Illnessess leave some girsl teams short-handed
Staff writers
Some players on county teams were out because of illness.
Goessel takes 5th
The Goessel girls basketball team matched Central Christian for four minutes Friday, but then the Cougars took charge. The Bluebirds had a mini rally in the second quarter with a three- pointer from Aimee Funk and a field goal by Sarah Spurlin to get as close as five points. Goessel’s offense sputtered in the last half, finishing with a loss 47-28. The Bluebirds picked up 10 steals, but committed 25 turnovers.
Cheyenne Sawyer led the team with 8 points, Funk dropped in 6 and Braylyn Hoopes scored 4 points.
Saturday, the Bluebirds played Burrton for fifth place in the Bluebird Classic. Goessel grabbed the lead at the end of one quarter and sustained the lead through half-time 23-19. Turnovers plagued the Bluebirds in the third quarter, and they only scored five points as Burrton scored eight consecutive points and took the lead 31-28 at the break.
The Bluebird offense regained its composure in the last four minutes of the game. Cheyenne Sawyer got a steal and secured a layup, Riley Graber hit a basket from close range and Abbigail Funk made a basket, giving the Bluebirds a five-point lead 40-35. Burrton tied the game with five free-throws and with 16 seconds remaining in the game, Sawyer dribbled through traffic and penetrated the lane, putting up a floater that went in with four seconds remaining. The Bluebirds won their second game of the season 43-41.
Sawyer led the team with 15 points. Abbigail Funk scored 11 and Aimee Funk added 6.
Goessel (2-2) next will play at home against Rural Vista (3-1), as the Wheat State League season begins.
Centre suits up 7
Handicapped by injuries and absences, the Cougars struggled to score against their opponents in last week’s pre-season tournament at Herington.
“We did only suit up seven players due to injuries and other situations,” coach Alan Stahlecker said.
“As inexperienced as this group was, they hung in there and competed better than we had in the first games of the season,” Stahlecker said.
After a loss of 48-18 in the first game against Herington, the team lost to Chase County on Friday 38-10. By the time they played Rural Vista on Saturday, their 13-person roster was down to seven. They lost 42-22.
“Olivia Carlson was the only player that started the first game of the season (Dec. 2) to play in this game. She led on points and rebounds,” Stahlecker said.
Marion finishes 4th
Berean Academy takes first place over Eureka 45-42 in Saturday’s Marion Classic girls final as Marion struggle to keep up with Wichita Independent in a 70-39 loss for fourth.
“This was a tough tournament for us where we got to see some really good competition,” coach Jason Hett said.
Grace Hett and Cali Burkholder led the team in scoring on Saturday, combining 26 points, 12 of those from three-pointers by Grace Hett.
“We know we have to get stronger with the basketball and not commit so many turnovers,” Jason Hett said. “Our girls never gave up this week, and they did some nice things in spots of each game that we can build on and hopefully will help build some confidence.”
Warriors will be on the road Thursday to face off against Medicine Lodge.
Hillsboro attacks
Surviving the first quarter has thus far proven impossible against the Trojans, whose defense has set the tone for miserable nights for opponents in all Hillsboro’s contests.
“The girls are doing well with everything despite being new,” Micah said. “Defense has been our best stat so far, and we’re getting offense from it.”
That’s no lie with the Trojans holding all four of their opponents to under 25% shooting.
It was a 16-3 eruption Friday that put the Lions in a hole they couldn’t escape while Hillsboro’s Savannah Shahan broke loose.
Shahan outscored Inman, Moundridge, and Lyons by herself, racking up 92 total points for a 31-point per game average, capped by a game-high 28 Friday night, including a career-high 34 against Inman.
Zaylee Werth added 9 points, but it was game-highs 9 assists and 7 rebounds where she asserted herself most. Werth’s tournament was highlighted by 12 assists in the waltz over Inman.
Hillsboro was firmly in control by halftime, up 27-10, and were never threatened, shooting 46% for the game while limiting the Lions to 21%.
Peabody 4-on-4
Peabody-Burns has rescheduled a home game against Burrton for Jan. 23.
The Warriors still are trying to find their rhythm after a 52-2 loss to MDCV on Thursday, as well as a 48-11 loss to Altoona Midway on Friday.
The Altoona Midway game was a non-traditional 4-on-4 due to Midway’s team dealing with some illnesses.
“I am proud of how our girls kept their heads high and fought until the end of each game, regardless of the outcome,” coach Austin Weaver said.
Star of the week goes to Alexsis Anderson, their top scorer responsible for 12 of 16 points Peabody-Burns had for the week.
The team will be on the road Friday against Herington.
Last modified Dec. 14, 2022