GHV girls start season with a 3-0 record

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura girls started the 2014-15 season with a bang, jumping out to a 3-0 start.  

GHV 43, Newman 33

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura girls hosted Newman Catholic on Tuesday, Dec. 2.  

The first quarter

 was close, but the Cardinals managed to gain a four point advantage before the end of the quarter, 9-5.  Newman connected on some free throws to open the second quarter and knotted the score at 9-9.  It was back and forth scoring in the remainder of the half, with GHV taking a slight 16-14 lead into the break.

“I didn’t like our first half performance at all,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.  “We committed way too many fouls, as 12 of their 14 first half points came from free throws.  We need to do a better job of adjusting to how the game is being officiated.”

There were plenty of missed shots to open the second half on both sides of the ball.  The Knights connected on two consecutive baskets and tied it up again at 18-18.  A basket by Hannah Lau and two free throws by Emily Spilman put the Cardinals up by three at the end of the third quarter, 25-22.  The Cardinals really picked it up in the fourth quarter, outscoring Newman 18-11, for the final 43-33.

Balanced scoring was key to the Cardinal’s success, with Grace Tusha leading the way with 10 points, followed by Spilman and Lau with eight points apiece.  Sydney Younge and Tiara Van Gerpen had seven and six points respectively and Mackenzie Van Gerpen rounded out the scoring with four points.

Younge and Lau led the team in rebounds, hauling in nine and eight boards respectively.  Spilman had six rebounds and Tusha and Jillian Heitland each had four.

Tiara Van Gerpen and Spilman led the team in steals with five and four respectively.  Spilman and Mackenzie Haag each dished out three assists and Tusha had one blocked shot.

GHV 62, West Hancock 50

It was a competitive game from start to finish when GHV hosted West Hancock on Friday, Dec. 5.

The game opened with balanced scoring in the first quarter.  The Eagles managed a five point lead at one point in the quarter, but the Cardinals went on a five point run and knotted the score 15-15.  The Eagles sunk a shot just before the buzzer for a two-point lead after the first period, 17-15.

The second quarter was tight the entire way, until the Cardinals went on a six point run to gain a lead, 29-24.  They held the lead and headed into half with a three-point lead, 31-28.

After the half, West Hancock battled back and took the lead, 42-36.  GHV powered their way back into the game and knotted the score at 42-42 to end the third period.

Free throws were the key in the fourth quarter, as the Cardinals connected on 11 of 18 from the line.  GHV outscored the Eagles 20-8 in the fourth quarter for the win, 62-50.

“Our defense was very solid in the last few minutes and we got very good minutes from a lot of different girls in this game,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.

Three players hit double digits.  Hannah Lau scored 16 points, followed by Emily Spilman with 15 and Jillian Heitland connected for 11 points.  Grace Tusha had nine points and Sydney Younge added six.

Rebound leaders included Lau and Mackenzie Haag with eight boards apiece.  Spilman and Tusha hauled down six.

Spilman led the team in steals with three and Haag was the assist leader, dishing out eight.

“We continue to see improvement as we get more experience and hopefully we can continue to see that improvement in our quest for a conference championship,” said Erpelding.

The Cardinals travel to Belmond-Klemme on Friday night for a 6:15 p.m. game.