Portland at Lansing Catholic – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 14, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

Your Bleacher Denizen is at Lansing Catholic High to cover a girls game and a boys game. Here is the game blog from the exciting girls’ game that was not decided until the final seconds.

https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2022/01/15/portland-at-lansing-catholic-girls-basketball-the-bleacher-denizen-january-14-2022-by-chuck-krafft/

Of course, your Bleacher Denizen is bouncing around between basketball and the music studio this winter. Here is an ancient song that your Bleacher Denizen did in the studio and put on the “Chuck Krafft” You Tube Channel. I suppose it belies any claim I might have to being cool and hip, but I will hope you enjoy it anyway!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUieaBvS38w

The Lansing Catholic Cougar boys enter the game with a 5-3 record. They are led by Alex Watters, an amazing athlete who also starred for the Lansing Catholic State Champion football team. He is extremely athletic; he is excellent on defending anywhere on the court. He is a strong ball handler who excels at slashing to the basket. Brody Kirkpatrick and Luc Guerrazzi are tough defenders and rebounders in the post. Joey Baker is a dogged perimeter defender. Dean Jacobs is a threat from the three point line.

The Portland Raiders enter this game with a 2-5 record. They are a young team that starts two freshmen; the first player off the bench is also a freshman. Senior Trent Meyers helps provide leadership; he shoots the three point shot well and is a tough perimeter defender. Marc Nobis, who runs the point for the Raiders is a fine ball handler and a persistent perimeter defender. Freshman Dom Novara is not intimidated by the varsity game. He has a fine offensive repertoire that includes an accurate three point shot and the ability to get his own shot off the dribble. Freshman Christopher Battley plays in the post. Freshman Evan Gross provides depth at the guard position and can hit the three point shot.

It is now time to look at the events of this game through the occasionally clear eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he played basketball in the ancient times when he was young. While people criticized his ball handling, he’ll respond by letting you know that the large coconuts we used for basketballs in days past often provided unpredictable bounces.

Catholic wins the opening tap. Catholic misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane. Dom Novara hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw elbow to give the Raiders the first two points of the game. Catholic misses a threeball from the side. Portland misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Dean Jacobs is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws to shave the Portland lead to 2-1 with 7:00 to go in the first quarter.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Christopher Battley blocks a Catholic layup. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Alex Watters takes the ball coast to coast for a Catholic layup to give the lead to the Cougars. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Catholic misses a threeball from the corner. Portland is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses two free throws. Alex Watters hits a layup to give Catholic a 5-2 lead.

Brody Kirkpatrick steals the ball for the Cougars. Catholic misses a fast break layup. Brody Kirkpatrick hits a putback for Catholic. Dom Novara hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line for the Raiders. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Rory Durr gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Alex Watters drives and hits a layup for Catholic to boost the Cougar lead to 9-4.

Brody Kirkpatrick steals the ball for Catholic. Catholic misses a ten footer in the lane; the rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic gets another opportunity. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Dean Jacobs steals the ball for the Cougars. Catholic misses a ten foot shot from the side. Portland throws a pass out of bounds. Catholic misfires on a triple try from the wing. Rory Durr’s tough defense leads to a Raider travelling violation. Alex Watters drives and dishes the ball to Dan Jacobs, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give Catholic a 12-4 lead.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Alex Watters hits a fast break layup for Catholic, is fouled and makes his free throw. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Catholic reciprocates and misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow calls in its international consultants and they vote to award the ball to Portland. Portland misses a three point shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Catholic misses an eight foot shot from the side of the lane. Portland throws a pass out of bounds. Tristan Taylor passes to Dean Jacobs, who sinks a threeball from the corner to boost Catholic to an 18-4 lead.

Portland misses a three point shot from the side. Catholic misses a six foot banked shot. Tristan Taylor steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Catholic. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing as the first quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After one quarter, Catholic has an 18-5 lead.

Catholic has the ball to begin the second quarter. Catholic misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Marc Nobis passes to Dalton Becker, who hits a five foot banked shot for Portland. Portland ties up the ball. The International Possession Arrow Consultants meet and vote to deliver the ball to Portland. Dean Jacobs knocks the ball away from Portland and Rory Durr picks it up for Catholic. Alex Watters is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to push the Catholic lead to 21-6 with 7:12 left in the first half.

Dom Novara gets into the lane and is fouled on a ten foot jumper. He hits two free throws for the Raiders. Catholic misses a three point shot from the corner. Luc Guerrazzi blocks a Portland shot. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Brody Kirkpatrick gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a layup. Portland misses a threeball from the side. Catholic reciprocates and misses a threeball from the side. Marc Nobis hits a fast break layup for Portland. Brody Kirkpatrick spins and hits a six foot shot from the baseline to give the Cougars a 23-10 lead.

Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Catholic misses a threeball from the side. Jack Jacobs gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a layup. Christopher Battley hits a fast break layup for Portland. He’s fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 5:16 to play in the first half, Catholic has a 23-12 lead.

Dalton Becker gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Catholic steals the ball; Portland quickly steals it back. (Alas, your Aging Bleacher Denizen was not able to note which players made these steals.) Evan Gross hits a three point shot from the corner for Portland to shave the Catholic lead to 23-15.

Catholic misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Brody Kirkpatrick pulls down the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Trent Meyers is fouled and makes both ends of a one and one free throw opportunity to cut the Catholic lead to 23-17 with 4:18 to play in the half.

Catholic misses a layup; Luc Guerrazzi hits a putback for the Cougars. Portland trips in the lane and is whistled for a traveling violation. Catholic misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Portland misses a twelve footer in the lane. Luc Guerrazzi hits a twelve foot shot off the dribble in the lane for Catholic. Luc Guerrazzi blocks a Portland shot; the loose ball is tied up. The Possession Arrow does its due diligence and the International Panel awards the ball to Catholic. Alex Waters drives from the top of the key and hits a six foot shot to boost the Catholic lead to 29-17.

Three Catholic players tie up the ball; the Possession Arrow gives the ball to Catholic. Dean Jacobs passes to Jagger Hillyer, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Catholic. Portland misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Dalton Becker gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misfires on a threeball from the top of the key. Dom Novara throws the rebound off a Cougar player to earn another possession for his Raiders. Dean Jacobs knocks the ball out of bounds; Portland retains possession. The Raiders miss a layup.

Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Alex Watters secures the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Portland gets the ball. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Trent Meyers gets the offesnive rebound and passes to Christopher Battley for a Raider layup. Trent Meyers steals the ball for Portland. Jack Jacobs steals the ball for Catholic and is fouled on a fast break layup. He hits two free throws to stretch the Catholic lead to 34-19 with 1:02 left in the first half.

Portland is whistled for a traveling violation. Ternt Meyers knocks the ball away from Catholic and Evan Gross picks it up for Portland. Portland misses a layup. Catholic throws its outlet pass too long and out of bounds. Portland misses a twelve foot shot frmo the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Raiders get another possession. A Portland dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Marc Nobis steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a three pointer from the wing. Catholic misses a twelve foot shot in the lane at the buzzer.

Catholic has a 34-19 halftime lead.

Dom Novara has 6 points to lead the Portland scoring.

Alex Watters has 12 points and Dean Jacobs has 7 points for Catholic.

Portland inbounds the ball to get the third quarter underway. Dean Jacobs knocks the ball away from Portland and Alex Watters picks it up for Catholic. Catholic misses a layup. Brody Kirkpatrick gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. The Cougars miss a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Portland takes possession. Brody Kirkpatrick gets his hand on the ball, but the Raiders are able to recover. Portland misses a layup. Jack Jacobs passes to Brody Kirkpatrick, who hits a layup to give Catholic a 36-19 lead.

Dalton Becker passes to Christopher Battley, who hits a layup for Portland. March Nobis steals the ball for Portland. Rory Durr blocks a Portland layup. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Cougars get the ball back. Jack Jacobs passes to Alex Watters, who banks in a jumper from the free throw elbow for the Cougars. Dom Novara drives and hits a layup for Portland. Rory Durr drives and hits a six foot banked shot to give Catholic a 40-23 lead.

Brody Kirkpatrick knocks the Portland inbound pass out of bounds; Portland retains possession. Catholic’s press forces Portland to throw the ball out of bounds. Evan Gross steals the ball for the Raiders. Portlnad misses a layup. Alex Watters drives and hits a five foot banked shot for Catholic. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. Luc Guerrazzi is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws to give Catholic a 44-23 lead with 4:37 to play in the third quarter.

Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Marc Nobis gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Dean Jacobs is fouled on a three point shot from the side and hits two of his three free throws for Catholic. James Parish passes to Christopher Battley, who hits a layup for Portland. Catholic misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Dean Jacobs steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give Catholic a 48-25 lead.

Portland misfires on a threeball from the wing. Alex Watters passes to Joey Baker, who hits a layup for the Cougars. Dom Novara hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw elbow for Portland. Joey Baker is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws for Catholic. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Luc Guerrezzi is fouled on an eight foot shot in the lane and hits one of his two free throws to boost Catholic to a 52-27 lead with 2:05 to play in the third quarter.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Catholic travels with the rebound. Portland misses a fifteen footer from the side. Catholic misses a ten foot shot from the side. Jagger Hillyer hits a putback for CAtholic. Jagger Hillyer steals the ball for Catholic. Christopher Battley blocks a Catholic shot. Portland misses a fast break layup. Marc Nobis hits the floor to cause Catholic to lose the ball out of bounds; Portland gets the ball.

Portland misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Marc Nobis steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a referse layup. Marc Nobis steals the ball and is fouled on a fast break layup with 5.7 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Marc Nobis hits one of his two free throws for Portland. Luc Guerrazzi hits an eight foot runner from the side of the lane at the buzzer for Catholic.

With three quarters in the books, Catholic has a 56-29 lead.

Catholic inbounds the ball to begin the fourth quarter. Jack Jacobs drives and hits a layup for Catholic; he is fouled on the play and sinks his free throw. Alex Watters steals the ball for Catholic. Trent Meyers knocks the ball away from Catholic and Dom Novara picks it up for Portland. Portland misses a layup. Alex Watters throws in a threeball from the side for Catholic to boost their lead to 62-29.

Portland misses a driving layup. Rory Durr passes to Dean Jacobs, who hits a three pointer from the corner for Catholic. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Dean Jacobs gets the offensive rebound and passes to Luc Guerrazzi, who hits a layup for the Cougars. Portland misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Dean Jacobs is fouled and hits both free throws in a one and one opportunity to push Catholic to a 69-29 lead with 6:09 left on the clock.

Trent Meyers passes to Evan Gross, who hits a three point shot from the side for Portland. Shaymus Kelley hits a fifteen foot shot from the baseline for Catholic. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Ethan Vukovic hits a putback for Catholic. Portland turns the ball over. Dalton Becker and Evan Gross team up to draw a charging foul from Catholic. Portland misses a ten foot shot from the baseline. Dane Wildrom gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing.

Catholic misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Mojo Othow blocks a Portland layup; the ball goes out of bounds and the Raiders get the ball back. portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Brody Kirkpatrick is fouled on a fast break layup and hits two free throws to give Catholic a 75-32 lead with 2:10 to play in the game.

Shaymus Kelley blocks a Portland layup. Portland recovers the loose ball and misses a three point shot from the side. mojo Othow passes to Jagger Hillyer, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Catholic. Ethan Vukovic blocks a Portland layup. Catholic misses a three point shot from the corner and fouls on the rebound. Mojo Othow steals the ball for Catholic. Catholic runs out the clock.

Catholic wins 78-32.

Dom Novara led the Portland scoring with 10 points. Christopher Battley added 8 points and Evan Gross tossed in 6 points as freshmen scored 24 of Portland’s points. Marc Nobis added 4 points. Trent Meyers and Dalton Becker each had 2 points.

Alex Watters had 17 points to lead Catholic’s scoring. Dean Jacobs joined his teammate in double figures with 16 points. Luc Guerrazzi contributed 9 points. Brody Kirkpatrick, Jack Jacobs and Jagger Hillyer each scored 8 points. Joey Baker and Rory Durr each tossed in 3 points. Ethan Vukovic, Tristan Taylor and Shaymus Kelley each tallied 2 points.