Contributing writer
The Goessel High School girls’ basketball team placed second in their home tournament, the Bluebird Classic, going 2-1 in the tournament.
Central Christian
In the first round of the Bluebird Classic, the Goessel girls out-hustled Central Christian to a 48-12 victory.
Aleena Cook, Anna Wiens, and Alyssa Booton put the Bluebirds ahead 8-2 in the first quarter. Page Hiebert hit a 3-pointer and then went coast-to-coast with a steal and layup to give the Bluebirds a 13-4 lead. Jennifer Meysing hit a basket with 10 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Bluebirds a 21-4 lead at the break.
Great transition basketball allowed Goessel to score multiple layups in the third period. Page Hiebert, Alicen Meysing, Cook, and Ashley Hiebert all scored baskets from close range. The Bluebirds led 38-6 after three periods, causing a running clock for the entire fourth quarter. The Bluebirds converted points from set plays on inbound passes as they went on to win 48-12.
Scoring against Central Christian were Page Hiebert, 16; Cook, 8; Booton, 7; Ashley Hiebert, 4; Makayla King, 4; Anna Wiens, 4; Alicen and Jennifer Meysing, 2 each; and Chelsea Stika, 1 point.
Elyria Christian
Two players hit double digits in scoring against Elyria Christian on Friday night in Goessel’s 43-25 win.
Goessel scored in streaks, leading 12-4 at the end of the first period. The Bluebirds hit six free throws in the second quarter, added to two field goals to jump out to a 22-9 lead at halftime.
The transition game worked very well in the third period as the Bluebirds got a layup from Page Hiebert and three layups from Alicen Meysing. Goessel led 35-15 at the end of the third period. In the fourth quarter, good defense led to seven points from Page Hiebert and a free throw from Stika as Goessel coasted to a 43-25 win.
Scoring for the Bluebirds against Elyria Christian: Page Hiebert, 18; Alicen Meysing, 10; Cook, 6; Erin Brubaker, 4; Booton, 4; and Stika, 1.
Little River
Goessel faced tremendous tradition in the game with Little River, but the Bluebirds stayed close to the visitors in the championship game on Saturday.
Goessel fell behind 7-0 and fans wondered if this would be another lopsided loss, as so many games with Little River have ended. In the second period, the Redskins stretched their lead to 19-9, but Jennifer Meysing connected on a 3-pointer, then sister Alicen Meysing hit a three off the glass, and Riley Jarvis swished a 3-pointer and suddenly the Bluebirds trailed by only three, 21-18.
The first half ended with Little River maintaining a 27-20 lead. In the third period, both teams only scored four points each with Little River still ahead by seven points.
Alicen Meysing put the finishing touches on some nice passes from teammates in the fourth period, but Little River built a 42-30 lead with 3:45 to play in the game. Cook hit a lay-up, Page Hiebert hit one of two free-throws, then Cook tossed in a 3-pointer to get Goessel within seven points. Time ran out on the Bluebird rally as Little River won the championship match, 45-38.
Scoring for the Bluebirds against Little River: Alicen Meysing, 13 points and 7 rebounds; Cook, 13; Jarvis, 5; Page Hiebert, 4 points and 7 rebounds; and Jennifer Meysing, 3. The Goessel girls are now 2-2 with a game at Wakefield on Friday to begin the Wheat State League contests.