By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

Goessel High School senior Shanna Klassen knocked in 22 points Friday in a 40-37 loss at Elyria. She scored 8 points from the free-throw line and hit 44 percent from the field. The only problem was the rest of the girls basketball team shot 7 percent from the field.

The Bluebirds fell behind at the end of the first quarter, 9-6. Pressure defense from the Bluebirds allowed the visitors to get 9 consecutive points from Klassen and Goessel built a 15-9 lead. Amy Tippin dropped in two 3-pointers for Elyria Christian to cut Goessel’s lead at halftime to 17-15.

The Eagles outscored the Bluebirds 11-4 to take a 5-point lead and Goessel had to play from behind for the rest of the game. The Bluebirds only hit one of five free throws in the last two minutes of the third period, but a Johanna Hoffman 3-pointer kept the Bluebirds within 3 at the break.

After Alex Hiebert scored two free throws and Jessica Harvey hit one from the charity line, Klassen went to work as the only consistent scoring threat for Goessel. She scored 9 points in the last five minutes of the game, getting the Bluebirds as close as 37-38 with one minute to play. Clutch free throws by Tippin, ended the night with 20 points. The Eagles had a 3-point advantage with eight seconds remaining in the game, which the Bluebirds were unable to overcome.

Klassen hit a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Hiebert managed 5 points from the free-throw line with 3 assists. Hoffman scored 5 points, Jennifer Van Horn hit 4 and Jessica Harvey added 1 point with 4 steals.

The weather forced a cancellation of the game Jan. 11 with Flint Hills and the girls will not play again until Monday at the Berean tournament.

The Goessel girls are now 2-7 for the season and 1-3 in the Wheat State League.