GHV girls fall to North Union in frustrating game

By Michelle Watson

It was a frustrating night for the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura girls when they hosted North Union (10-4, 11-6) on Friday, Feb. 1, in the last home game of the season.  The Cardinals struggled making their shots and had the lowest shooting percentage of the season in the 44-37 loss.

“We just missed too many inside shots,” said Coach Matt Frank.  “The defense did well and gave us a chance to win by holding them to 44-points.”

The Cardinals started strong, thanks to some hot three-point shooting by Morgan Ryerson, who connected on two treys to move up, 10-8.

Tides turned in the second quarter.  A seven point unanswered run moved North Union ahead, 17-14.  North Union held a two-point advantage going into the half, 20-18.

The third quarter was a close one.  North Union pulled ahead 26-20 before the Cards started to drop some three’s, courtesy of Nicole Upmeyer and Chloe Frank, 28-26.  The third quarter ended with GHV trailing by four, 30-26.

Frank hit another three to start the fourth quarter, before North Union slowly started to inch ahead.  Halfway through the fourth quarter the Cards got behind by 10-points, 39-29.  GHV battled back and only dropped the game by five-points, 42-37.

“We gave ourselves a chance to win with a flurry late in the fourth, but it was not enough,” said Frank.

Chloe Frank led the team with 11-points.  Upmeyer and Jayden Frank weren’t far behind with nine and eight points respectively.  Rounding out the scoring was Ryerson with six and Jade Hanson with three.

Ryerson led the team in rebounds with seven.  Jade Hanson and Mara Anderson each had five boards, while Upmeyer and Jayden Frank had four apiece.

Jayden Frank led the team in steals and assists.  She had four steals and three assists.  Jade Hanson led the team in blocked shots with three.  Upmeyer had three steals, one assist and one blocked shot.

“Nicole had her best game of the season and provided good defense,” said Frank.

The Cardinal record stands at 9-7, 9-11.  The team will face Forest City in the opening round of the Class 3A-Region 3 tournament on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in Forest City.