Staff writer
A poor shooting night for the Goessel girls basketball team against Centre resulted in a 37-21 loss in the finals of the substate tournament Saturday at Rosalia, ending the Bluebirds’ season.
Although Goessel led 10-8 at the end of the first quarter, the Bluebirds appeared to be struggling on offense. The Bluebirds hit no field goals in the second period. Scoring only one point, and with Centre controlling the boards, Goessel trailed 19-11 at halftime.
Goessel missed 6-of-8 free throws in the third period. Page Hiebert hit the only Bluebirds 3-pointer of the night, but Goessel trailed 18-25 at the end of the quarter.
Shelby Makovec of Centre hit 12 of her 26 points in the fourth quarter, as Goessel continued to struggle from the field. Centre hit 8-of-10 free throws to seal the 37-21 and advance to the state tournament.
Hiebert scored 8 for Goessel, followed by Alicen Meysing with 6, and Aleena Cook with 4.
It was the final game for seniors Chelsea Stika, Erin Brubaker and Makayla King. Goessel’s season ended with a 19-4 record.
Thursday results
The Goessel girls played steady, but could not jump out to a significant lead against Flinthills High School for 20 minutes. In the end, the Bluebird defense and speed paid off as Goessel won 47-29.
The Bluebirds have used screens and lob passes to post players under the basket for most of their points this season, and the Mustangs were prepared to defend in the lane. Goessel lost many passes in the first quarter and could not connect from any distance, leading 9-6 against a scrappy Mustang defense.
Meysing started the Bluebirds scoring in the second period, but Flinthills tied the game at 11. King hit a jumper off the glass before Page Hiebert gathered in an offensive rebound for a score. The Bluebirds led 17-12 at the half.
Goessel grabbed momentum to open the third quarter, as Cook sprinted down court for a layup and Eden Hiebert notched a free throw. The third 3-pointer in the game for the Mustangs cut the Goessel lead to 4 points. The taller Bluebirds dominated rebounding from that point on, gradually building a 15-point lead at the end of the third period.
Brittney Hiebert scored 11 second half points, her most productive game this year, to help propel the Bluebirds to the finals against Centre. Goessel won by a final score of 47-29.
Page Hiebert scored 22 points with 15 rebounds. Brittney Hiebert added 11 points, Cook scored 6, and Meysing had 4.