Contributing writer
Quick hands and scrappy defense allowed the Raiders from Argonia to streak to a 22-6 lead at the end of the first quarter against the Goessel High School girls’ basketball team Jan. 10.
The Bluebirds trailed by 14 at halftime and 15 at the end of three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Goessel got some stops on defense to allow them to cut into the deficit. A field goal by Johanna Hoffman, two free throws by Alex Hiebert, 5 points from D’Ambra Kruger, a basket by Ali Buller and a free throw by Aimee Flaming ended the scoring for the Bluebirds with a 12-point loss, 49-37.
For the game, Hiebert ended with 10 points; Kruger made 8; Buller, 6; Hoffman, 6; Jessica Harvey, 4; and Flaming, 3 points.
On Friday, the game started out much the same for the Bluebirds as Elyria raced to a 10-1 first-quarter lead. Goessel made five free throws in the second quarter, but Elyria led, 20-6, at halftime.
The Bluebirds got their first field goal after 16 minutes of basketball, when Hoffman nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner to start the third period. Elyria answered with a 3 of their own, and then Kruger scored 2 points.
Although the Bluebirds began to get production from their offense, the Eagles continued to score. Hoffman and Buller scored in the last part of the quarter, but Elyria remained ahead, 34-15, at the end of three quarters. Buller hit four of four free throws in the fourth period and Hoffman canned another 3-pointer from the left side. Goessel’s last points came from Harvey, who scored 2 free-throws, but Elyria finished the game ahead, 39-24.
Leading the scoring for the Bluebirds were Buller and Hoffman with 8 points each. Harvey hit four free throws, Kruger had 2 points, and Flaming and Hiebert each scored 1 point.
The Bluebirds are now 1-3 in the Wheat State League and 2-8 overall. The Goessel girls will play in the Berean Tournament next.