Bluebirds Win on Kansas Day
Goessel Varsity Girls Basketball - v. Elyria Christian January 29, 2019
On Kansas Day 2019, Goessel’s Lady Bluebirds took the floor seeking a Wheat State W. Playing against Elyria’s starting four freshmen, Goessel played tough defense, put on a respectable ball-handling show, and led at the end of each quarter. Stephany Meyer led the Blue in the high octane 18-12 3rd quarter, scored in every quarter and finished with 18 on the night. The Bluebirds had defeated the Eagles 26-14 on December 4th. Goessel went up 24-12 in the 3rd, the Eagles came storming back to close within one with 11 seconds in the 4th, but the Birds were able to hold on for the 33-32 win.
In the intensive defense of the first half, the Eagles jumped to a 0-4 lead until 2:18. Goessel’s Meyer caught a loose bal and laid it in for two. Liz Schmucker, Madi Smith and Porclein Unruh played single up front court pressure nearly the entire night to thwart the Eagle ball-handlers and were credited with hustle points several time on D. With 24 ticks left, Schmucker hit from 10 feet to tie and Meyer hit both charities to go up 6-4 to close the quarter, the first and only lead change of the night.
Fans have not frequently seen quality ball movement from this team like the squad demonstrated several times tonight. Schmucker found Haley O’Neal going back door and hit her in stride. O’Neal hit one charity, then Meyer took giant strides down the floor for the 9-6 lead on a great finish. Meyer was credited with a near perfect defensive stop and Elyria put up their first outside shot of the half at 2:00 9-8. Although the Blue lost the 3-4 2nd quarter, great defensive work and minimal turnovers were highlights of a well-played contest. The half finished 9-8.
Both teams stepped up the pace out of the break. Meyer looked strong in transition with two buckets. Unruh bounced perfectly to Liz Alderfer inside and Liz laid it in +1. Next time down the floor Madi Smith drove a bullet to a waiting Unruh for two more; two great looks. One more foray from Meyer was quickly followed by another excellent in-pass from O’Neal to Senior Meyer for the biggest Bluebird lead of the night 24-12. O’Neal had her toe on the arc but got a long two, but the Eagles spread their wings and went on a 6-1 tear to close the 18-12 quarter at 27-20.
Stephany went coast to coast and finished to go up 29-22, caught a bounce from Unruh for two more but the Eagles kept finding openings and chipped it back to 33-30 when Clark fouled out at 3:13. Timeout Bluebirds 3:56 and then Elyria at 1:16. Freshman Peters went to the line for the Eagles but missed both charities and Goessel called time at 0:31. With 11 seconds left Junior Adamyk went to the line and stroked both charities to get to 33-32 but that is where things ended up in the hard-fought closely contested Kansas Day matchup. Goessel goes to 5-10 overall and 4-3 in the Wheat State League with the win.
Stephany Meyer led all scorers with a great night and 18. Liz Schmucker finished with 4 and played some great defensive minutes as well as going 2 for 2 from the line. Porclein Unruh started this evening, showed strong on D, finished with 4, and Liz Alderfer also contributed 4, all in the 3rd quarter. Haley O’Neal finished with 3. Also in for Goessel were Madison Smith, putting in great minutes with key ball-handling, Rachael Boese, Megan Guerrero, Rebecca Sawyer, and Bethany Herrel.
-Karl Brubaker
