Goessel 42, Inman 23

By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

With only seven girls in uniform, the Goessel girls basketball team did not know what to expect.

“We were a bit timid to start ,” coach Ryan Hoopes said.

However, Inman was unable to pull away. At the end of the first quarter, the Teutons had a lead of 7-4. Foul trouble sidelined another Bluebird in the second quarter, but Inman continued to struggle from the field. Goessel scored the last basket of the half and went into the locker room trailing, 12-11.

The Bluebirds came out in the third quarter scoring first on an Alex Hiebert basket. Inman scored twice taking a 16-13 lead. The Bluebirds then scored 10 consecutive points — four from Hiebert, four from Aimee Flaming, and two from Shanna Klassen. Inman managed the last two points of the third quarter, but the Bluebirds led, 23-18.

Hiebert banked in four more points from close range, and when the defense collapsed on her, Klassen scored seven points from the lane to take a 32-18 lead.

Inman finally knocked in some baskets to match the Bluebird scores, but Hiebert pumped in another four points and Jennifer Van Horn hit four free throws in a row to make the final score, Goessel 42, Inman 23.

“Shanna (Klassen) has played in the shadows for three years,” Hoopes said. “She has the experience to know what to do around the basket.”

Klassen ended the game leading the team with four assists and scoring 11 points. Hiebert hit 78 percent from close range for 14 points. Flaming and Van Horn each canned six points. Johanna Hoffman scored four points and Jessica Harvey added one point, but led the team with nine rebounds and six steals.

In spite of only seven players on the floor, Hoopes was pleased with the hustle that he got from the team.

“We have a tough season ahead of us, with Central Christian next week and Argonia on the schedule, both highly ranked teams. This win is a huge confidence builder,” he said.

Goessel hosts the Bluebird Classic this week, with girls games at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. Wins and losses will determine when the teams play on Saturday.