Despite best efforts, GHV falls

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura girls played their hearts out and left everything on the floor Tuesday night, Dec. 13, when they hosted Bishop Garrigan (4-0, 6-0).

“This was the best we have played to date and against probably the best team we have played,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.

The Cardinals gave the undefeated Golden Bears all they could handle.  Behind the hot hand of Jillian Heitland, who connected on back-to-back threes, GHV took an early 7-4 lead. It was back-and-forth scoring for the remainder of the first quarter, but the Cards managed a 14-10 lead.

The threes were falling for both teams in the second quarter.  Bishop Garrigan connected on two treys, bringing the score to within one, 20-19.  Heitland and Hannah Lau both hit threes of their own to take a 32-27 lead into the half.

“Over a couple of minute span in the second quarter we broke down defensively and gave their shooter three open looks at three-pointers and she knocked them down,” said Erpelding.

Heitland opened the second half with yet another three, 35-27.  The Golden Bears hit three baskets in a row to pull to within two-points, 37-35.  Lau ended the third quarter with a basket, giving the Cards a 39-35 lead.

Bishop Garrigan started hitting in the fourth quarter and took their first lead of the game after a three-point shot and two baskets, 42-39.    Again, Heitland’s hot hand came through with another three to regain the lead, 43-42.  With 1:36 remaining in the game, Jade Hanson connected on two free throws for a one-point lead, 47-46.  The Golden Bears made a basket and two free-throws to go up, 50-47.  Maddie Williams was sent to the line with :34 remaining.  She connected on one and missed the other, 50-48.  Unfortunately, time ran out before the Cards could find the basket again.

“Early in the fourth quarter we turned the ball over against their full court pressure and they turned them into layups.  We had a chance to tie the game up in the final seconds, but weren’t able to get the look we wanted,” said Erpelding.

Heitland was five-for-eight from the three-point line on her way to 15-points.  Lau was right behind her with 14-points.  Williams added eight, while Makaya Shropshire had six points.

Lau ended the game with 11 rebounds.  Hanson grabbed

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember]

[wlm_ismember]

four and Mara Anderson had three.

Lau also led the team in assists with eight.  Heitland was the team leader in steals with three.

“It was great to see us play a complete four quarters against a quality opponent.  We also took much better care of the ball committing, 18 turnovers, which is a huge improvement from the 27 we are averaging.  Hopefully we can continue to play at that level and show improvement.”

The team moved their record to 2-3, 3-4.  The team will wrap up the 2016 portion of the season on Thursday, Dec. 22, at Humboldt.  Game time is 6:15 p.m.

[/wlm_ismember]