Fowler at Portland St. Patrick – – CMAC Girls Basketball Game of the Week – – The Bleacher Denizen – – December 17, 2021 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen will have the pleasure of watching two of the top Girls Basketball teams in Division 4. The Shamrocks from Portland St. Patrick will host the Eagles from Fowler. This game marks the second night of a Portland St. Patrick/Fowler back to back experience as I was at St. Patrick last night when the Shamrocks and Eagles were not able to decide the winner of their game until just a half second was left!!

https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2021/12/17/fowler-at-portland-st-patrick-cmac-boys-game-of-the-week-the-bleacher-denizen-december-16-2021-by-chuck-krafft/

And, as for most teams, this is the last game before Christmas, so I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas with a couple songs from my You Tube channel. Neither is original, but hopefully they are fun.

Here is a classic secular Christmas song in English!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15alGV17hKI

And here’s one in German!! (And your Bleacher Denizen just learned the hard way that the new blog software doesn’t like or understand German, or I would have introduced this song auf Deutsch! (in German))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGlHhrvmuE

Now that we are (hopefully) in the Christmas spirit, it’s time to get to what most of you are actually looking for!

Both of these teams have a perfect 5-0 record going into the game. Most of the players from Fowler’s State Championship team from last year are back.

Here’s a link to the State Championship game for those who may not have seen it.

https://thebleacherdenizen.blogspot.com/2021/04/fowler-vs-bellaire-mhsaa-state-division.html

Of course, St. Patrick has most of its players back from the only team that gave Fowler even a bit of trouble during their run to the championship.

Here is a link to that exciting game for those who may not have seen it.

https://thebleacherdenizen.blogspot.com/2021/03/portland-st-patrick-vs-fowler-district.html

Senior Mia Riley and her sister, Junior Emma Riley are returning All-State players for Fowler. They are tremendous perimeter players who can both shoot the three, get open for and shoot midrange jumpers, handle the ball with care and pass like an NFL quarterback. On defense, they are both really quick and competitive. Both rebound well; Mia is exceptional with her rebounding and can pull them away from people a half foot taller than her.

Avery Koenigsknecht and Carly Andros are stellar perimeter defenders who can hit the three point shot. Grace Epkey is a tough defender and rebounder near the basket. She gets a lot of putbacks and can hit the open three point shot as well. Madison Wirth has an excellent three point shot, also defends competitively on the perimeter and provides senior leadership.

Lydia Meredith is a returning starter and All-State player for the Shamrocks. She is tall for a guard and extremely athletic. She is an amazing defender who has the quickness and size to make handling the ball an adventure for nearly any opposing guard. She is great driving to the basket and she has all the standard point guard ball handling and passing skills as well. Mara Schrauben provides toughness as well as defense and rebounding in the post. On offense, she has a lot of disciplined post moves and gets a lot of putbacks. She is a threat from the three point line when she’s open as well.

Katelyn Russell defends well on the perimeter and is playing more in the post this year. She has a fine three point shot and is a threat from midrange as well. Natalee Teachworth is athletic, athletic, athletic. Did we say she was athletic? She is a quick and strong jumper. She is an absolute pest in the middle with her ability to block shots and rebound. She is also really good at overpowering opponents inside for layups. Ellayna Meredith is an energetic perimeter defender. She probably has more stored energy than an Energizer battery and she frequently creates havoc with opposing offenses. Rylee Scheurer comes off the bench to provide defensive depth and Addison Scheurer has an accurate three point shot.

I arrived at the gym in time to see the JV game. The game was close early as Fowler got out to a 12-11 halftime lead. St. Patrick tied the game at 19-19 at the end of three quarters. St. Patrick went on a 16-7 run in the fourth quarter and won the game 35-26.

Kelcie Pung led the Fowler JVs with 10 points. Elizabeth Hufnagel supported her teammate with 6 points and Megan Hufnagel added 5 points. Grace O’Hare and Rebecca Smith each had 2 points. Katherine Spicer tallied 1 point.

Mattie Honsowitz, an eighth grader, led the victorious Shamrocks with 12 points. Sophia Schrauben contributed 7 points. Tori Sandborn scored 6 points. Lily Sandborn tossed in 5 points. Megan Myers and Hannah Weller each added 2 points and Isabella Russman had 1 point.

I’d like to note that referee Tom Pier signed my notepad, so these ARE the official game notes. Thanks to Mr. Pier for bringing my blog and my notes a level of official gravitas that I’ve never had before.

It is time to report the events of this varsity contest through the recently cleaned lens of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in ancient times. While his ability to move quickly and gracefully was frequently criticized, in fairness we should point out that many players had some difficulty with their agility in the basketball togas we wore on the court.

First of all, I’d like to note that referee Tom Pier signed my notepad, so these ARE the official game notes. Thanks to Mr. Pier for bringing my blog and my notes a level of official gravitas that I’ve never had before.

St. Patrick wins the opening tap. Mara Schrauben passes to Lydia Meredith, who hits a layup to score the game’s first two points. Fowler misfires on a threeball from the wing. Grace Epkey gets the long offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler is assessed with a traveling violation. St. Patrick (a player, not the Saint himself, just to be perfectly clear) misses a three point shot from the corner. Lydia Meredith blocks a Fowler layup. Mia Riley steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for the Eagles. She misses her free throw. About a minute and a half into the game, the score is tied at 2-2.

St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the corner. Mara Schrauben pulls down the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a layup; Mara Schrauben hits a putback to give the Shamrocks the lead. Mara Schrauben ties up the ball; the Possession Arrow has had its mind on its popcorn, coldly ignores her aggressive defense and awards the ball back to Fowler. Fowler misses a three pointer from the side. Ellayna Meredith passes the ball to Katelyn Russell, who throws in a threeball from the side to give St. Patrick a 7-2 lead.

Fowler misses a shot. Carly Andros gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a shot. Emma Riley steals the ball for the Eagles and passes to Carly Andros, who hits a reverse layup. Katelyn Russell throws in another threeball from the side for the Shamrocks to extend their lead to 10-4.

Katelyn Russell knocks a pass out of bounds; Fowler retains possession. Fowler misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Addison Scheurer passes to Katelyn Russell, who throws in her third threeball of the first quarter for St. Patrick. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the side. Fowler misses a sixteen foot shot from the wing. Grace Epkey gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Emma Riley knocks a St. Patrick pass out of bounds; the Shamrocks get the ball back. Lydia Meredith drives and banks in an eight foot runner to give St. Patrick a 15-4 lead.

Mia Riley hits a three point shot from the wing to stop the Shamrock eight point scoring run. Grace Epkey steals the ball for Fowler. Lydia Meredith steals the ball and passes to Katelyn Russell for a Shamrock layup. Mia Riley responds with a fifteen foot basket from the side for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Shamrocks get another opportunity.

Katelyn Russell inbounds the ball to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Natalee Teachworth puts back the missed free throw for the Shamrocks. Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing at the buzzer.

After one quarter, St. Patrick has a 19-9 lead.

Fowler inbounds the ball to commence the second quarter. Carly Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Avery Koenigsknecht steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler throws a pass out of bounds. Grace Epkey steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Madison Wirth steals the ball for the Eagles. Emma Riley is fouled on a six footer off the dribble in the lane. Emma Riley hits one of her two free throws to trim the St. Patrick lead to 19-10 with 6:57 to play in the second quarter.

St. Patrick misses a layup. Lydia Meredith is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for the Shamrocks. Fowler misses a driving layup. Carly Andros draws a charging foul from St. Patrick. Ellayna Meredith steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Avery Koenigsknecht dives and ties up the ball. Again, the Possession Arrow is either not paying attention or is indifferent to the effort of the defensive player; the ball is awarded to St. Patrick.

Grace Epkey blocks a Shamrock shot. Fowler is whistled for carrying the ball. St. Patrick misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Fowler misses a driving layup. Grace Epkey gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Grace Epkey gets the offensive rebound and banks in a six foot hook shot to shave the Shamrock lead to 20-12.

Addison Scheurer alertly saves an errant pass from becoming a Shamrock turnover. Lydia Meredith drives and hits a layup for St. Patrick. Fowler misses a jump shot. St. Patrick misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Addison Scheurer dives and ties up the ball; the Possession Arrow doesn’t even look up from its Hallmark Christmas movie and awards the ball back to Fowler. Mara Schrauben steals an Eagle pass. Katelyn Russell hits a three point shot from the side to lift the Shamrock lead to 25-12.

Fowler throws a pass out of bounds. Ellayna Meredith passes to Addison Scheurer, who hits a three point shot from the corner for St. Patrick. Fowler misses a fifteen foot shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Lydia Meredith passes to Katelyn Russell, who makes two free throws to boost St. Patrick’s lead to 30-12.

Fowler misses a three point shot near the top of the key. Madison Wirth knocks the ball away from St. Patrick and Mia Riley picks it up for Fowler. Mia Riley passes to Madison Wirth, who hits a three point shot from the side for the Eagles. Mia Riley knocks the ball away from the Shamrocks and Emma Riley picks it up for the Eagles. Emma Riley passes to Madison Wirth, who has her foot on the three point line and hits a two point jumper to trim the Shamrock lead to 30-17.

Emma Riley steals St. Patrick’s inbound pass. Fowler misses a half court toss at the buzzer.

St. Patrick takes a 30-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. If basketball customs are carried out as normal, they will still have that lead when the third quarter starts.

Your Bleacher Denizen is proud to report that with an assist from the referees, basketball customs are indeed being carried out and St. Patrick still has a 30-17 lead when the third quarter starts. St. Patrick inbounds the ball and the clock gets rolling.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Mara Schrauben hits a putback for the Shamrocks. Fowler misses a threeball from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get the ball back. Fowler misses a reverse hook/layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Fowler miscommunicates; a pass goes behind a cutters head and out of bounds. St. Patrick misses a threeball from the wing. Mara Schrauben steals the ball for St. Patrick.

The Shamrocks miss a scooping layup. Fowler misses a ten foot shot in the lane. St. Patrick misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Mara Schrauben confronts a Fowler rebounder and forces a traveling violation. Grace Epkey blocks a Shamrock shot. Lydia Meredith steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Lydia Meredith passes to Carly Scheurer to give the Shamrocks a 34-17 lead.

Ellayna Meredith draws a charging foul from the Eagles. Lydia Meredith makes a great dribble move and gets to the basket for a Shamrock layup. Mia Riley responds by tossing in a jumper from the free throw elbow for Fowler. Lydia Meredith passes to Mara Schrauben, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to push the St. Patrick lead to 37-19 with 1:05 left on the third quarter clock.

Lydia Meredith gets the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. Rylee Scheurer makes a nice save to prevent a bad pass from becoming a Shamrock turnover. Lydia Meredith hits a twelve foot shot from the side for St. Patrick. Mia Riley hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for Fowler. Emma Riley steals the ball for Fowler. Natalee Teachworth steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Mia Riley steals the ball for Fowler and hits an up and under layup to trim the Shamrock lead to 39-23.

Grace Epkey blocks a Shamrock shot. Fowler throws a pass into the lane and out of bounds. Madison Wirth steals the ball for the Eagles. Lydia Meredith steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misfires on a threeball from the wing and fouls on the rebound. Mia Riley drives and scoops in a layup for Fowler; she is fouled on the play and makes her free throw to whittle the Shamrock lead down to 39-26 with 1:19 to play in the quarter.

St. Patrick loses the ball out of bounds. Mia Riley bounces the ball to Madison Wirth for a Fowler layup. Lydia Meredith drive and is fouled on a shot with a half second left in the third quarter. Lydia Meredith hits one of her two free throws.

St. Patrick has a 40-28 lead entering the third quarter.

Fowler throws the ball in to commence the fourth quarter. The Riley Connection comes through as Emma Riley passes to Mia Riley who throws in a three point shot from the wing for Fowler. Mara Schrauben makes a strong drive through some tough Fowler defense and makes a layup. She takes a hard foul on the play and hits her free throw to give her Shamrocks a 43-31 lead with 7:17 remaining in the game.

Fowler misses a threeball from the top of the key. Carly Andros ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow finally is still oblivious, ignores the fine effort and gives the ball to St. Patrick. St. Patrick commits a traveling violation. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. Mia Riley snares the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Mia Riley is fouled on a driving, scooping layup and hits one of her two free throws to trim the St. Patrick lead to 43-32 with 6:20 to play in the game.

I’m not sure whether Lydia Meredith missed a driving layup; it looked more like she passed the ball off the backboard to herself. St. Patrick is fouled on a putback, but misses two free throws. Natalie Teachworth pulls down the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. The Shamrocks commit an offensive foul. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Grace Epkey gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Carly Andros’ fierce defense causes St. Patrick to lose the ball out of bounds. Mia Riley sinks a long three pointer from the wing to cut the Shamrock lead to 43-35.

St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Fowler misses a fourteen footer from the baseline. St. Patrick commits an over and back violation. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. St. Patrick is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Lydia Meredith gets the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. Mia Riley knocks the ball out of bounds; the Shamrocks retain possession. Lydia Meredith passes to Katelyn Russell, who hits a three point shot from the sideline to boost the Shamrock lead to 46-35.

Mia Riley hits a reverse layup for Fowler. Lydia Meredith passes to Mara Schrauben, who hits a layup for St. Patrick. Fowler misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Ellayna Meredith is fouled and hits two free throws for the Shamrocks. Madison Wirth passes to Carly Andros, who banks in a three point shot from the top of the key for Fowler. (She called “Bank”; it was just hard to hear with the crowd so engaged with what happened!) Ellayna Meredith is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for the Shamrocks. With 2:24 left on the clock, St. Patrick has a 51-40 lead.

Fowler misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. Mia Riley pulls down the offensive rebound for Fowler. Mia Riley passes to Emma Riley, who drains a three point shot from the wing for the Eagles. St. Patrick misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Carly Andros drives and hits a layup to chop the Shamrock lead to 51-45.

St. Patrick is fouled and misses two free throws with 1:07 to play. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Mara Schrauben is fouled on the rebound and makes one of her two free throws for the Shamrocks. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. St. Patrick is fouled, but misses two free throws. Mia Riley drives and hits a layup for Fowler. Fowler calls time out with just 29.8 seconds to go; St. Patrick has a 52-47 lead.

St. Patrick is fouled and misses two more free throws. Fowler misses a sixteen foot shot; Grace Epkey snags the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Emma Riley is fouled and makes one of her two free throws for Fowler. Rylee Scheurer taps the rebound to Katelyn Russell to secure the ball for the Shamrocks. Mara Schrauben is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to give St. Patrick a 53-48 lead with 11.6 seconds to go.

Avery Koenigsknecht is fouled with 6.9 seconds left and hits one of her two free throws. The rebound is tied up and the ball is awarded to Fowler. Fowler misses a three pointer from the corner as time expires.

St. Patrick wins this game 53-49 and moves into sole possession of first place in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference.

Fowler’s Mia Riley led all scorers with 27 points. Carly Andros and Madison Wirth each supported her with 7 points. Emma Riley scored 5 points. Grace Epkey added 2 points and Avery Koenigsknecht tallied 1 point.

Katelyn Russell led St. Patrick with 19 points; she had five three pointers. Her sixteen points including four three pointers in the first half helped get the Shamrocks their big lead. Fellow Seniors Lydia Meredith and Mara Schrauben joined their teammate in double figures with 12 points each. Addison Scheurer and Ellayna Meredith had 3 points each. Carly Scheurer and Natalee Teachworth each added 2 points.