PLAY CANTON/GALVA FOR TRIP TO STATE
By Staff
GOESSEL – On Friday, playing for the first time in two weeks, the Elyria Christian boys managed to pull away in the second half and score a decisive 29-point, 57-28 win over Goessel in their Class 1A Division I sub-state semi-finals.
Now 18-3 for the season, the Eagles will play at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday in the sub-state finals against Canton/Galva (16-6), a team they have already defeated twice during the regular season. The game will guarantee a McPherson County representative at the Class 1A Division I state tournament next week in Dodge City.
“I was not sure how we would come out after having two weeks without a game,” noted Eagle head coach Zach Goodrich. “Then there are the nerves of the first contests of sub-state to consider. I was very proud of the guys because it is not easy. I thought Goessel came out ready to play and battled on their home floor. Their coach always has his team competing at a high level and we knew it was going to be about matching their intensity.”
The Eagles held a four-point, 15-11 lead by the end of the first quarter and while they only scored seven second quarter points, their defense held Goessel to just five, giving Elyria a six-point, 22-16 advantage at the halftime break.
It was all Elyria in the second half as they outscored Goessel 17-5 in the third quarter and 18-7 in the fourth to earn the final 29-point victory.
Shooting 47% from the field and 80% from the free throw line helps as well while the Eagles defense forced Goessel into making 15 turnovers.
Talking about the game, Goodrich added, “The first half was a two-week layoff type of half and we struggled to find rhythm with open looks. I liked the shots we were getting but just barely missing. The second half was more like us, and it is good to see a half like that heading into the next contest.”
Johnny Unruh and Ty Romero led the Eagles in scoring with 16 and 14 points, respectively while Landon Schneider and Andrew Huxman did much of the work in the paint by each grabbing six rebounds. It was a team effort on offense as five Eagles dished out a pair of assists and four recorded blocked shots.
(Andrew Huxman)
“Johnny (Unruh) had a solid game and continues to grow each week,” explained coach Goodrich when turning his thoughts on the players. “Ty (Romero) was able to get going in the second half, attacking the basket and hitting the mid-range shot. Across the board we had solid contributions on the offensive end from Alex (Robertson), Caleb (Laney), and Andrew (Huxman) with all finishing with six points.”
Coach Goodrich concluded his post-game reflections by saying, “We know it will be a challenge against Canton/Galva. They have improved since we last played them and they have a fantastic plyer in Jett Vincent who had a fantastic outing tonight against Sylvan/Lucas. The game should be a good environment.”
ELYRIA CHRISTIAN EAGLES vs. Goessel at Class 1A Division I Sub-State Semi-Finals
SCORING: EAGLES > 15-7-17-18 = 57; Goessel > 11-5-5-7 = 28.
TEAM STATS: EAGLES > 2-FGs – 14/24; 3-PTs – 7/20; FTs – 8/10; AST – 12; REBs – 30; TO – 10; STLs – 10; BLKs – 4; FLs – 13. Goessel > 2-FGs – 8/22; 3-PTs – 3/18; FTs – 3/7; AST – 5; REBs – 26; TO – 15; STLs – 6; BLKs – 0; FLs – 8.
ELYRIA CHRISTIAN EAGLES INDIVIDUAL STATS: Scoring > Johnny Unruh – 16; Ty Romero – 14; Alex Robertson – 6; Caleb Laney – 6; Andrew Huxman – 6; Landon Schneider – 4; James Schott – 3; Axton Fields – 2. 3-Pointers Made > Unruh, Romero, A. Robertson – 2; Laney – 1. Assists > Unruh, Romero, A. Robertson, Laney, Schott – 2; Huxman, Gavin Robertson – 1; Rebounds > Schneider, Huxman – 6; A. Robertson – 5; Laney, Silas Redenbaugh – 3; Unruh, Romero, Schott – 2; Blake Robertson – 1. Steals > Schott – 3; Romero, A. Robertson, Schneider – 2; Laney – 1. Blocked Shots > Romero, Laney, Schneider, Huxman – 1.
(The Staff covering events for the MAC AREA SPORTS NEW can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)