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

Tonight, my basketball journey takes me to Lansing Catholic where they will host both the Portland boys and girls teams. Obviously, I ignored the advice in my most recent video on my “Chuck Krafft” You Tube Channel where I suggest that you never know where the Red River Valley will lead you. Unless the Red Cedar counts, the Red River never gets really close to Lansing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03AhhNk1M8

The Cougars from Lansing Catholic and the Raiders from Portland are both undefeated entering this game. Lansing Catholic has a 10-0 record and Portland is at 6-0.

Sydney Buda is a great leader on and off the floor for Catholic. She does a lot of the screening and defensive work that do not show up in the box score, but are essential for any winning team. Hannah Pricco is an athletic guard who is a strong rebounder and frequently defends the opposition’s top player. She is quick to the basket on offense and creates a lot of turnovers when she is on defense.

Anna Richards runs the point for the Cougars. She is long and tall for a guard; this makes her a tough defender as well as being tough to stop of drives to the basket. She has an excellent basketball IQ and is also a strong three point shooter. Leah Richards is 6′ and excels on both offense and defense near the basket. She also understands the game well and has solid ball handling and shooting skills. She can hit the three point shot if she’s left open.

Gabby Halliwill provides great three point shooting either off the catch or off the dribble. She also is a great distributor when she leads the fast break. Morgan Wilcox is a fine athlete who can leap. This makes her an excellent defender, rebounder and shot blocker. Tessa Roe brings a defensive spark off the bench to her team. She sees the court well and finishes well at the rim. T. R. Repichowski is a fine shooter who brings scoring off the bench. Leia Reid is a fine defender with a nice shot and strong court awareness. Sydney Stevens has a lot of heart and speed. She is creative when finishing at the rim. Ella Dunsford has been injured, but hopes to be contributing soon.

Portland won the Division 2 Basketball Championship last year. Their leading scorer and shooting guard was Ashley Bower, who now is using those ball handling and scoring skills at the point guard position. She is a tall, energetic defender, and sure-handed rebounder who also has strong scoring skills either on the drive or from the three point line. She was an All-State player last year and is probably going to win that honor again this year.

Alivia Densmore and Breckyn Werner, who both started on last year’s champions are strong defenders and rebounders in the middle; each of them can hit the outside shot when needed. Ava Guilford, an aggressive defender and fearless slasher is another returning starter from last year. She plays mostly on the perimeter. Shalyn Dziewiatkowski, the fifth starter had a big role last year. She is tall and defends well anywhere on the court. Her persistent, aggressive defense produces chaos in opposing offenses. She also has an amazing ability to kick passes off course. Even though the other team gets the ball back, it is quite disruptive to the opposing offense.

Malia Thelen is a solid perimeter defender, ball handler and shooter who helps out at the guard positions. Alexa Weber is a strong defender and rebounder in the post. Foreign Exchange Student Doltza Oiartzabal is a creative ball handler and accurate three point shooter.

It’s time to review the events of this game through the occasionally clear lenses of an aging Bleacher Denizen who could never escape church league in the days of yore when he occasionally attempted to hoop. While people objected to the Bleacher Denizen’s willingness to pass the ball, your Bleacher Denizen was simply trying to keep the ball from being bounced on floors and thrown through rims. An adult perspective helps me see that my tactics did not produce an exciting game.

Portland wins the opening tap and Ashley Bower quickly hits a layup to give Portland the first two points of the game. Hannah Pricco drives the baseline and is fouled on a reverse layup. She hits one of her two free throws for Catholic. Portland misses a three point shot from the side. Breckyn Werner gets the offensive rebound. Portland misses a layup. Catholic misses a reverse layup. Portland is assessed with a traveling violation. Ava Guilford steals the ball for Portland. The Raiders miss a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic takes possession.

Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Cougars get another opportunity. Hannah Pricco drives and hits a layup to give Catholic a 3-2 lead.

Portland misses a layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic gets the ball. The Cougars commit an offensive foul. Anna Richards ties up the ball; the Possession Arrow is impressed with her hustle and decides to give the ball to Catholic. Ashley Bower knocks the ball away from Catholic and Breckyn Werner picks it up for Portland. Hannah Pricco blocks a Raider layup. Breckyn Werner gets the loose ball and hits a layup to give Portland a 4-3 lead.

Breckyn Werner ties up the ball; the Possession Arrow consults its legal team and decides that Portland shall have the ball. Alivia Densmore passes to Breckyn Werner, who uses some fine footwork to get a layup for the Raiders. Breckyn Werner steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Catholic misses a three pointer from the side. Portland misses a three pointer from the wing. Catholic misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Morgan Wilcox gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. Leah Richards hits a putback to cut the Portland lead to 6-5.

Portland misses a layup. Alivia Densmore pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. Catholic misfires on a threeball from the side. Morgan Wilcox gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. She passes to Hannah Pricco, who throws in a threeball from the corner to give Catholic an 8-6 lead.

Ashley Bower drives and makes a layup for Portland to tie the game. Catholic misses on a three pointer from the wing. Leah Richards hits a putback to put the Cougars back on top. Doltza Oiartzabal drives and hits a layup for Portland to tie the game at 10-10.

Catholic drives from the side and misses a layup. Portland misses a driving six foot hook shot. The rebound goes out of bounds and Portland gets the ball back. The Raiders misfire on a triple try from the side. Shalyn Dziewiatkowski and Doltza Oiartzabal team up to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow’s legal staff convinces to Arrow to ignore the Raiders’ fine hustle and give the ball to Catholic. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Tessa Roe gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic turns the ball over. Ashley Bower is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to give Portland the lead with 3.7 seconds remaining in the quarter. Catholic is not able to shoot before the first quarter buzzer sounds.

After one quarter, Portland has a 12-10 lead.

Portland inbounds the ball to start the second quarter. Ava Guilford passes to Shalyn Dziewiatkowski, who hits a six foot shot from the side of the lane for the Raiders. Catholic passes the ball too high and out of bounds. Portland takes possession. Hannah Pricco cleverly screens the Raiders away from a loose ball and it goes out of bounds; Catholic takes possession. Hannah Pricco passes to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses her two free throws. With 7:02 to play in the first half, the Raiders has a 14-10 lead.

Portland misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. Breckyn Werner steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Alivia Densmore gets the offensive rebound and passes to Breckyn Werner, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Raiders. Catholic misses a layup. Hannah Pricco knocks the ball away from Portland, but Alivia Densmore dives and recovers the ball for the Raiders. Portland calls time out to avoid turning the ball over. Ashley Bower passes to Breckyn Werner, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Portland a 20-10 lead.

Breckyn Werner blocks a Catholic shot; the ball goes out of bounds and the Cougars get another opportunity. Catholic misses a layup. Portland misses a scooping layup. Leah Richards goes coast to coast to hit a layup for Catholic. Portland misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Shalyn Dziewiatkowski steals the ball for the Raiders and is fouled. Hannah Pricco steals the ball for Catholic.

Catholic drives from the side and misses a ten foot shot from the baseline. The rebound goes out of bounds and Portland gets the ball. Ava Guilford saves a Portland pass to prevent a turnover. Morgan Wilcox knocks the ball away from Portland and Hannah Pricco picks it up for Catholic. Tessa Roe passes to Hannah Pricco, who throws in a threeball from the side to slash the Portland lead to 20-15.

Portland misses a three point attempt from the side. Ashley Bower steals a Catholic pass. Anna Richards steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Catholic. Breckyn Werner passes to Alivia Densmore, who banks in a six foot shot from the side to stop a seven point Catholic run. Catholic misses a layup. Gabby Halliwill knocks a Raider pass out of bounds; Portland retains possession. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Ava Guilford gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Sydney Buda steals the ball for Catholic. Catholic misses a three point shot from the corner. Ashley Bower drives the baseline and passes to Ava Guilford, who throws in a threeball from the corner to give Portland a 27-17 lead.

Gabby Halliwill responds with a three point shot from the wing for Catholic. Morgan Wilcox steals the ball for Catholic. Ava Guilford steals the ball for Portland. Anna Richards steals the ball for Catholic. The halftime buzzer sounds to put this on-court crime wave to an end.

At halftime, Portland has a 27-20 lead.

Hannah Pricco has 9 points and Leah Richards has 6 points to lead the Catholic scoring.

Breckyn Werner has 12 points and Ashley Bower has 6 points for Portland.

Catholic inbounds the ball to get the third quarter underway. Catholic misses a three pointer from the side. Sydney Buda is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for the Cougars. Ashley Bower drives and dishes the ball to Ava Guilford, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Portland. Portland has a 30-21 lead.

A threeball from the corner by Catholic gets wedges between the rim and the backboard. It takes the referees a while to knock the ball down. I would have been more than willing to propel my somewhat obese, aging, 65 year old body to the rim to knock the ball down, but no one would even ask me. No one ever asks me!!! (I feel ignored.) But I digress, we have a game to blog!!

The Possession Arrow decides to award the ball to Portland. Hannah Pricco blocks a Raider layup; the ball goes out of bounds and Portland gets another opportunity. Ashley Bower drives the baseline and scoops in a five foot shot to give her Raiders a 32-21 lead.

Catholic misses a driving layup. Leah Richards snags the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a layup. The Raiders reciprocate and miss a layup. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Hannah Pricco gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars and passes to Leah Richards, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Catholic to trim the Portland lead to 32-24.

Portland misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Catholic misses a layup. Hannah Pricco steals a Raider pass. Breckyn Werner blocks a Catholic layup. Leah Richards recovers the loose ball and is fouled as she shoots a layup. Leah Richards sinks two free throws to cut the Portland lead to 32-26 with 5:06 to play in the third quarter.

Portland misfires on a triple try from the corner. Breckyn Werner hits a putback for the Raiders. Leah Richards tosses in a sixteen footer from the baseline for Catholic. Gabby Halliwill knocks a Portland pass out of bounds; the Raiders retain possession. Hannah Pricco steals the ball for the Cougars. Catholic misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Morgan Wilcox pulls down the offensive rebound and passes to Leah Richards, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key to slash the Portland lead to 34-31.

Portland misses a three pointer from the corner and fouls on the rebound. Hannah Pricco drives the baseline and hits a layup to pull the Cougars to within one point. Ashley Bower passes to Breckyn Werner, who hits a three pointer from the corner for Portland. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Breckyn Werner gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Tessa Roe either blocks a Portland shot or gets a steal for Catholic. In any event, she and the Cougars end up with the ball. Morgan Wilcox passes to Tessa Roe, who hits a three point shot from the wing to cut the Portland lead to 37-36.

Portland is unable to inbound the ball within five seconds and turns the ball over. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Sydney Buda gets a tough offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Shalyn Dziewiatkowski passes to Ashley Bower who is cutting to the basket and hits a layup for Portland. Catholic misses a long threeball from the wing as the third quarter buzzer sounds.

After three quarters, Portland has a 39-36 lead.

Catholic has the ball to start the fourth quarter. Anna Richards hits a three point shot from the wing for Catholic to tie the game. Portland misses a three point shot from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic gets another possession. Ashley Bower gets her hand on the ball, but Catholic is able to recover. Leah Richards, drives spins and hits a banked layup to give Catholic a 41-39 lead.

Portland misses a five footer in the lane. The rebound is tied up; the Possession Arrow polls the internet and the ball is awarded to Portland. Portland misses a three point attempt from the top of the key. Hannah Pricco passes to Leah Richards, who hits a corner jumper just inside the three point line for Catholic. Breckyn Werner hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line for Portland. Gabby Halliwill throws in a threeball off the dribble from the wing to push Catholic to a 46-41 lead.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Ashley Bower and Malia Thelen dive to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow arrogantly ignores their extreme hustle and awards the ball to Catholic. Ashley Bower steals the Cougar inbound pass. Doltza Oiartzabal passes to Ava Guilford, who is fouled on a three point shot from the corner. Ava Guilford tosses one, two and three free throws through the hoop to shave the Catholic lead to 46-44 with 5:13 left on the game clock.

Doltza Oiartzabal gets her hand on the ball to prevent a Catholic layup; the ball goes out of bounds and the Cougars get it back. Catholic drives the baseline, but misses a layup. Portland misses a twelve foot shot from the baseline. Hannah Pricco drives the baseline and is fouled on a reverse layup. She hits one of her two free throws to give Catholic a 47-44 lead with 4:17 remaining in the contest.

Ashley Bower passes to Doltza Oiartzabal, who hits a three point shot from the wing to tie the game at 47-47.

Ashley Bower steals the ball for Portland. Portland misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Malia Thelen gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland turns the ball over. Hannah Pricco passes to Leah Richards, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to give the lead to Catholic at 49-47 with 3:06 to play.

Portland misses a driving banked hook shot. Breckyn Werner gets her hand on the ball and Catholic loses it out of bounds. Doltza Oiartzabal passes to Ashley Bower, who hits a layup for Portland to tie the game at 49-49.

Catholic drives the baseline and misses a layup. Portland is whistled for a traveling violation. Hannah Pricco is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to give Catholic a 51-49 lead with 1:25 to go in the game.

Gabby Halliwill knocks the ball away from Portland and Morgan Wilcox picks it up for Catholic. Anna Richards is fouled on a six foot runner in the lane and hits one of her two free throws with 58.8 seconds left in the game. Portland misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Raiders get another opportunity. Portland misfires on a threeball from the corner. The rebound is tied up and the Possession Arrow gives Portland another opportunity to make up their three point deficit with 30.1 seconds left.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Ava Guilford gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic gets the ball. Leah Richards is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to give Catholic a four point lead. Anna Richards gets the offensive rebound for Catholic and hits two free throws with 6.3 seconds to play to give Catholic a 55-49 lead.

Breckyn Werner passes to Ava Guilford, who hits a three point shot from the corner as the final buzzer sounds. Catholic wins the game by a 55-52 score.

Breckyn Werner had 19 points to lead the Portland scoring. Ashley Bower and Ava Guilford each contributed 12 points. Doltza Oiartzabal scored 5 points. Shalyn Dziewiatkowski and Alivia Densmore each added 2 points.

Leah Richards erupted for 17 second half points and had 23 for the game to lead Catholic. Hannah Pricco joined her teammate in double figures with 14 points. Anna Richards contributed 8 points. Gabby Halliwill had two treys for 6 total points. Tessa Roe scored 3 points and Sydney Buda tallied 1 point.

The Catholic and Portland boys played later that night. For those of you who would like to see the results of that game, here is the link!

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