Hampshire’s Jessica Goebbert didn’t have any statistics that were especially remarkable after the Whip-Purs’ Class A quarterfinal Friday against Riverton.
Two points, one rebound, two assists, two steals may not seem like anything special. But her defense on Riverton’s Devyn Flanagan? That could be put into the most meaningful stat–a 38-37 Hampshire victory at Redbird Arena that enabled the Whip-Purs to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
Flanagan, an Associated Press first-team Class A All-Stater with a 20.7 scoring average, was limited to nine points by Hampshire’s relentless defender.
“That was her only assignment,” said Hampshire coach Sue Ellett, whose Whip-Purs (29-3) are seeking to improve last season’s third-place state finish. “Jess’ job was to go chest-to-chest with her–just stick with her.”
Goebbert, a 5-foot-8-inch senior who Ellett calls her best defender, could sense Flanagan’s frustration.
“She never said anything, but I could tell she was working as hard as I was,” Goebbert said. Hampshire got its two most important points from Amanda Walker with 36 seconds left in the game.
No more than three points separated these teams in the second half, and Riverton (29-5) managed to take a 37-36 lead on Flanagan’s two free throws–her only points of the second half–with 41 seconds left.
Hampshire’s response, Ellett said, was simple: Get the ball into Walker’s hands and let her take it to the basket. She sprinted down the court, challenged Riverton’s 6-foot Abigail Starman and scored for a one-point lead.
“I knew I was going to take it right to her,” said the 5-9 Walker, who had six points and six rebounds. “I just took it up as strong as I could.”
Nicole Watzlawick led a balanced Hampshire attack with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Jackie Heine had eight points and 12 rebounds and Jayme Jeffries eight points.
