GHV girls face tough competition

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura girls basketball team faced some tough competition this week as they met two of the top teams in the Top of Iowa Conference.

North Union 50, GHV 41

A slow first quarter doomed the Cardinal girls on Friday, Jan. 6, on the road against undefeated North Union (7-0, 10-0).

GHV got behind 12-2 early in the first quarter and ended the period trailing, 14-6.

Hannah Lau opened the second quarter scoring 10-points to spark some offense.  Jillian Heitland added two three-point shots, to trail by only one-point at half, 23-22.

“We started the third quarter very poorly on both ends of the floor,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.

North Union took an 34-26 lead in the third quarter, before back-to-back field goals by Lau and another shot by Maddie Williams closed the gap to 37-32.  Heitland connected from the arc end the third trailing, 39-35.

GHV just couldn’t get any closer and North Union went on to win the game, 50-41.

“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” said Erpelding.  “I thought we played as well as we have all year against the best team we have played all year.”

Lau had a tremendous night for the Cardinals, scoring 26-points to go with her nine rebounds and two assists.

Heitland also had a good game with nine-points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Jade Hanson had a good night under the boards, pulling in seven rebounds.

Algona 50, GHV 32

The Cardinals were back in action the next night when they hosted another tough team in Algona (10-1).

“We did not play well in this game at any point,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.  “I’m hoping it was due to the physically and mentally draining game we had the night before.”

The Bulldogs came ready to play and got off to any early 19-7 in the first quarter. Hannah Lau gave it her best effort in the first quarter, scoring all of the Cardinals’ points.

The second quarter was slow offensively for both teams.  Algona took a 27-11 lead into the half.

The Cardinals picked up their scoring in the second half.  Both Maddie Williams and Hannah Lau connected on three-point shots to get to within 10 points, 33-22.  Unfortunately for the Cards, the Bulldogs were also hitting threes as they put the game out of reach for GHV and claimed the 50-32 win.

“Statistically we were better in almost all categories, but we turned the ball over 31 times, which was obviously the difference in the game,” said Erpelding.

Lau had a double-double for the night, with 18-points and 11 rebounds.

Jade Hanson put in eight points, to go with her five rebounds.

Mara Anderson had five rebounds and two steals.