Staff writer
After a season opening victory the week before, the Goessel girls lost three games this week in the Bluebird Classic. The highly ranked Central Christian Cougars were Goessel’s first opponent Dec. 7.
The Bluebirds stayed close in the first quarter, tying the game on a Johanna Hoffman 3-pointer and Jennifer Van Horn bucket, 10-10.
Central Christian’s defense set the pace in the second quarter, as several steals led to easy baskets. The Cougars outscored the Bluebirds 17-1 to take a commanding 27-11 lead near the end of the second quarter. In the second half, Goessel’s offense was stymied by the Cougar defense and the game ended with Central Christian winning, 55-27.
Goessel was led in scoring by Aimee Flaming with two 3-pointers and two field goals for 10 points. Shanna Klassen scored 6 points (4 assists), Jennifer Van Horn dropped in 4 points, Johanna Hoffman 3 points, Alex Hiebert 2 points (7 rebounds), and Jessica Harvey 2 points.
Ryan Hoopes and Tyler Hoopes, brothers, were coaching on opposite sides in Goessel’s second game of the classic on Friday. It was a low-scoring first quarter as Burrton pulled ahead 6-3 at the end of the first quarter. Goessel was blocked out on missed shots and Burrton accumulated most of the rebounds as the Chargers pulled ahead 19-9. D’Ambra Kruger hit her first 3-pointer for the Bluebird varsity this season to inch closer and send the teams into halftime with Burrton leading 19-12.
Goessel had seven consecutive points from its seniors in the second half. Two baskets and a free throw by Klassen and a steal and layup by Van Horn got the Bluebirds within two points, 19-21. The rest of the quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Burrton led at the end of three quarters, 26-23. The Bluebirds tried to gain the advantage in the fourth quarter, but six missed free throws allowed opportunities to slip away. The Chargers won by a final score of 36-32.
Klassen scored 14 points and led the Bluebirds with 9 rebounds. Flaming swished in 7 points, Van Horn scored 4 along with 2 assists and 5 steals. Kruger ended with 4 points, Hiebert 2 points and Harvey added a point.
Elyria Christian
In Saturday’s match up with Elyria Christian, the Bluebirds were frustrated with the zone defense that would allow few offensive rebounds. Goessel led at the end of the first quarter 7-6, but then went dry in the second quarter scoring no points. Elyria led at halftime, 13-7. The Eagles opened up a 15-point lead in the third period, outscoring the Bluebirds 16-7. Goessel made a concerted effort to close the gap, but the Elyria lead was too much to overcome. Elyria won 38-29.
Goessel shot a disappointing 14 percent from the field with Hoffman leading the scoring for Goessel with 8 points. Van Horn collected 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Klassen scored 6 points and dished out 4 assists, Flaming added 5 points, Hiebert 2 points and Harvey 1.
The Bluebirds are now 1-3 and will play at Moundridge Tuesday and at Wakefield Friday.