhere close to Ramona to go to 13-27, with the half closing at 13-29.
The 2nd (4-16) and 3rd (4-17) were disheartening for the Bluebird squad. Schmucker was fouled on a runner and hit both charities, then Meyer hit the back end of one, then Unruh also swooshed 1 of 2 for 4 for 6 free throw shooting but that is all the Blue could muster in the 3rd, which ended 17-46. In the absolute best execution of the night, Schmucker bounced back door to Smith who closed to 19-46 with the exquisite finish. At 5:16 this one went to running clock. Schmucker put up yet another fine long range effort, this one seeming like it really was originated in the 2nd gym. 24-51. Goessel tied the Heat in the fourth quarter 7-7. Meyer fouled out with 1:45 left and this contest closed at 24-53.
Liz Schmucker led Goessel scorers tonight with 10, Madi Smith added 7, Porclein Unruh put up 4, Stephany Meyer tallied 2 and Bethany Herrel notched 1 . Also in for Goessel were: Haley O’Neal, Raechel Boese, Megan Guerrero, Becca Sawyer, and Liz Alderfer. Goessel goes to 3-4 (2-1 Wheat State League) on the year.
-Karl Brubaker
