Sunflower Stalwarts 2026
Goessel Girls Basketball – @ Goessel v. Elyria Christian Tuesday February 10, 2026
The Elyria Christian Eagles returned to Bluebird territory tonight as if it were their home court – in fact, this
year it has been as the Elyria gym floor was severely damaged by water some time ago. The Eagles have been
playing most of their home basketball games at Goessel this year. The Lady Eagles appeared ready to avenge
an earlier 49-46 December 13 th loss to the Lady Bluebirds. Tonight, Goessel would be without key Freshman
Bella O’Neill, out with injury, and Freshman Mackenzie Voth had to sit much of tonight with a re-injured ankle.
Despite these injuries, the Bluebirds and Eagles played even for two quarters. A disastrous third left this one in
the L column for Goessel 25-34.
Goessel Junior Jenna Flaming has been named a Sunflower State Stalwart by the Kansas Pregame organization.
This designation recognizes key team players across the state who “fly under the radar of statewide media” but
who have a key role on their team. These athletes “come to work every day” but “may not have the individual
statistics to earn the accolades that go along with team success.” Goessel coach Ryan Hoopes nominated
Flaming for this honor and she was named this week. Flaming earned this nomination as a team captain.
Coach Hoopes indicates “her value and worth on our team is extraordinary” and that “her daily example has
earned the trust of others.” Hoopes added “Flaming consistently brings enthusiasm and selflessness to the
gym. . . I always know that I’m going to get 100% effort from Jenna when she is on the court, or on the bench
or cheering on others.” Congratulations Jenna for this honor! This is certainly an aspiration for all team
members regardless of sport or activity….we hope each Bluebird athlete or activity participant earns a GHS
Sunflower Stalwart tag.
Key to tonight's contest would again be corralling Elyria Senior ball-handler Grace Prescott and 5’-10” Junior Joy
Pyle. Goessel would double Pyle in the middle, but the big inside post would still put up 18 on the night. The
Bluebirds jumped out quickly on a great save by Abi Johnson to Voth for two; unfortunately it came at a great
cost as Voth rolled her ankle. Down the floor the next time, Bluebird fans got a rare fist pump and uproarious
smile from Isabelle Alderfer as she drained one from somewhere over Emma Creek. 5-0. Pyle put up three
straight inside until Voth slid another 2 in at 2:22 to go back up 8-6. The quarter ended 8-8 . Alderfer rolled
strong inside for two more and Johnson found the bucket off the glass to retake the lead 12-11. At 2:41,
Hailey Rosfeld was fouled, nearly landing in the clarinet section, and hit all three charities to go up 15-11, but
again Pyle put the hammer down to knot at 15-15 at the half.
Voth put up a nice floater in the paint to stay at 17-18 after the Eagles’ only three of the night, but steals and
points off turnovers played havoc with the home team’s night. This one got away in the 3rd quarter, with the
Bluebirds scoring 2 to the opponent’s 9. 17-24. At the break the Goessel cheer team led in “Go Big Blue” but
the lid on the bucket was shut and the Eagle defense stepped up. Early in the 4 th , key ball-handler Voth had to
sit, again showing pain. It ran to 17-32 until 2:42 when Delaney Duerksen found the range from just beyond
the center court Bluebird beak and moments later Jayley Schmidt drained one with a smile from just in front of
jaw dropped Eagle fans. 23-32. Nivea and Athena Funk each added a charity to finish the 8-10 quarter at 25-
34.
Despite playing only half the game, Mackenzie Voth led Goessel with 7. Isabelle Alderfer put up 5 including
perfection from 3 point range (1/1) and shot 67% from the floor. Alderfer again led in rebounds with 6 and was
credited with 2 “floor points.” Hailey Rosfeld was perfect from the line (3/3) for three. Delaney Duerksen had
the defensive assignment on Prescott and held her to 8 as well as finished with 3 points. Jayley Schmidt
finished with 3, Abi Johnson 2, Nivea Funk and Athena Funk each scored 1. Also in for Goessel were Claire
Claassen, Sofia Flores, Hoxie Hiebert and Jenna Flaming, Goessel goes to 11-6 and Elyria 8-11 on the season.
-Karl Brubaker
