By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Goessel girls’ basketball team captured the Bluebird Classic championship with a 39-31 win over Elyria Christian on Saturday, capping a sweep of all three tournament opponents.

The Bluebirds got the opening tip and passed down court where Alicen Meysing finished. Eden Hiebert pushed up the floor on the next possession and the Bluebirds led 4-0. But the Eagles stayed close, closing the gap to 8-7 as the first quarter ended.

Goessel’s defense only allowed three points in the second period. Page Hiebert did all the Goessel scoring, knocking down eight close-range points off inside passes and offensive rebounds. The Bluebirds led 16-10 at halftime.

Page Hiebert scored to start the third quarter, but Elyria hit eight consecutive points to tie the game 18-18. Meysing hit two free throws, Page Hiebert scored, and Erin Brubaker banked one in to force Elyria to take a timeout. Meysing scored five more points as the Bluebirds took a nine point lead, 31-22, at the end of three quarters.

Elyria began the fourth quarter by playing deliberate basketball and got as close as 31-28. The Bluebirds took 3 1/2 minutes to score as Aleena Cook dropped in two free throws and then hit a 3-pointer to give the Bluebirds a 36-28 lead with 2:27 to play in the game. The Bluebirds spread out their offense to eat time off the clock and preserve a 39-31 win.

Page Hiebert led the Bluebirds with 16 points, Meysing had 11, and Cook scored 6.

Central Christian

Cook sparkled from long range in the first half against Central Christian on Tuesday, hitting three 3-pointers and scoring 12 points. Page Hiebert tallied 10 first-half points as Goessel took a 22-13 lead into halftime.

Goessel outscored Central in the third period 18-6 with Eden Hiebert knocking down nine points, and the Bluebirds coasted to a 56-30 win.

Top scorers for the Bluebirds against Central Christian included Page Hiebert with 18, Cook, 14, Eden Hiebert, 10, Alicen Meysing, 6.

Burrton

Goessel jumped out to a 17-3 lead against Burrton on Friday. The defense produced many stops and the taller Bluebirds out-rebounded the visitors 31-18. Goessel extended its lead to 24-8 at halftime. Three Bluebirds ended the game in double figures as Cook and Page Hiebert collected layups off rebounds and steals. Reserves picked up valuable varsity experience as the Bluebirds finished the game ahead 48-27.

Cook led Goessel with 14 points, Page Hiebert had 12, Eden Hiebert had 11, and Meysing 6.

Goessel is 4-0 and goes on the road Friday to face Hope, one of the Wheat State League’s toughest teams.