Williamston at Lansing Catholic – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – December 14, 2021 – – by Chuck Krafft
Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen’s travels take him to Lansing Catholic where the Cougars will host the Williamston Hornets in both boys’ and girls’ basketball. The first game will be the girls’ game. Catholic Coach Kacee Reid wrote such a beautiful tribute to what her girls do well that I’m almost tempted to just post it here. She had something great to say about everyone on the team!
Sydney Buda is a great leader on and off the floor. She does the unsung things that don’t always result in statistics that good teams need to win (screening and defense for two.) Hannah Pricco is an athletic guard who is a tough rebounder and will frequently defend the other team’s top offensive player. She is quick to the basket on offense and quick to the ball on defense; she frequently leads the team in steals.
Anna Richards is a sophomore floor general with excellent leadership skills. She is long for a guard; this serves her well on defense as well as when she attacks the basket. She has a great basketball IQ and has great range on her three point shot. Leah Richards is a 6′ forward who excels on offense and defense near the basket. She also has a great basketball IQ and has good guard-type skills for someone her size. She gives the Cougars another threat from the three point line.
Gabby Halliwill is an excellent shooter who can hit a threeball either off the catch or off the dribble. She also has great vision when she leads the fast break. Morgan Wilcox brings a lot of athleticism and specifically jumping ability which helps her team a lot in defense and rebounding. She is a good shot blocker, too!
Tessa Roe brings energy and defensive spark off the bench. She is quick with the ball. She also has great court vision and can finish well at the rim. T.R. Repichowski is a great shooter who helps bring scoring off the bench. Leia Reid is a great defender, can hit the open shot and is an unselfish teammate with great court awareness. Sydney Stevens is a small forward with great heart and speed. She is a crafty finisher at the rim. Ella Dunsford is on the injured list, but hopes to be a contributing Cougar soon.
Williamston Coach Pete Cool gave this information when I did Williamston’s game with Portland last week. Kaley Douglass is an excellent three point shooter and a tough defender. Sophie Cook is a spirited, tough defender who is not afraid of contact. She finds ways to attack the basket and score. Isabel Lindo is a tough defender who handles the ball well; she can get to the basket or shoot from the three point line.
Reese Gaytan is a long player who plays a lot near the basket. She is great slashing to the basket and can get out on the break to score as well. Grace Porrell is a strong defender and rebounder in the post. Sammi Schultz is a threat to score from the three point line or slash to the basket. Sophie Casey, Claire Casey, Leisya Newell and Ellie Thorburn also defend well when called upon.
It is now time for me to write up the events of this game through the glazed eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in medieval days. His jumping ability was frequently criticized although few people really soared to the basket in the armor people wore back in that day.
Morgan Wilcox started off the game with a prayer. After they played the National Anthem, it was time to start the game.
Catholic wins the opening tap. The Cougars commit an offensive foul. Williamston misses a driving reverse layup. Catholic misses a driving layup. Hannah Pricco is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for the Cougars. Leah Richards ties the ball up. The Possession Arrow is pleased with her hustle and awards the ball to the Cougars. Isabel Lindo steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give the Hornets the lead. Gabby Halliwill passes to Sydney Buda, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to give her Cougars a 3-2 lead with 6:17 to play in the first quarter.
Williamston misses a threeball from the wing. Isabel Lindo pulls down the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Williamston misses a three pointer from the corner. Catholic is fouled on a reverse hook/layup, but misses two free throws. Williamston misfires on a threeball from the wing. Sydney Buda passes to Anna Richards, who hits a three point shot off the dribble from the wing for Catholic. Sophie Cook is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Catholic lead to 6-3 with 4:52 to play in the quarter.
Catholic misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Williamston misses a layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic gets the ball. Sammi Schultz knocks the ball away from Catholic and Sophie Cook grabs it for Williamston. Sammi Schultz hits a layup for the Hornets. Gabby Halliwill hits a driving layup for Catholic to give her team an 8-5 lead.
Williamston misses a layup. Catholic misses a three pointer from the wing. Hannah Pricco blocks a Williamston shot in the lane. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Morgan Wilcox gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a layup; Morgan Wilcox gets another offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. The Richards Connection comes into play as Anna Richards passes to her sister Leah Richards, who hits a ten foot shot from the side to boost the Cougar lead to 10-5.
Morgan Wilcox steals the ball for Catholic. Catholic misses a fast break layup. Hannah Pricco gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. Catholic misses a layup. Morgan Wilcox hits a putback for the Cougars. Ellie Thorburn hits a fifteen footer from the side for Williamston. Catholic misses a threeball from the corner. Hannah Pricco gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side.
Leah Richards blocks a Williamston layup. The Hornets corral the loose ball, but Gabby Halliwill blocks a ten foot shot from the side at the buzzer.
Catholic has a 12-7 lead at the close of the first quarter.
Williamston inbounds the ball to start out the second quarter. The Hornets miss a seventeen foot shot from the side. Catholic misses a driving reverse layup. Sydney Buda blocks a Hornet layup; the ball goes out of bounds and Williamston gets another opportunity. Sydney Buda knocks the ball out of bounds; Williamston retains possession. Sydney Buda and Morgan Wilcox team up to knock a pass out of bounds to prevent a Hornet layup. Williamston gets another opportunity. Grace Porrell passes to Isabel Lindo, who hits a three point shot from the top of the keys to trim the Catholic lead to 12-10.
Sydney Buda passes to Anna Richards, who hits a three pointer from the wing for Catholic. Williamston loses a pass out of bounds. Catholic misses a threeball from the side. Anna Richards pulls down the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Ella Kleiver steals a pass for the Hornets. Williamston misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic gets the ball. Catholic misses a driving layup. Hannah Pricco hits a reverse layup putback to give the Cougars a 17-10 lead.
Leah Richards knocks the ball away from Williamston and Anna Richards picks it up for Catholic. Sydney Buda hits a putback for Catholic. Williamston misses a threeball from the wing. Catholic misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Williamston misses a driving layup. Catholic reciprocates and misses a driving layup. Leah Richards blocks a Williamston shot. Catholic misses a threeball from the wing. Sophie Cook drives and scoops in a layup for the Hornets. She is fouled on the play and sinks her free throw to trim the Catholic lead to 19-13 with 3:06 left on the first half clock.
Sydney Buda passes to T.R. Repichowski for a Catholic layup. Sydney Buda blocks a Williamston shot. Catholic misses a three point shot from the corner. Williamston misses a layup. Ellie Thorburn steals the ball for the Hornets. Williamston misses a jump shot and gets the offensive rebound. Williamston misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Catholic misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Reese Gayton spins and hits a layup to shave the Catholic lead to 21-15.
Reese Gayton steals the ball for the Hornets. Reese Gayton passes to Sammi Schultz, who hits a three pointer from the side to chop the Catholic lead down to three points. Catholic misses a three pointer from the side. Sophie Cook ties up the rebound; the Possession Arrow coldly ignores her hustle and awards the ball to Catholic. Tessa Roe steals the ball for the Cougars. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side, but Leah Richards hits a putback for the Cougars at the buzzer.
At halftime, Catholic has a 23-18 lead.
Isabel Lindo and Sammi Schultz each have 5 points to lead Williamston at halftime.
Anna Richards has 6 points to lead Catholic.
Williamston inbounds the ball to begin the third quarter. Williamston threw a pass out of bounds. Reese Gaytan steals a Cougar pass. Reese Gayton passes to Sophie Cook, who fakes and then makes a layup for Williamston. Grace Porrell stops a Catholic pass into the lane; the Cougars recover the ball. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Gabby Halliwill steals the ball and passes to Hannah Pricco, who hits a fast break layup to boost the Cougar lead to 25-20.
Williamston throws a pass out of bounds. Catholic misses a layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Cougars get another opportunity. Catholic throws its inbound pass out of bounds. Hannah Pricco gets her foot on the ball and it goes out of bounds; Williamston gets another possession. Isabel Lindo passes to a teammate who is fouled as she shoots a layup, but misses both her free throws. With 5:38 to play in the third quarter, Catholic’s lead remains at 25-20.
Catholic misses a three point attempt from the top of the key. Hannah Pricco snares the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic loses the ball out of bounds. Hannah Pricco steals the ball for Catholic. Catholic loses the ball out of bounds. Williamston misfires on a threeball from the side. Sophie Cook gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Kaley Douglass drives and hits an eight foot runner for Williamston to trim the Catholic lead to 25-22.
Catholic misses a jump shot from the side. Sydney Buda steals the ball for the Cougars. Sammi Schultz nearly steals the ball for Williamston, but the ball goes out of bounds and Catholic gets another opportunity. Catholic misses a reverse layup; Leah Richards hits a putback for the Cougars. Williamston misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Reese Gaytan gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Sydney Buda knocks the ball out of bounds; Williamston gets another opportunity. Leah Richards steals the ball for Catholic. Reese Gayton knocks the ball away from the Cougars and Isabel Lindo grabs the ball for the Hornets. Reese Gayton puts back a missed Hornet layup to cut the Catholic lead to 27-24.
Sophie Cook steals the ball for Williamston. Isabel Lindo uses great footwork to make a post move to free herself to scoop in a layup for the Hornets to bring her team to within one point. Catholic misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Leah Richards gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. Anna Richards from Catholic and Claire Casey from Williamston tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow consults several rule books and then awards the ball to Catholic. Catholic misfires on a threeball from the top of the key. Leah Richards gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Sydney Buda is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to give Catholic a 29-26 lead with 1:23 left in the third quarter.
Williamston misses an eight foot baseline hook shot. Catholic misfires on a triple try from the top of the key. T.R. Repichowski stands tough in the lane and causes Williamston to miss a layup and lose the rebound out of bounds. Catholic misses a layup. Sydney Buda gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a layup. Williamston misses a three point shot from the wing. Catholic misses an eighteen foot heave at the buzzer.
After three quarters, Lansing Catholic holds a 29-26 lead.
Williamston inbounds the ball to get the fourth quarter underway. Claire Casey is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for the Hornets. Ellie Thorburn knocks the ball away from Catholic. Williamston misses a layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Hornets get the ball back. Leah Richards blocks a Hornet layup; the ball goes out of bounds and Catholic gets the ball.
Catholic misses a layup. Williamston misfires on a triple try from the wing. Reese Gaytan gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Williamston misses a layup. Catholic misses a reverse layup. Williamston misses a three pointer from the wing. Sophie Cook fights to tie up the rebound. The Possession Arrow coldly ignores her case and awards the ball to Catholic. Catholic misses a driving layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Williamston takes possession. Williamston misses a threeball from the side. Catholic reciprocates and misses a threeball from the side. The rebound goes out and Catholic gets the ball back. Anna Richards passes to Gabby Halliwill, who throws in a threeball from the wing to give her Cougars a four point lead at 32-28.
Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic takes possession. Sophie Cook steals the ball for Williamston. Isabel Lindo drives the baseline and scoops in a six foot shot to trim the Catholic lead to two points. Gabby Halliwill throws in another threeball from the wing for Catholic. Isabel Lindo drives and dishes the ball to Reese Gaytan, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws. With 4:26 left in the contest, Catholic has a 35-33 lead.
Catholic misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Leah Richards steals the ball for the Cougars. Sophie Cook gets her hand on the ball and a Cougar dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Leah Richards blocks a Williamston layup. Catholic misfires on a threeball from the corner. Kaley Douglass picks up a loose ball for Williamston and hits an eight foot shot in the lane to tie the game. Leah Richards hits a threeball from the corner to give Catholic a 38-35 lead.
Claire Casey steals the ball for Williamston. Williamston misses a layup. Claire Casey knocks the ball, but Catholic is able to recover. Catholic misses a reverse layup. Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. Leah Richards passes to Hannah Pricco, who hits a layup to give Catholic a 40-35 lead.
Williamston loses the ball out of bounds. Grace Porrell steals a Catholic pass. Sydney Buda knocks the ball away from Williamston; Kaley Douglass recovers the ball for the Hornets. Williamston misses a driving layup. With 1:04 remaining in the game, Williamston commits its fifth foul of the half. Catholic will not be forced to shoot free throws until Williamston has seven fouls.
Isabel Lindo steals the ball for the Hornets. Morgan Wilcox steals the ball for Catholic. Sophie Cook steals the ball for Williamston. Morgan Wilcox steals the ball for Catholic. Sydney Buda passes to Morgan Wilcox, who is fouled on a five footer from the side. Morgan Wilcox hits one of her two free throws with 27.8 seconds left on the clock to give her Cougars a 41-35 lead.
Anna Richards rebounds the missed free throw for Catholic. Reese Gaytan knocks a Cougar pass out of bounds; Catholic retains possession. Catholic is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Morgan Wilcox gets the long offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic is fouled and misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity with 9.9 seconds left on the clock.
Morgan Wilcox gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic is fouled, but misses two free throws. Anna Richards blocks a Hornet threeball from the side at the buzzer.
Catholic wins this competitive contest by a 41-35 score.
Isabel Lindo led the Williamston scoring with 9 points. Reese Gaytan supported her teammate with 7 points. Sophie Cook scored 6 points. Sammi Schultz tossed in 5 points and Kaley Douglass had 4 points. Claire Casey and Ellie Thorburn each tallied 2 points.
Leah Richards led the Catholic scoring with 9 points. Gabby Halliwill had two big three point baskets in the fourth quarter on her way to 8 points. Hannah Pricco added 7 points. Sydney Buda and Anna Richards each scored 6 points. Morgan Wilcox scored 3 points and T.R. Repichowski put in 2 points.
Catholic played Williamston in the night’s second game. Here is that play by play!