Dryden at Kingston – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 17, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen’s travels take him to Kingston where the Cardinals will take on the Cardinals from Dryden. I should have probably asked if the winner gets to take the nickname, but I don’t believe either school is interested in redesigning bunches of uniforms. Oh well, the trip to Kingston from Lansing via your Bleacher Denizen’s home town of Frankenmuth was uneventful – – which is great. In winter, when something eventful happens on the highway, it is seldom a good thing.

Of course, your Bleacher Denizen could have followed his suggestion in this You Tube video where he lets the listeners know that you never know where the Red River Valley will lead to. (I’ve checked the map; Kingston is not a place where it leads. If this is confusing you, you could possibly watch the highlighted video from my “Chuck Krafft” You Tube channel.)

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

Kingston’s Cardinals enter this game with a 6-3 record. All three losses are to Division 1 or Division 2 schools. (Kingston is in Division 3.) Coach Jay Green shared this information about his Cardinal players. Abby Walker provides post play; she is an excellent rebounder and interior defender. On offense, she scores well near the basket. Her twin sister Gracy is and excellent three point shooter and passer who defends well on the perimeter. Isabel Hurd is a senior in her third year on the varsity. She is a stalwart perimeter defender who slashes to the basket well.

Brooklyn Walker provides fierce perimeter defense to the Cardinals. Delaney St. George is a fine three point shooter. Freshman Chesaney Wenzlaff is an excellent three point shooter. Keira McGarvie and Callie Becovic are strong rebounders and defenders in the post.

Dryden comes into the game with a 1-6 record. Coach Marcus Leija provided this information about his team. Jessica Peters runs the point for the Cardinals. She is a good ball handler and accurate passer; She also helps to lead her teammates. She scores well either slashing to the basket or shooting from the three point line. Lauren Abromaits helps lead the team from her post position where she helps keep the offense organized. She is a fine defender and rebounder in the post as well.

Rilynn Lindsay, who scores well either inside or from the three point line and Ava DeVlaminck, who is a great defender and shot blocker in the post will not be available to play tonight.

Kingston got off to a 27-5 lead after the first quarter of the JV game and rolled to a 71-33 win.

Kierstyn Stankevich led the Dryden JVs with 15 points. Keira Miller and Isabella Weier each scored 7 points. Jade Insley and Makenzie Theobald each added 2 points.

Ashlyn Walker led the victorious Kingston JVs with 26 points. Lauren Krug joined her teammate in double figures with 16 points. Faith Boyl and Daisy Barnes each tossed in 8 points. Andie Hurd had 5 points. Meeghan Flikkie and Zoe VanRijn each added 4 points.

It is now time to look at the events of this game through the hopefully clear lenses of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league during the days of yore when he attempted to play basketball. It took him way too long to learn that laying bricks is a good thing when one is a mason, but many basketball coaches frown on players who launch bricks at the basket. Who knew??

The Cardinals win the opening tap. The Cardinals from Kingston think this is a good thing; the Cardinals from Dryden are forced to react to it. (I guess that while using nicknames sometimes helps to keep the writing from being too choppy, that it may not work well for this game!!) Gracy Walker drives and hits a layup to give Kingston the first two points of the game. Dryden is whistled for an over and back violation. Abby Walker passes to Gracy Walker, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Kingston. With 7:33 to play in the first quarter, the score is Gracy Walker 4 Dryden 0.

Jessica Peterson puts back a missed layup to give Dryden two points. Kingston misses a layup. Gracy Walker pulls down the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kingston misses a ten foot banked runner. Isabel Hurd steals the ball for Kingston. Kingston misses a threeball from the top of the key. Brooklyn Walker gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kingston misses a jump shot. Isabel Hurd stelas the ball for Kingston and passes to Delaney St. George, who is fouled on a layup. Delaney St. George hits one of her two free throws to give Kingston a 5-2 lead with 5:52 to play in the first quarter.

Gracy Walker gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kingston misses a ten foot shot from the baseline. Abby Walker snags the offensive rebound for Kingston. Delaney St. George drives and hits a layup for Kingston. Dryden turns the ball over against Kingston’s press. Kingston misses a layup. Brooklyn Walker steals the ball for Kingston. Isabel Hurd hits a fifteen foot shot from the side to push Kingston to a 9-2 lead.

Delaney St. George steals the ball for Kingston. Kingston turns the ball over. Dryden misfires on a three pointer from the wing. Kingston misses a layup. Isabel Hurd ties the ball up. The Possession Arrow was watching You Tube videos on my channel and missed the play. The ball is awarded to Dryden. Dryden misses a three point shot from the wing. Isabel Hurd passes to Abby Walker, who hits a layup to give Kingston an 11-2 lead.

Dryden misses a jumper from the free throw line. Kingston misses a triple try from the top of the key. Chesaney Wenzlaff gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Olivia Stickler steals the ball for Dexter. Abby Walker knocks the ball away from Dexter and Isabel Hurd picks it up for Kingston. Isabel Hurd passes to Abby Walker, who is fouled as she shoots a layup. She makes one of her two free throws to give Kingston a 12-2 lead with 2:13 to go in the quarter.

Dryden misses a three point shot from the wing. Sophia Peter ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow does a makeup call and awards the ball to Kingston. Kingston misses a layup. Olivia Stickler goes to the floor for Dryden for the rebound; she is fouled on the play. Dryden misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Kingston misses a fast break layup. Delaney St. George pulls down the offensive rebound for Kingston. Chesaney Wenzlaff passes to Keira McGarvie, who hits a layup to give Kingston a 14-2 lead.

Dryden misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound is tied up. After consulting with its international network, the Possession Arrow decrees that the ball shall go to Dryden. Dryden misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Chesaney Wenzlaff is fouled on a driving layup for Kingston. With 15.1 seconds left in the first quarter, she hits two free throws. Chesaney Wenzlaff continues her fine play on the defensive end as she knocks a Dryden pass out of bounds and Kingston takes possession. Kingston does not have time to shoot before the first quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After one quarter, Kingston has a 16-2 lead.

Kingston has the ball to start the second quarter. Kingston misses a layup. Brooklyn Walker steals a Dryden pass into the lane. Kingston misses a layup. Abby Walker hits a putback for Kingston. Gracy Walker steals the ball for Kingston. Kingston misses a driving layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Dryden takes possession. Isabel Hurd steals the ball for Kingston. Delaney St. George hits a fast break layup for Kingston. Dryden commits an offensive foul.

Ashley Hickmott blocks a Kingston shot. Kingston recovers the ball. Delaney St. George inbounds the ball to Isabel Hurd, who makes a layup for Kingston. Keira McGarvie knocks the ball away from Dryden and Delaney St. George picks it up for Kingston. Delaney St. George is fouled on a fast break layup and hits two free throws to give Kingston a 24-2 lead with 5:18 left on the first half clock.

Jessica Peters gets into the lane and banks in an eight foot scooped shot for Dryden. Delaney St. George drives and dishes the ball to Gracy Walker, who hits a layup for Kingston. Isabel Hurd gets her hand on the ball and Dryden loses it out of bounds. Kingston is whistled for a three seconds violation. Dryden misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Kingston misses a banked hook shot. The rebound is tied up; the Possession Arrow mulls the situation over and awards the ball to Dryden.

Isabel Hurd steals the ball for Kingston. Kingston misses a layup. Dryden reciprocates and misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Kingston takes possession. Kingston misses a layup. Gracy Walker steals the ball and is fouled. Gracy Walker makes both free throws in a one and one opportunity to boost Kingston to a 28-4 lead with 2:21 to play in the first half.

Keira Miller dives to prevent an errant Dryden pass from becoming a turnover. She ties the ball up, but the Possession Arrow ignores her fine hustle and decrees that Kingston shall have the ball. Lauren Abromaits knocks a Kingston pass out of bounds; Kingston retains possession. Delaney St. George passes to Kali Norris, who hits an eight foot shot from the side for Kingston. Lauren Abromaits is fouled on a driving layup; she hits one of her two free throws. With 1:36 remaining in the first half, Kingston has a 30-5 lead.

Abby Walker hits a hook/layup for Kingston. Dryden misses a layup. Lauren Abromaits makes a great effort, but the rebound goes out of bounds and Kingston gets the ball. Abby Walker passes to Delaney St. George, who hits a layup for Kingston. Dryden misses a three point shot from the corner. Keira Miller gets the offensive rebound for Dryden. Dryden misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Kingston gets the ball. Kingston misses a layup. Jessica Peters is fouled on a seventeen foot shot from the wing and makes one of her two free throws with a half second left in the first half. Kingston inbounds the ball, but does not have time to shoot before the buzzer.

At halftime, Kingston has a 34-6 lead.

Jessica Peters leads the Dryden scoring at halftime with 5 points.

Delaney St. George leads Kingston with 9 points at halftime. Gracy Walker has 8 points and Abby Walker has 7.

Dryden has the ball to start off the third quarter. Dryden loses the ball out of bounds. The Walker Twin Connection shows itself as Abby Walker passes to Gracy Walker, who tosses in a triple from the corner for Kingston. Gracy Walker ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow is impressed by her hustle and awards the ball to Kingston. Kingston misfires on a triple try from the corner. Delaney St. George gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kingston is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 6:09 to play in the third quarter, Kingston holds a 37-6 lead.

Dryden is whistled for a traveling violation. Isabel Hurd passes to Delaney St. George, who hits a three point shot from the side for Kingston. Dryden misses a three point shot from the side. Ashley Hickmott knocks the ball away from Kingston and Olivia Stickler picks it up for Dryden. Gracy Walker steals the ball for Kingston. Ashley Hickmott knocks the ball out of bounds to prevent a Kingston layup; Kingston retains possession. Kingston misses a three point shot from the corner. Dryden is fouled on an eight foot shot in the lane, but misses two free throws. With 4:19 left in the third quarter, Kingston’s lead is at 40-6.

Ashley Hickmott blocks a Kingston shot. Delaney Wolle hits a layup for Dryden. Kingston misses a three point shot from the corner. Abby Walker gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kingston misses a layup. Jessica Peters hits a layup for Dryden. Kingston is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 3:19 remaining in the third quarter, Kingston has a 40-10 lead.

Chesaney Wenzlaff knocks the ball out of bounds; Dryden retains possession. Dryden carries the ball and turns it over. Kingston misses a three point shot from the wing. Gracy Walker ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow’s inner circle meets and decides to ignore Ms. Walker’s aggressive defense. The ball is awarded to Dryden. Gracy Walker blocks a Dryden shot. Kingston misfires on a threeball from the side. Dryden misses a twelve foot shot from the baseline. Chesaney Wenzlaff hits a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side to give Kingston a 42-10 lead.

Chesaney Wenzlaff steals the ball for Kingston. Lauren Abromaits and Keira Miller knock the ball away from Kingston and out of bounds; Kingston gets the ball back. Kingston misses a layup; Kali Norris gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kali Norris passes to Abby Walker, who hits an up and under layup for Kingston. Dryden misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Kingston misses a three point shot from the side. Keira McGarvie gets the offensive rebound for Kingston.

Kingston misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound is tied up; the Possession Arrow decides to give the ball to Kingston. Kingston misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Madison Lafond gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kingston misses a three point shot from the wing at the buzzer.

With three quarters in the books, Kingston has a 44-10 lead.

Dryden inbounds the ball to get the fourth quarter underway. Dryden misses a seventeen foot shot from the wing. Kingston misses a jumper from the side. Keira McGarvie gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Lauren Abromaits blocks a Kingston shot; Kingston recovers the ball, but misses a layup. Dryden misses a five foot fast break banked shot. Jessica Peters steals the ball for Dryden. Dryden misses a fast break layup. Kingston misses a three point shot from the side. Lauren Abromaits inbounds the ball to Jessica Peters, who hits a three point shot for Dryden to trim the Kingston lead to 44-13.

Isabel Hurd drives and dishes the ball to Kali Norris, who throws in a threeball from the wing for Kingston. Jessica Peters drives and hits a layup for Dryden. Kingston misses a three pointer from the side. Isabel Hurd pulls down the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kingston misses a fast break layup. Dryden reciprocates and misses a fast break layup. Jessica Peters pulls down the offensive rebound and is fouled on a putback. She hits one of her two free throws for Dryden. With 4:44 left on the clock, Kingston holds a 47-16 lead.

Adrianna Essenmacher passes the ball to Chesaney Wenzlaff, who hits a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the baseline for Kingston. Dryden misses a jump shot. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow consults with its professional staff and awards the ball to Dryden. Jessica Peters is fouled on a scooping layup and hits one of her two free throws. Kingston misses a sixteen foot shot from the wing. Adrianna Essenmacher gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Kingston misfires on a triple try from the side. Callie Becovic hits a putback to give Kingston a 51-17 lead.

Dryden turns the ball over. Kingston misses a layup. Dryden throws a pass out of bounds. Kingston misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. McKenzie Taylor gets the offensive rebound for Kingston. Madison Lafond passes to Adrianna Essenmacher, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for Kingston to give her team a 53-17 lead.

Dryden misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Kingston misses a twelve foot shot from the baseline. Dryden misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Kingston takes the ball. Kingston misfires on a three pointer from the wing. Dryden is fouled on an eight foot shot from the side, but misses two free throws. With 1:25 remaining in the game, Kingston has a 53-17 lead.

Dryden misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Kingston misses a layup. Dryden reciprocates and misses a layup. Kingston misses an eight foot shot from the side. Dryden misses a jump shot from the side. Delaney Wolle gets the offensive rebound for Dryden. Keira Miller passes to Lauren Abromaits, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws. With 27.9 seconds to go, Kingston has a 53-18 lead.

Kingston misses a sixteen foot shot form the baseline. Dryden misses a three point shot from the wing. Kingston misses a layup. Kali Norris hits a putback for Kingston. The final buzzer sounds.

Kingston wins this game by a 55-18 score.

Jessica Peters led the Dryden scoring with 14 points. Delaney Wolle and Lauren Abromaits each tallied 2 points.

Delaney St. George led the Kingston scoring with 12 points. Gracy Walker joined her teammate in double figures with 11 points. Abby Walker contributed 9 points. Kali Norris chipped in with 7 points. Chesaney Wenzlaff scored 6 points. Isabel Hurd added 4 points. Keira McGarvie, Adrianna Essenmacher and Callie Becovic each had 2 points.

Edited to add: I have deleted the comment about the unofficial fifth or sixth grade game. It may have been not completely accurate. To the people who are so invested in a fifth or sixth grade game that they feel compelled to post flaming comments on Facebook, I don’t know what to say.