Luverne no match for Goshen
Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 27, 2002
Sports Writer
The Luverne Tigers and Goshen Eagles squared off Friday night in Luverne, with GHS takings its second straight this season over its rival, 70-39.
The game had a little heat added to an already intense rivalry. Last year Tiger and this year Eagle, Ge-Vonne Cooper, was one of Luverne’s leading scorers last season. Cooper returned to his old gym and finished with 14 points, going four-of-eight from behind the arc.
The Eagles unleashed their sharpshooters in the first half and they were right on mark. The first quarter belonged to Averick Rogers, who would hit four three pointers for 12 points. In the second quarter Rogers handed over the reigns to Cooper, who accounted for all 14 of his points in the quarter. The Tigers were led by Gavilan Walters’ 11 first half points.
Kendaris Pelton had 10 also for Goshen which improved to 13-4. Rogers led the team with 17 points on the night.
Walters had 21 to lead all scorers with Justin Moody dropping in nine points.
The Lady Eagles came into Friday night’s game with the Lady Tigers winners of four of their last five. They upped their record to 6-11 with a 44-30 win over Luverne.
"We have a young team but are now playing very good basketball", said head coach James Pair. "We wanted to come into Luverne and keep our streak alive."
The first quarter was a back and forth battle that ended in a 10-7 Goshen lead. Ashley Miniard pounded the Lady Tigers down low and scored half of the Lady Eagles’ points with five.
In the second quarter it was time for Hope Wheeler to step up. She scored six of Goshen’s nine points in the quarter. Luverne’s Kerri Griffin would match her effort as she also scored six points. The lead would stay the same in the second with Goshen up by three, 19-16.
The second half would be all Goshen. The Eagles would pull out to an early lead and start subbing in their younger players. The third quarter would end with Goshen leading 29-21.
Wheeler finished with 18 points to lead Goshen. Miniard had eight points, 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Lakeshia Cope added 10 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots.
Luverne was lead by Chavona Harris with six points.
Goshen plays host to Red Level on Tuesday night.
Red Level has already clinched the Class 2A Area 2 title, which means Goshen’s boys team will have to navigate through the Tigers’ homecourt if they hope to make it to the sub-regional tournament.