GHV girls end season with disappointing losses

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura girls dropped their final two games of the regular season and were defeated in a close contest in the opening round of playoffs to end their 2015-16 season.

North Union 56, GHV 29

The Cardinals faced the number one team in the Top of Iowa West Division on Tuesday night, Feb. 9.  North Union (12-3, 16-4) showed GHV why they led the conference with a 56-29 victory.

North Union came out hot and held GHV to only six first quarter points, while they collected 20.

The second quarter was better for the Cards.  Jillian Heitland hit a three point shot to open the quarter and Hannah Lau added seven points to close the gap a little bit before halftime, 38-20.

“We simply did not come ready to play,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.  “We played with very little effort and no attention to detail.”

The third quarter was slow for both teams, with GHV being held to only two points and North Union to seven, 45-22.  The Warriors added 11 more points in the fourth quarter and the Cardinals seven for the final, 56-29.

GHV committed 35 turnovers in the game.

“They scored as many points off our turnovers as we did points,” said Erpelding.

Lau was 2/4 from the three-point line and led the team with 10-points.  Mikaya Shropshire was close behind with eight points.  Anderson and Heitland each hit one three-point shot.

Lau led the team under the boards with six rebounds, followed by Shropshire and Taryn Carolus with four rebounds apiece.

Anderson led the team in assists with three.  Lau and Shropshire each had three steals and Miranda Jackson grabbed two.  Lau also had two blocked shots and Jade Hanson had one.

Eagle Grove 49, GHV 45

The Cardinals put up a good fight on Thursday, Feb. 11, when they hosted Eagle Grove (2-14, 4-17).  Some missed free throws and too many turnovers cost GHV the game, 49-45.

“We gave them confidence early in the game and when you do that to a struggling team they can play very well,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.

The first half was close, with the Eagles managing a five-point lead before a three-point shot with :13 remaining by Hannah Lau closed the gap to 24-23 before the half.

The second half was just as close, with back and forth scoring throughout.  With :55 remaining the score was tied, 45-45.  The difference in the game came down to the free throws, with Eagle Grove going 5/6 from the line to capture the 49-45 victory.

The second half effort was much better, but we struggled getting what we wanted on the offensive end,” said Erpelding.

Lau had a fantastic night for the Cardinals, picking up a double-double, with 24-points and 13 rebounds.  She also led the team in assists with four and picked up three steals and one blocked shot.

Rounding out the scoring was Jillian Heitland with eight points, Mikaya Shropshire added five and Ashlee Diaz had four points.  Miranda Jackson and Jade Hanson had two-points apiece.

Shropshire led the team in steals with six.

Algona 52, GHV 49

The GHV girls gave it their all in the opening round of the 3A Regional Quarterfinal played in Algona on Saturday, Feb. 13.  In the end the host Bulldogs (13-9) prevailed, 52-49.

“I felt this was the best we have played all year and I am disappointed my girls don’t get the opportunity to advance to the next round,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.

The Cardinals opened the game in a big way, with the first four of five field goals being three-point shots to jump to an early, 16-8 lead in the first quarter.

Algona battled back in the second quarter and went on a seven point lead to take the lead, 24-21.  Maddie Williams sunk a three at the buzzer to knot the score, 24-24, heading into the half.

The Bulldogs hit some threes in the second half and took a 41-30 lead early in the fourth quarter.  Free throws were key in the fourth quarter for the Cards, as they connected on 8/12.  Hannah Lau hit a three with :19 remaining to bring the score to within one, 49-48.  A couple of free throws on the end for the Bulldogs gave them the 52-49 victory and the chance to continue on the tournament trail.

“The contact around the basket was being officiated different on dribble penetration than it was on post attacks.  This resulted in us have a very difficult time finishing shots,” said Erpelding.  “I commend my girls for playing through that and never giving up.”

Lau and Jillian Heitland led the team with 16-points apiece.  Williams also ended in double figures with 10-points.

Lau also led under the boards with 16 rebounds. She also had five steals, three assists and one blocked shot.

Taryn Carolus and Miranda Jackson had four rebounds apiece.

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura girls finished the regular season near the bottom of the Top of Iowa West Division Conference with a 3-18 record and a 5-16 overall record.  They were eighth in the nine team division.  North Union led the conference with a record of 13-3, 17-4.