GHV girls advance with OT win over Osage

A never-give-up attitude helped the Garner-Hayfield/Ventura girls basketball team defeat Osage in overtime in the first round of Regionals played Saturday, Feb. 15, in Osage.

“What an amazing basketball game.  Just like every other game we have played against Osage the last two seasons, this game was a defensive battle that went right down to the wire,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.

The defensive battle was evident in the first half, with both teams having a hard time getting a look at the basket.  Osage sunk two three-point shots to take a 19-12 lead in the second quarter.  Bri Bier grabbed some key rebounds and make a bucket to close the gap.  The Green Devils held a slight 19-15 lead heading into halftime.

“Our rebounding effort on the defensive end hurt us early in the second half, but we did a better job rebounding later in the half,” said Erpelding.

Following halftime, the Cardinals kept chipping away at Osage’s lead and were able to tie the game 25-25 toward the end of the third quarter.  The Green Devils added three more points to close the third quarter, 28-25.

In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals trailed 27-31 before Maddie Tusha and Bier each sunk a shot to tie the score.  A steal by Emily Spilman and a defensive rebound by Bier ended the game at a 31-31 draw.  

“Three of our seniors stepped it up big time in overtime,” said Erpelding.  Maddie, Bri and Shelby combined for eight points to ignite our offense.   Our defense was also outstanding in OT.”

Tusha and Bier each knocked down a three and each had a pair of free throws at the end of the game to garner a 10 point lead and win the game, 44-34.

Coach Erpelding also praised the minutes the bench contributed to the game.  “Mackenzie Van Gerpen and Hannah Lau played very well in their first tournament game.  Although they had limited minutes, Courtney and Sydney Younge and Tiara Van Gerpen’s minutes were crucial, as they allowed me to get a few minutes rest for some of the starters, which allowed them to be able to perform the way they did late in regulation and overtime.”

Bier had an outstanding game for the Cardinals, collecting a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.  She also had four assists and one blocked shot.

Rayhons and Tusha each had eight points and five rebounds.  Tusha also collected three assists, five steals and two blocked shots.

Emily Spilman had six points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Rounding out the scoring was Mackenzie Haag and Hannah Lau with four points apiece and Mackenzie Van Gerpen had two points.

The GHV girls face Clear Lake on their home court on Wednesday, Feb. 19, for the Class 3A Region 3 semi-final.