Contributing writer
On Feb. 7, two teams with similar records tangled at the Goessel High School gym. White City jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but during the first quarter, Goessel gained a 1-point lead with scoring from Johanna Hoffman, Ali Buller, and Alex Hiebert. The Huskies finished the quarter ahead, 10-7.
Jessica Harvey sparked a rally in the second quarter giving the Bluebirds a 17-16 lead, but they trailed by 1 at halftime when White City connected on two free-throws.
Goessel kept the game close but were never able to gain the lead. The Bluebirds scored 11 points in the third quarter but trailed, 32-28. In the fourth quarter, White City opened up a 7-point lead, 37-30. From that point, the Goessel girls were the aggressive team on the floor. D’Ambra Kruger and Harvey each hit a free throw, Buller scored, Hoffman had a steal and a 3-pointer to get as close as 39-37. Kruger, Harvey, and Hoffman all scored again to tie the score at 44 with 12 seconds to play. Goessel had the last possession in regulation but was not able to connect.
After a White City basket in overtime, Buller tied the game with a goal of her own. The Huskies went ahead on two free throws, 48-46. Goessel had one more opportunity for a score after a steal by Aimee Flaming with 13 seconds to play. Two Bluebird shots missed their mark as White City won.
Leading GHS was Harvey with 16 points; Hoffman, 10 points; Buller, 6 points and 11 rebounds; Flaming, 4 points and 2 steals; Kruger, 4 points; Hiebert, 4 points; and Makayla King, 2 points.
Peabody-Burns
On Friday night, Flaming notched a season-high 12 points, but the Bluebirds were shooting less than 20 percent from the field and Peabody-Burns left town with a 42-30 win. After falling behind early, freshman Erin Brubaker gave the Bluebirds a 5-4 lead with her first varsity basket of the season. The Warriors were able to score 8 consecutive points to lead at the end of the first quarter, 12-5.
Jo Hoffman hit a jumper, then Flaming and Harvey each hit baskets to get the Bluebirds as close as 11-14. D’Ambra Kruger also scored in the quarter, but Peabody-Burns took a 18-13 lead at halftime.
The Warriors got out to a 10-point lead several minutes into the third period. Hoffman hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 7, and two free throws by Alex Hiebert cut the deficit to 26-21.
Goessel trailed by a score of 40-25 with 3:40 to play in the game, and free throws by Hoffman and a second 3-pointer by Flaming brought the score to 42-30. Together both teams missed seven free throws to end the game with a win for Peabody-Burns.
Leading the way for Goessel were Flaming with 12 points; Hoffman, 8 points; Harvey, 4 points and 8 rebounds; Brubaker, Kruger, and Hiebert all with 2 points each. The Goessel girls ended the Wheat State League season with a record of 1-7. Overall the girls are now 3-14.