Contributing writer
The Goessel Bluebird girls ended a three-game losing streak with a crowd-thrilling finish at home on Friday, defeating Centre in overtime, 50-48. The game was close throughout, but Goessel turnovers kept the team from gaining a lead, and Centre ended the first quarter up by one, 7-6.
The scoring picked up in the second quarter for both teams and Goessel got points from Alex Hiebert, Erin Brubaker, Johanna Hoffman, Makayla King and Aleena Cook. The half ended in a tie 19-19.
In the third quarter, Jessica Harvey scored on a fast break, Hoffman made a lay-up, and Alex Hiebert put in a basket giving the Bluebirds a lead of 26-19. After a timeout, Centre scored six consecutive points, but then it was the Bluebirds turn to go on an offensive tear with five free-throws and a three-point basket from Alyssa Booton. Harvey hit a free throw late in the quarter giving the Bluebirds a 35-28 lead at the end of three quarters.
Page Hiebert hit five free throws in the face of a Cougar comeback, but her team missed seven free throws in the last three minutes. Centre methodically converted points tying the game 43-43 with 15 seconds to play.
Centre scored a basket after a timeout, taking a 45-43 lead. The Bluebirds called timeout with 1.2 seconds on the clock and needed to go the length of the court to tie. Alex Hiebert took the ball from the referee and a Centre defender guarded her closely along the baseline. As Hiebert ran sideways out of bounds looking for an open teammate, the Centre defender followed and plowed over Jessica Harvey set strong under the bucket. The foul sent Harvey to the line with a chance to tie the game. Harvey sank both free throws, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, Harvey hit a lay-up and Cook hit a free throw, giving the Bluebirds a 48-45 lead. The Cougars tied the game 48-48 but sent Harvey to the charity stripe with five seconds on the clock. Harvey came through under pressure again and sank two for Goessel’s fourth Wheat State League win.
For Goessel, Harvey ended with 13 points, Alex Hiebert 10 points, Hoffman nine points, and Page Hiebert seven points and 15 rebounds. Brubaker, Booton, and Cook scored three ponts, and King ended with two.
Little River takes lopsided win over Goessel
Little River took advantage of Bluebird turnovers on Jan. 29 and commanded a 19-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. Both teams scored 10 points in the second period and the Redskins went into the locker room with a 29-15 lead.
Little River dominated the second half, posting a 56-27 victory in the Wheat State League.
Scoring for Goessel was Alex Hiebert with 10 points, Jessica Harvey nine points, Page Hiebert six points, and Erin Brubaker two points.
The Goessel girls are now 4-2 in League games and 7-8 overall. Goessel will have two away games this week at White City and Peabody.