Staff writer
In the Eli J. Walter Tournament at Berean Academy, Goessel opened play with Stafford.
Stafford scored first, but then the Bluebirds scored 23 points in to take a 21-point lead. The barrage of points continued as Goessel led 45-5 at half-time and 61-14 at the end of three quarters. With a running clock and the bench getting minutes in the fourth quarter, the final score ended with the Bluebirds winning 65-16.
Eden Hiebert scored 28 points and Brittney Hiebert added 13 in the lopsided win.
Thursday, the Bluebirds tangled with the Dragons from Halstead. In a low scoring first quarter the teams stayed close. Goessel led 7-6 at the end of the first break.
Stephany Meyer got a steal and lay-up in the second quarter to get as close at 13-11, but Halstead led by four at halftime.
The Bluebirds scored no field goals in the third period until Olivia Duerksen grabbed a rebound and sank a basket late in the quarter. Goessel trailed 28-17 with one quarter to play.
After a 3-pointer by the Dragons, Goessel again trailed by 11 points. Brittney Hiebert, playing with four fouls, went to work on the offensive glass, scoring 6 unanswered points along with a Jenn Meysing free throw, and the Bluebirds trailed 31-27 with less than 3 minutes to play.
Goessel missed a lay-up and Halstead hit another 3-pointer to extend its lead to 7 points. Eden Hiebert hit two free throws, Halstead made a basket and free throw, and then Brittney Hiebert swished a long 3-pointer to get the Bluebirds within four points with 44 seconds to play. Halstead rebounded one of their own missed free throws and the Bluebirds saw their chances slip away in the final seconds as Halstead won 38-32.
Brittney Hiebert ended the evening with 12 points, and Eden Hiebert had 10.
The Central Christian Cougars were next in Saturday’s third place contest. Goessel again got into early foul trouble, and the Cougars scored 15 points in the first quarter to take a surprising 4 point lead at the break. The Bluebirds tried to fight back, but mistakes allowed Central Christian to stay ahead 21-20 at halftime.
Goessel’s defense remained stellar in the third quarter and allowed the Bluebirds to get ahead by 8 points at the break. Brittney Hiebert gave the Bluebirds an offensive burst, going to work on the boards and scoring high percentage baskets. Goessel extended its lead to a final score of 45-32 to capture third.
Brittney Hiebert tallied 20 points, and Eden Hiebert notched 10 points. The Goessel girls are now 11-2 overall and hope to remain unbeaten in Wheat State League games with Little River and Centre this week.