Laingsburg at Saranac – – CMAC Boys Co-Game of the Week – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 11, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

Last year was a season that was really difficult. I had to reschedule many games at the last minute because of cancellations necessitated by the Covid pandemic. This year, so far there had not been any rescheduling, but this week, both the games I had planned for tonight and Thursday night have been canceled. Thus, I’m taking a bit of advice from Horace Greeley and going West – – to Saranac. The Redskins will be hosting the Wolfpack from Laingsburg tonight.

Your Bleacher Denizen drove the frozen roads from Lansing to Saranac without running into any polar bears or any other arctic creatures. As cold as the last few days have been, I do not take this lightly. Oh well, at least I was not carried off in the Sweet Chariot that is the center of this song on my “Chuck Krafft” You Tube channel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlxkotTZ9PQ

Saranac enters the game with a 1-4 record. Coach Dean Gage is comfortable using any of the players on this year’s team in a game. Sophomore Sam Sterzick runs the point for Saranac. He is a fine all around player who handles the ball well, defends and can either slash to the basket or hit the three point shot. Isaiah Morgan slashes to the basket well. Parker Edwards plays in the post and is a fine rebounder. Blake Stanton is a good scorer who can slash to the basket. Kai Beard lends a big body to the Redskin rebounding and post defense. He is a fine shooter who can get hot from the three point line.

Adrian Simms is a quick perimeter defender. Evan Johnson also provides solid perimeter defense. Logan Richey is a fine scorer with a lot of length who slashes to the basket well. Levi Spiece and Jadeyn Trahan are good post defenders. Cam Cook has an accurate three point shot. Skylar Thompson is a versatile player who is a strong defender either in the post or on the perimeter.

The Wolfpack from Laingsburg enters this game with a 2-2 record; one of the wins is over perennial CMAC power Pewamo-Westphalia. Zander Woodruff runs the point for the Wolfpack. He is a fine scorer who is adept at either sniping away from the three point line or slashing to the basket. Eli Woodruff is also a versatile player who can score inside or outside. He is a strong, physical player who rebounds well and defends well anywhere on the court.

Miguel Fajardo provides quick, tough perimeter defense to the Wolfpack. Ethan West mans the middle for Laingsburg and is a fine perimeter defender. Noah Hagerty is a smart player who is a versatile defender and can play in the post or on the perimeter. He makes very few mistakes and is a strong team leader as well.

Because of illness, there will not be a JV game tonight. Thus, it is time to look at the events of this game through the aging lenses of a Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in times past. Alas, he never learned that while one always wants to have his passes caught, many coaches frown on it when the passes are caught by opposing players.

Laingsburg wins the opening tap. The Wolfpack throws a pass out of bounds. Noah Hagerty knocks the ball away from Saranac and Eli Woodruff picks it up for Laingsburg. Eli Woodruff drives and hits a layup to give the Wolfpack the first two points of the game. Eli Woodruff steals the ball for Laingsburg and passes to Zander Woodruff, who hits a layup. Laingsburg steals the ball; the Wolfpack misses a three pointer from the corner. Ethan West gets the offensive rebound and passes to Zander Woodruff, who hits a layup to give the Wolfpack a 6-0 lead.

Saranac misses a three point shot from the side. Sam Sterzick steals the ball for the Redskins. Noah Hagerty’s defense causes a Saranac traveling violation. Parker Edwards steals the ball and hits a layup to give Saranac its first two points. Zander Woodruff is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to give the Wolfpack an 8-2 lead with 5:11 to play in the first quarter.

Saranac misses a three point shot from the side; Parker Edwards hits a putback for the Redskins. Laingsburg misses a six foot shot from the side of the lane. Eli Woodruff steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misfires on a triple try from the side. Saranac misses a layup; Blake Stanton hits a putback for Saranac to trim the Laingsburg lead to 8-6.

Laingsburg misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Saranac misses a layup. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the wing. Zander Woodruff pulls down the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack and passes to Eli Woodruff, who makes a layup. Zander Woodruff steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the side. Laingsburg misses a three pointer from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac takes possession.

Brayden Thomas steals the ball for Laingsburg. Evan Johnson steals the ball for Saranac. The Redskins miss a layup. Jacob Essenberg drives in and hits a reverse layup for the Wolfpack. He is fouled on the play and hits a free throw to boost Laingsburg to a 13-6 lead with 2:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Skylar Thompson drives and hits a layup for Saranac. Adrian Simms knocks the ball away from Laingsburg and Logan Richey picks it up for Saranac. Logan Richey throws in a threeball from the wing for Saranac to trim the Laingsburg lead to 13-11.

Laingsburg misses a layup. Saranac reciprocates and misses a layup. Adrian Simms fights and ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow loves Mr. Simms’ hustle and decrees that Saranac shall have the ball. Saranac misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Adrian Simms steals the ball for Saranac. Skylar Thompson passes to Logan Richey, who hits a layup for Saranac to tie the game at 13-13.

Brayden Thomas hits a three point shot from the wing to retake the lead for Laingsburg. Skylar Thompson is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws for Saranac. Ethan West hits a putback for the Wolfpack with 3.8 seconds to play in the quarter. He is fouled on the play and sinks his free throw. Saranac misses a long heave at the buzzer.

After one quarter, Laingsburg has a 19-14 lead.

Laingsburg inbounds the ball to start off the second quarter. Jacob Essenberg hits a layup for the Wolfpack. Saranac is whistled for an offensive foul. Laingsburg misses a layup; Jack Byrnes tips the ball back in for Laingsburg. Zander Woodruff steals the ball for Laingsburg and hits a fast break layup. Sam Sterzick passes the ball to Jadeyn Trahan, who hits two free throws to trim the Laingsburg lead to 25-16 with 6:41 remaining in the first half.

Alexander Brown passes to Zander Woodruff, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Wolfpack. Kai Beard passes to Parker Edwards, who hits a fallaway six foot shot for Saranac. Zander Woodruff hits a layup for the Wolfpack. Saranac misfires on a three pointer from the top of the key. Laingsburg misses a six foot banked runner. Logan Richey passes the ball to Kai Beard, who makes a three point shot from the wing for Saranac to shave the Wolfpack lead to 30-21.

Jacob Essenberg drives and hits a layup for Laingsburg. Saranac misses a driving layup. Logan Richey blocks a Laingsburg layup. Ty Randall draws a charging foul from Saranac. Adrian Simms steals the ball for Saranac. Ty Randall blocks a Saranac layup. Blake Stanton steals the ball for Saranac. Miguel Fajardo steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the side. Blake Stanton loses the ball, then cleverly bats it to himself and scores a layup to shave the Laingsburg lead to 32-23.

Zander Woodruff hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow for Laingsburg. Saranac misses a three point shot from the wing. Miguel Fajardo hits a fast break layup for the Wolfpack. Adrian Simms passes to Skylar Thompson, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Saranac. With 2:59 to go in the first half, the Laingsburg lead is at 36-25.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the side. Zander Woodruff gets the offensive rebound and throws in a threeball from the wing for Laingsburg. Skylar Thompson responds with a three point shot from the wing for Saranac. Laingsburg is whistled for a traveling violation. Saranac misses a three point shot from the side. Eli Woodruff drives in for a Laingsburg layup; he is fouled on the play and makes his free throw. With 1:42 to play in the first half, Laingsburg has a 42-28 lead.

Sam Sterzick drives the length of the court to hit a layup for Saranac. Noah Hagerty drives from the side and hits a layup for Laingsburg. Noah Hagerty steals a Saranac pass. Laingsburg misses a layup. Zander Woodruff steals a Saranac pass. Laingsburg misses a jump shot from the free throw line. The rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac gets the ball. As Saranac tries to score before the half is over, Jacob Essenberg knocks the ball away to waste some time. Sam Sterzick is fouled and hits both ends of a one and one opportunity to trim the Wolfpack lead to 44-32 with 1.9 seconds left in the half.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing at the buzzer.

At halftime, Laingsburg has a 44-32 lead.

Zander Woodruff has 18 points to lead the Wolfpack scoring. Eli Woodruff and Jacob Essenberg each have 7 points.

Skylar Thompson has 8 points and Parker Edwards has 6 points to lead the Saranac scoring.

Saranac has the ball to begin the third quarter. Saranac misses a three pointer from the side. Blake Stanton hits a putback for the Redskins; he is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. Miguel Fajardo drives from the side and hits a layup for Laingsburg. Zander Woodruff knocks the ball away from Saranac and Eli Woodruff picks it up for Laingsburg. Miguel Fajardo hits a layup to boost Laingsburg to a 48-34 lead.

Blake Stanton drives and hits a layup for Saranac. Laingsburg misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Eli Woodruff gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a jump shot. Miguel Fajardo steals the ball and passes to Jacob Essenberg for a Wolfpack layup. Saranac commits an offensive foul. Laingsburg misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Kai Beard drives and banks in a six foot shot to cut the Wolfpack lead to 50-38.

Isaiah Morgan ties up the ball for Saranac; the Possession Arrow lets its mischievous streak take over, ignores Mr. Morgan’s hustle and awards the ball to the Wolfpack. Jacob Essenberg drives and hits a layup for Laingsburg. Saranac misses a three point shot from the side. Laingsburg misses a three pointer from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac takes possession. Cooper Wilson knocks the ball away from a Saranac dribbler, but the Redskins are able to recover. Adrian Simms passes to Blake Stanton, who hits a three point shot from the wing to shave the Laingsburg lead to 52-41.

Jacob Essenberg drives and hits a layup for Laingsburg. Saranac misses a three point shot from the wing. Jacob Essenberg passes to Brayden Thomas, who hits a three point shot from the side for Laingsburg. Saranac misses a layup. Kai Beard steals the ball for Saranac. Skylar Thompson is fouled on a driving six foot shot in the lane. He hits one of his two free throws. With 2:10 to play in the third quarter, Laingsburg has a 57-42 lead.

Laingsburg misses a layup. Ty Randall pulls down the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Levi Spiece steals the ball for Saranac. Saranac misses a jump shot from the side. Zander Woodruff drives and dishes the ball to Ty Randall, who hits a layup for Laingsburg. Ty Randall steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Zander Woodruff hits a fast break layup for Wolfpack and is fouled on the play. His made free throw gives the Wolfpack a 62-42 lead with 1:19 left in the third quarter.

Ty Randall knocks the ball away from Saranac and Brayden Thomas picks it up for Laingsburg. Saranac steals the ball, but Laingsburg quickly steals it back. Apologies from your aging Bleacher Denizen for not being quick enough to note who made the steals. Alexander Brown passes to Ty Randall, who hits a layup for Laingsburg. Saranac misses a threeball from the side. Laingsburg reciprocates and misses a threeball from the side just before the third quarter buzzer sounds.

After three quarters, Laingsburg holds a 64-42 lead.

Saranac inbounds the ball to start off the fourth quarter. Brayden Thomas steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Alexander Brown passes to Ty Randall for a Wolfpack layup. Saranac misses a sixteen foot shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Logan Richey blocks a Wolfpack shot. Jack Byrnes blocks a Saranac shot. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the side. Ty Randall gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a shot. Jack Byrnes steals the ball for Laingsburg. Laingsburg misses a three pointer from the wing.

Jacob Essenberg gets the offensive rebound for Laingsburg. Laingsburg misses a jumper from the side. Jacob Essenberg snags another offensive rebound for Laingsburg. Laingsburg misses a jumper from the side. Alexander Brown steals the ball for Laingsburg. The Wolfpack miss a fast break layup and get the offensive rebound. Logan Richey steals the ball for Saranac. Kai Beard is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws for the Redskins. With 5:13 left on the clock, Laingsburg’s lead is at 66-43.

Laingsburg misses a jump shot. Noah Hagerty hits a putback for the Wolfpack. Saranac misses a shot. Alexander Brown hits a putback for Laingsburg. Saranac misses a three point shot from the wing. Levi Spiece gets the offensive rebound for the Redskins. Saranac misses a layup. Zander Woodruff drives and hits an eight foot shot from the side of the lane for Laingsburg to boost the Wolfpack lead to 72-43.

Kai Beard gets into the lane and hits a six foot shot for Saranac. Luke Snyder uses some great footwork to get open and hit a layup for Laingsburg. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. Saranac misses a ten foot shot from the side. Laingsburg misses a layup. Cooper Wilson gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a layup. Saranac misses a driving layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Laingsburg gets another opportunity. Laingsburg misses a layup; Cooper Wilson hits a putback to give Laingsburg a 76-45 lead.

Saranac misses a ten foot shot from the side. Cooper Wilson hits a layup for Laingsburg. Saranac misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Alexander Brown passes to Jacob Essenberg, who hits a three point shot from the side for Laingsburg. Saranac missed a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Redskins get another possession. Cam Cook saves a bad pass to avoid a Saranac turnover. Eli Woodruff steals the ball for Laingsburg and passes to Luke Snyder for a layup that gives Laingsburg an 83-45 lead.

Eli Woodruff steals the ball for Laingsburg, but steps on the line. Eli Woodruff blocks a Saranac shot, but the Redskins recover. Saranac misses a ten foot shot in the lane. The final buzzer sounds.

Laingsburg wins this CMAC league game 83-45.

Blake Stanton led the Saranac scoring with 11 points. Skylar Thompson supported his teammate with 9 points and Kai Beard added 8 points. Parker Edwards added 6 points and Logan Richey tossed in 5 points. Sam Sterzick scored 4 points and Jadeyn Trahan tallied 2 points.

Zander Woodruff had 23 points for Laingsburg to lead all scorers. Jacob Essenberg joined his teammate in double figures with 16 points. Eli Woodruff contributed 7 points. Brayden Thomas, Miguel Fajardo and Ty Randall each had 6 points. Noah Hagerty, Cooper Wilson and Luke Snyder each scored 4 points. Ethan West put in 3 points. Alexander Brown and Jack Byrnes each tossed in 2 points.