Lansing Christian at Portland St. Patrick – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – November 30, 2021

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen is off to Portland where the St. Patrick Shamrocks will host the Pilgrims from Lansing Christian in a Girls Basketball game. After last night’s (unfortunately) thrill-packed return home from Reading to Lansing on the slushy, extremely slippery roads, I was really pleased to have dry roads all the way to and from Portland tonight!

Both these schools have some Girls Basketball championships under their belt. Portland St. Patrick has won six championships and Lansing Christian two. Portland St. Patrick will be a really strong team this year; they and Fowler should compete for the CMAC Championship, although the CMAC is a tough league and it won’t be a cakewalk.

St. Patrick Coach Al Schrauben, who coached all six championship teams, was generous with his time and game me some background information about his players.

Lydia Meredith is a returning All-State player who is a fine athlete, excellent ball handler, creative passer and a determined defender. She excels slashing to the basket and using her athletic ability to either score or get an easy shot for a teammate. She and Katelyn Russell are seniors who are four year starters. Katelyn Russell has a fine outside shot; this year, she is going to play inside some as well. Senior Mara Schrauben is a fine rebounder, defender and scorer in the post. She has started for three years and was the first player off the bench most games as a freshman. She is also capable of hitting the open three point shot.

Carly Scheurer is a competitive, scrappy defender. Natalee Teachworth is an athletic inside player who frequently overpowers opponents on her way to rebounds, blocked shots and interior points. Ellayna Meredith is a scrappy, energetic guard who never lets anything get in the way of her intense defense.

Lansing Christian Coach Jason Salsbury was helpful with background information about his Pilgrim players as well. Mia Judd is a determined, athletic slasher who can get to the basket against almost everyone. She is a fine shooter in close and in the mid-range game. She is also capable from the three point line. Audra Usiak runs the point and is a spirited perimeter defender. Freshman Lydia Brogan brings an accurate three point shot to the wing. Ellianna Gaines is a strong defender and rebounder in the post.

Avery Wayner can hit the mid-range jump shot. Grace Sullivan slashes from the wing to score. Ashlyn Kephart is a fine perimeter defender.

I was able to get to the gym in time to see the full JV game, so I will briefly recap that.

St. Patrick took a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and controlled the entire game on its way to a 55-5 victory.

Contessa Tompkins and Madeline Crawford each had 2 points for Christian and Sophie Hazelton tallied 1 point.

Hannah Weller and Tori Sandborn each had 12 points for the victorious Shamrocks. Mattie Honsowitz joined her teammates in double figures with 10 points. Sophia Schrauben added 8 points. Isabella Russman put in 5 points. Megan Myers and lily Sandborn each had 4 points.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the occasionally clear lenses of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play hoops. He was never able to completely understand that making bricks is important when getting ready to build something, but that basketball coaches generally frown upon players who throw bricks at the basket. Who knew???

St. Patrick wins the opening tap, but misses a layup. Mara Schrauben pulls down the offensive rebound. St. Patrick misses a layup. Audra Usiak hits a three pointer from the wing to give the first three points of the game to Christian. Lydia Meredith drives in to hit a layup for St. Patrick. Katelyn Russell blocks a Christian layup; the ball goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get another opportunity. Katelyn Russell harasses Lansing Christian into a three second violation. On the other end, Katelyn Russell dribbles, stops and pops in a jumper from the free throw line to give her Shamrocks a 4-3 lead.

Christian misses a fifteen footer from the baseline. Audra Usiak knocks the ball out of bounds; the Shamrocks retain possession. Lydia Meredith drives in for a Shamrock layup. Christian misfires on a triple try from the baseline. St. Patrick throws a ball out of bounds. (Actually, it was one of the players, not the Saint, himself.) Lydia Meredith steals the ball and hits a six foot turnaround jumper to give St. Patrick an 8-3 lead.

Mia Judd drives in for a Pilgrim layup. Lydia Meredith hits a putback for the Shamrocks. Christian misses a three point attempt from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get another opportunity. Christian misses a layup. Lydia Brogan hits the floor to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow is impressed with her hustle and awards the ball to the Pilgrims. Lydia Meredith knocks the ball out of bounds; Christian retains possession. Christian misses a threeball from the side. St. Patrick fouls on the rebound. Christian misses a ten foot shot from the side. Grace Sullivan gets the offensive rebound for Christian. Katelyn Russell blocks a Pilgrim shot. Natalee Teachworth hits a layup to boost the Shamrock lead to 12-5.

Natalee Teachworth harasses the Pilgrims into a travelling violation. The Shamrocks miss a three point shot from the top of the key. Audra Usiak passes to Grace Sullivan, who throws in a threeball from the corner for the Pilgrims. St. Patrick loses the ball out of bounds. Lydia Brogan is fouled on a driving layup. She hits one of her two free throws to trim the Shamrock lead to 12-9 with 2:39 to play in the first quarter.

Mia Judd steals the ball for Christian. The Pilgrims commit a travelling violation. Ellayna Meredith dishes to a Shamrock teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both her free throws. Lydia Brogan is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to bring Christian within two points at 12-10 with 1:55 remaining in the first quarter.

Christian misses a threeball from the side. Grace Sullivan gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Mara Schrauben blocks a Pilgrim shot; the ball goes out of bounds and Christian gets another opportunity. Ellayna Meredith steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Lydia Meredith hits a putback for St. Patrick. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 1;26 to play in the first quarter, St. Patrick has a 14-10 lead.

Christian misses a three point shot from the wing. Lydia Meredith drives and hits a an eight foot runner from the side of the lane. Mara Schrauben blocks a Christian shot; St. Patrick fouls on the loose ball. Mara Schrauben blocks a Christian shot, but the Pilgrims are able to recover the ball. Christian misses a layup. Mara Schrauben hits a layup to push the St. Patrick lead to 18-10.

St. Patrick’s press forces a Christian turnover. Lydia Meredith drives in for a Shamrock layup. Christian is fouled on a shot at the buzzer, but misses both its free throws.

After one quarter, St. Patrick has a 20-10 lead.

Christian inbounds the ball to start the second quarter. Carly Scheurer dives and ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow is enamored of her aggressive defense and awards the ball to the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a layup. Lydia Meredith steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a fast break layup. Carly Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Avery Wayner steals the ball for Christian. Mara Schrauben continues this crime wave by stealing the ball for the Shamrocks. Katelyn Russell throws in a threeball from the side to boost the St. Patrick lead to 23-10.

Mara Schrauben steals the ball for St. Patrick. Lydia Meredith hits a spinning, driving layup for the Shamrocks. Christian misses a layup. Natalee Teachworth hits a fast break layup for the Shamrocks. Christian loses the ball out of bounds. Katelyn Russell inbounds the ball to Lydia Meredith, who hits a layup that gives the Shamrocks a 29-10 lead.

Christian misses a layup. Mia Judd steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Mia Judd is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws. Lydia Meredith goes coast to coast to hit a layup for the Shamrocks. Ashlyn Kaphart passes to Mia Judd, who drains a jumper from the free throw line for Christian. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. Carly Scheurer hits a putback for St. Patrick to give the Shamrocks a 33-13 lead.

Christian misses a three point shot from the side. St. Patrick misfires on a threeball from the top of the key. Natalie Teachworth hauls down the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a layup. Christian misses a three pointer from the side. Avery Wayner steals the ball for Christian. Lydia Meredith steals the ball and goes coast to coast for a Shamrock layup. Christian turns the ball over. St. Patrick misses a seventeen footer from the wing. Christian is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Avery Wayner is fouled on the rebound and hits one of her two free throws. With 2:43 remaining in the half, St. Patrick’s lead is at 33-14.

Lydia Meredith drives the lane and dishes the ball to Mara Schrauben for a Shamrock layup. Christian misses a twelve footer from the side. Mia Judd steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a sixteen foot shot from the baseline. St. Patrick misfires on a triple try from the wing. Lydia Brogan is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Christian. St. Patrick misses a six foot banked shot from the side. The rebound is tied up and the Possession Arrow decides to give the ball to the Pilgrims. Audra Usiak is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to shave the Shamrock lead to 37-16 with 1:26 remaining in the half.

Jamelyn Forist passes to Addison Scheurer, who hits a three point shot for the Shamrocks. Christian misses a three point shot from the wing. St. Patrick is fouled on a layup, but misses both his free throws. Mia Judd throws a touchdown pass over the Shamrock press to receiver Audra Usiak, who hits a touchdown layup to cut the St. Patrick lead to 40-18.

St. Patrick misses a six foot shot in the lane. Mia Judd hits a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane for Christian. Mia Judd steals the ball, goes coast to coast using a great dribble move to free herself, hits a layup, is fouled and hits a free throw to trim the Shamrock lead to 40-23 with 4.2 seconds left on the first half clock.

Lydia Meredith is fouled on an eight foot shot at the buzzer and hits one of her two free throws to give St. Patrick a 41-23 lead going to the locker room at halftime.

Mia Judd has 10 points and Audra Usiak has 6 points to lead the Pilgrims at halftime.

Lydia Meredith has 23 points and Katelyn Russell has 5 points for the Shamrocks.

St. Patrick has the ball to begin the third quarter. The Shamrocks miss a three point shot from the wing. Lydia Brogan is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Christian. St. Patrick misses a banked hook shot. Mara Schrauben ties up the ball for St. Patrick. Because the Possession Arrow is watching videos on You Tube, it misses the play and awards the ball to Christian. Mara Schrauben steals a Christian pass. Lydia Brogan knocks the ball away from the Shamrocks and Mia Judd picks up the ball for the Pilgrims. Mia Judd drives and hits an eight foot shot in the lane to trim the St. Patrick lead to 41-27.

St. Patrick misses a layup. Lydia Brogan launches a long pass to Mia Judd, who sinks a threeball from the side that cuts the St. Patrick lead to 41-30.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. The ball goes out of bounds and St. Patrick gets the ball back. Audra Usiak steals the Shamrock inbound pass. Ellayna Meredith steals the ball for St. Patrick. St. Patrick misses a fast break layup. Mara Schrauben steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Lydia Meredith passes to Ellayna Meredith for a fast break layup that stops a seven point Pilgrim scoring runs and boosts St. Patrick to a 43-30 lead.

Christian misses a ten foot shot from the baseline. Mia Judd gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a ten footer in the lane, but gets the offensive rebound. Christian misses a shot. St. Patrick misses an eighteen footer from the top of the key. Christian misses a three point shot near the top of the key. Ellayna Meredith hits a fast break layup for the Shamrocks. Mara Schrauben taps the ball away from Christian and Katelyn Russell grabs it for St. Patrick. Lydia Meredith hits a fast break layup to lift the Shamrock lead to 47-30.

Ellayna Meredith steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Audra Usiak steals the ball for Christian. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Addison Scheurer hits a three point shot for St. Patrick. Lydia Meredith steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Ashlyn Kephart goes to the floor to steal the ball for Christian. Christian throws a pass out of bounds. St. Patrick misses a ten foot shot from the side. Christian misses a sixteen foot shot from the side. Lydia Meredith drives in and hits a layup that gives the Shamrocks a 52-30 lead.

Christian misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Ashlyn Kephart knocks the ball out of bounds; St. Patrick retains possession. St. Patrick misses a fourteen foot shot from the side of the lane. Christian is whistled for a travelling violation. St. Patrick misses a layup. Christian misses an eight foot shot in the lane at the third quarter buzzer.

With three quarters in the books, St. Patrick has a 52-30 lead.

Christian inbounds the ball to get the fourth quarter started. Natalee Teachworth steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misfires on a triple try from the side. Christian misses an eighteen footer from the baseline. St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the side. Christian misses a three point shot from the corner. Ellayna Meredith passes to Rylee Scheurer for a Shamrock layup. Mia Judd drives and hits a six foot banked shot for Christian. The St. Patrick lead is at 54-30.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. Christian reciprocates and misses a three point shot from the wing. Audra Usiak gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a twelve foot shot from the side. The Shamrocks foul on the rebound. Ellayna Meredith nearly steals the ball for the Shamrocks, but the Pilgrims are able to retain possession. Mia Judd hits a ten foot shot from the side for Christian. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. St. Patrick is fouled on a putback, but misses both free throws. With 5:28 left on the game clock, the St. Patrick lead is at 54-34.

St. Patrick fouls on the rebound. Katelyn Russell hits the floor to cause a tie up. The Possession Arrow was impressed with her hustle and awards the ball to the Shamrocks. St. Patrick bounces a pass into the lane to no one; it goes out of bounds. Christian is whistled for a travelling violation. Ellayna Meredith passes to Lydia Meredith, who banks in a three point shot to boost the Shamrock lead to 57-34. As it was on the other side of the court, I am not sure if she called “bank”, but I suppose the three points count anyway.

Christian misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Mia Judd pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a ten footer in the lane. The Pilgrims get the offensive rebound. Ashlyn Kephart passes to Mia Judd who hits a two point basket for Christian. Lydia Meredith responds with a swished three pointer to give the Shamrocks a 60-36 lead.

Katelyn Russell blocks a Christian layup. Katelyn Russell is fouled on a ten footer on the side of the lane. She hits one of her two free throws. Christian misses a three point shot from the wing. Katelyn Russell passes to Natalee Teachworth, who spins and hits a layup for the Shamrocks and St. Patrick has a 63-36 lead.

Katelyn Russell blocks a Pilgrim layup. St. Patrick is called for travelling. Carly Scheurer forces Christian into an over and back violation. St. Patrick misses a threeball from the side. Jamelyn Forist and Carly Scheurer team up to knock the ball out of bounds; Christian retains possession. Grace Sullivan drives and hits a layup for Christian; she is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 1:16 to go, the Shamrock lead is at 63-38.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. Carly Scheurer passes to Addison Scheurer, who hits a three point shot from the corner for St. Patrick. Christian turns the ball over. St. Patrick misses a layup; Natalee Teachworth hits a putback for the Shamrocks. Christian misses a fifteen footer from the side at the buzzer.

St. Patrick wins the season opener for both teams by a 67-38 score.

Mia Judd led the Lansing Christian scoring with 21 points. Audra Usiak supported her with 6 points. Lydia Brogan and Grace Sullivan each added 5 points. Avery Wayner tallied 1 point.

Lydia Meredith had 33 points to lead Portland St. Patrick. Natalee Teachworth added 8 points. Addison Scheurer and Katelyn Russell each tossed in 6 points. Carly Scheurer, Ellayna Meredith and Mara Schrauben all had 4 points. Rylee Scheurer scored 2 points.