Saranac at Potterville – – CMAC Girls Game of the Week – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 27, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

The Bleacher Denizen is making the trek to Potterville tonight to blog Potterville’s game with Saranac. Perhaps, it’s a bit of a stretch to call the 14.3 miles between my home in Lansing to Potterville a “trek.” I will have to contact the Federal Trek Designation Standards Board to see if my trip to Potterville actually qualifies.

Today was a fun day for me as I was able to complete this video at the music studio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0IFWZLHHuc

The Potterville Vikings have a 4-5 record in the rugged CMAC where there are no “gimme” wins on the girls side this year. Their record is 6-5 overall. The Saranac Redskins are 3-6 in the CMAC with a 5-7 record overall.

Darby Lienerth is a great perimeter defender and ball handler who leads her team from the point guard position. She is skilled at slashing to the basket and also has a dangerous three point shot. Kaylee Bush plays in the middle where she plays the tough defense and does the rebounding you would expect. However on offense, her perimeter skills are strong as most guards. She one of the best three point and free throw shooters in the area; she can drive to the basket as well. She’s also more than capable of scoring on putbacks and moves in the paint.

Madelyn Geisenhaver plays strong defense and rebounds well in the post. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks simply puts the “T” in “toughness!” She is an extremely tough rebounder and defender in the post and backs down from no one. She goes after every loose ball and rebound with as much intensity as I’ve seen from anyone in awhile. Lexis Wheeler is a quality defender on the perimeter who also shoots well from the three point line. Katelyn Martinez is another good defender on the perimeter for the Vikings. Thanks to Potterville Coach Al Adams for providing this information at a previous game.

Saranac Coach Steve Tompkins provided me with this information about his Saranac players. Paige Guernsey is a four year varsity player. She is a versatile player with strong offensive ball handling, passing and slashing skills. She can also hit shots from the outside. She has an amazing degree of competitiveness, which combined with her strength and quickness, makes her a defensive player who can change games.

Brenna Simmons is a wing who runs the floor really well and scores on fast break layups. Camryn Jackson is a tough, athletic player who defends well and scores well near the basket. Anna McPherson has an accurate three point shot. Jordan Sterzick runs the point; she is a fine passer and solid perimeter defender. Natalie Olsen is a superior perimeter defender who is often asked to stop strong opposing players. Megan Chipman defends the perimeter well and has an excellent basketball IQ.

It is now time to record the events of this CMAC conference battle through the fading eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who never was able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. While people criticized his outside shooting and court vision, to be fair, it was difficult to shoot or even see well in the candle-lit gyms we used back when your Bleacher Denizen was younger. (As hard as it is to comprehend that, there was a day in ancient times when your Bleacher Denizen was actually considered to be young. As soon as I have my Geritol, I will get started on the blog article.)

Saranac wins the opening tap. Anna McPherson hits a layup to give Saranac the first two points of the game. Camryn Jackson steals the ball for Saranac; the Redskins miss a layup. Kaylee Bush hits a putback for Potterville to tie the game. Paige Guernsey stops and pops in a ten foot shot from the side of the lane for Saranac. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks passes to Madelyn Geisenhaver, who hits a layup for the Vikings to tie the game at 4-4.

Saranac misses a layup. Brenna Simmons knocks the rebound to a Redskin teammate. Saranac misses a driving layup. Potterville misses a threeball from the side. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks hits a putback to give her Vikings a two point lead. Saranac misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Paige Guernsey pulls down the offensive rebound for Saranac.

Saranac misfires on a three point shot from the side. Camryn Jackson gets the offensive rebound for the Redskins. Saranac misses a layup. In a deja vu moment, Camryn Jackson gets the offensive rebound and Saranac misses a layup. Sarah Greenfield steals a Viking pass. Paige Guernsey gets the ball to Anna McPherson, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give Saranac a 7-6 lead.

Potterville misfires on a triple try from the wing. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks knocks the ball out of bounds; Saranac retains possession. Saranac misses a driving layup. Kaylee Bush hits a putback to retake the lead for Potterville. Kaylee Bush forces Saranac to miss an eight foot shot from the baseline. Potterville misses a sixteen foot shot from the wing. Saranac misses a threeball from the wing. Kaylee Bush is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to push Potterville to a 10-7 lead with 2:31 remaining in the first quarter.

Saranac misses a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane. Madelyn Geisenhaver drives and hits a layup for Potterville. Saranac misses a driving reverse layup. Potterville misses a three point shot from the corner. Potterville gets the offensive rebound; the Vikings miss a layup. Kaylee Bush gets the offensive rebound; the Vikings miss a layup. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Paige Guernsey blocks a Viking layup; the ball goes out of bounds and Potterville gets another opportunity. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks passes to Kaylee Bush, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to give the Vikings a 13-7 lead with 1:04 to play in the first quarter.

Darby Lienerth snares the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Saranac misses a three pointer from the corner. Potterville misses a ten foot shot from the side. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville is fouled on a putback, but misses two free throws. Kaylee Bush steals the ball for the Vikings. Brenna Simmons blocks a Potterville fast break layup. The ball goes out of bounds and Potterville gets another possession. Potterville misses a layup at the buzzer.

After one quarter, Potterville has a 13-7 lead.

Potterville has the ball to commence the second quarter. (I guess I’m hoping that using high-falutin’ words makes me to be more literate. I know “pretentious might be the thought that comes to some.) Jordan Sterzick pays little attention to the Bleacher Denizen’s literary pretensions and nearly steals the ball for Saranac. The rock goes out of bounds and Potterville gets it back. The Vikings miss a fifteen foot shot from the baseline.

Lexis Wheeler gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a three point attempt from the wing. Saranac misses a driving layup. Brenna Simmons steals the ball for Saranac. Pressure from Chrissy Jordan-Hicks causes Saranac to lose the ball out of bounds. Brenna Simmons steals a Viking pass. Saranac misses a fast break layup. Darby Lienerth passes to Kaylee Bush, who sinks a threeball from the wing to push the Potterville lead to 16-7.

Chrissy Jordan-Hicks applies pressure and nearly steals the ball, but Saranac recovers. Darby Lienerth takes her turn at nearly stealing the ball, but Saranac recovers again. Paige Guernsey is fouled on a shot and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Viking lead to 16-8 with 5:45 to play in the half.

Darby Lienerth hits an eight foot shot from the side of the lane for Potterville. Kaylee Bush steals the ball for the Vikings. Anna McPherson blocks a Viking fifteen footer from the baseline. Potterville misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Paige Guernsey passes to Jordan Sterzick, who throws in a threeball from the wing for Saranac to shave the Viking lead to 18-11.

Potterville misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac takes possession. Saranac misses a fourteen foot shot in the lane. Darby Lienerth drives and dishes the ball to Madelyn Geisenhaver, who hits a layup for Potterville. Saranac drives the baseline and misses a layup. The Redskins are fouled on a layup, but miss two free throws. With 3:42 left on the first half clock, Potterville holds a 20-11 lead.

Darby Lienerth passes to Lexis Wheeler, who throws in a threeball from the wing for Potterville. Saranac misses a layup. Camryn Jackson hits a putback for the Redskins. Paige Guernsey steals a Viking pass. Saranac misses a three pointer from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Potterville gets the ball. Potterville misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Jordan Sterzick passes to Paige Guernsey, who spins and hits a ten foot shot in the lane to cut the Viking lead to 23-15.

Madeleine Hill knocks the ball out of bounds; Potterville gets the ball back. Potterville misses a sixteen foot shot from the wing. Kaylee Bush gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Madeleine Hill ties the ball up. After consulting with its international panel, the Possession Arrow decides to reward Ms. Hill’s hustle and gives the ball to the Redskins. Jordan Sterzick passes to Brenna Simmons, who hits a layup to cut the Potterville lead to 23-17.

Potterville misfires on a threeball from the corner. Darby Lienerth gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Saranac misses a fast break layup. Potterville misses a three point shot from the corner. Saranac is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses two free throws. Potterville misses a driving layup. Saranac misses a thirty foot fling at the buzzer.

At halftime, Potterville leads 23-17.

Paige Guernsey and Anna McPherson each have 5 points to lead the Saranac scoring.

Kaylee Bush has 10 points and Madelyn Geisenhaver has 6 points for Potterville.

Potterville inbounds the ball to get the third quarter underway. Lexis Wheeler passes to Kaylee Bush, who sinks a fifteen footer from the baseline for the Vikings. Saranac misses a threeball from the wing. Potterville misses a threeball from the side. Saranac misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane and fouls on the rebound. Kaylee Bush passes to Chrissy Jordan-Hicks, who makes a layup and is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 6:37 to play in the third quarter, Potterville has a 27-17 lead.

Paige Guernsey drives the baseline, hits a layup, is fouled and makes her free throw for Saranac. Camryn Jackson knocks a Viking pass out of bounds; Potterville gets another opportunity. In another deja vu moment, Paige Guernsey knocks the ball out of bounds and Potterville gets it back again. Darby Lienerth passes to Madelyn Geisenhaver, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws. With 5:46 to play in the third quarter, Potterville has a 28-20 lead.

Saranac misses a three point shot from the wing. Potterville loses a pass out of bounds. Darby Lienerth steals the ball for the Vikings. Anna McPherson blocks a Potterville shot; the Vikings recover the loose ball. Potterville misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Saranac misses a fast break layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Redskins get the ball back. Darby Lienerth steals the ball for the Vikings. Darby Lienerth makes a six foot shot off the dribble in the lane to give Potterville a 30-20 lead.

Camryn Jackson hits a putback for Saranac. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks passes to Lexis Wheeler, who hits a layup for Potterville. Saranac misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Kaylee Bush hits a fast break layup for Potterville. Natalie Olsen passes to Paige Guernsey, who sinks a three point shot from the wing to trim the Viking lead to 34-25.

Potterville loses a pass out of bounds. Saranac misses a driving layup. Darby Lienerth hits a three point shot from the top of the key for Potterville. Lexis Wheeler draws a charging foul from Saranac. Jordan Sterzick steals the ball for Saranac. Saranac misses a driving reverse layup. Paige Guernsey blocks a Viking fast break layup and nearly steals the ball in the process. The ball goes out of bounds; Potterville retains possession.

Potterville misses a three pointer from the side. Saranac misses a three pointer from the wing. Potterville reciprocates and misses a three pointer from the wing. Darby Lienerth pulls down the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville loses a pass out of bounds. Madelyn Geisenhaver knocks the ball away from Saranac and Kaylee Bush picks it up for Potterville.

Potterville throws a pass out of bounds on a too fast break. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks steals the ball for Potterville. Madeleine Hill steals the ball for Saranac. The Redskins are fouled on a layup near the buzzer and miss two free throws. Potterville inbounds the ball with .3 of a second left; Camryn Jackson steals the pass as the third quarter buzzer blares.

After three quarters, Potterville has a 37-25 lead.

Potterville inbounds the ball to start out the fourth quarter. Sarah Greenfield steals a Viking pass. Kennedy Spotts gets her hand on the ball and it goes out of bounds. Saranac gets another possession. Megan Geisenhaver knocks the ball away from Saranac and Kennedy Spotts picks it up for Potterville. Paige Guernsey knocks the ball away from Potterville and Brenna Simmons picks it up for Saranac. Saranac misses a reverse hook/layup and fouls Potterville on the rebound. Potterville misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. With 6:51 left on the clock, Potterville’s lead remains at 37-25.

The rebound from the missed free throw goes out of bounds and Potterville gets the ball back. Potterville misses a sixteen foot shot near the top of the key. Darby Lienerth snares the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a three point shot from the wing. Jordan Sterzick passes to Paige Guernsey, who hits a layup to cut the Potterville lead to 37-27.

Natalie Olsen steals the ball for Saranac. Saranac loses the ball out of bounds on a too fast break. Potterville misses a layup. Darby Lienerth gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Saranac ties up the ball. The Possession calls a world conference; the delegates vote to give Saranac the ball. Saranac is whistled for a traveling violation. Paige Guernsey steals a Viking pass. Saranac misses an eight foot shot from the side. Darby Lienerth drives the lane and hits a layup to extend the Viking lead to 39-27.

Anna McPherson inbounds the ball to Camryn Jackson, who makes a layup for Saranac. Paige Guernsey steals a Viking pass and hits a layup for the Redskins. Potterville misses a layup. Kaylee Bush is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws for Potterville. Saranac misses a threeball from the wing. Paige Guernsey steals a Potterville pass. Paige Guernsey hits a fifteen foot shot from the side of the lane for Saranac. Darby Lienerth is fouled and sinks two pressure-packed free throws in a one and one opportunity for the Vikings. With 3:05 left on the clock, Potterville has a 43-33 lead.

Saranac misfires on a triple try from the wing. Sarah Greenfield steals the ball for the Redskins. Saranac misses a jumper from the free throw line. Paige Guernsey steals the ball for Saranac and hits a putback on the fast break. Anna McPherson steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to trim the Potterville lead to 43-37.

Chrissy Jordan-Hicks passes to Madelyn Geisenhaver, who hits a layup for Potterville. Saranac misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Potterville misses a fast break layup. Paige Guernsey hits a three point shot from the wing to chop the Potterville lead to 45-40 with 42.1 seconds to play.

Paige Guernsey steals a Potterville pass; she passes to Camryn Jackson, who hits a shot just inside the three point line from the top of the key. Kaylee Bush is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Potterville. With 16.1 seconds left, Potterville leads 46-42.

Paige Guernsey passes to Camryn Jackson, who hits a three point shot from the wing to cut Potterville’s lead to one point. Kaylee Bush is fouled and hits one of her two free throws with 3.0 seconds left to give the Vikings a 47-45 lead.

Saranac misses a forty foot heave at the buzzer. Saranac’s spirited comeback falls just short and Potterville wins 47-45.

Saranac’s Paige Guernsey led all scorers with 22 points. Camryn Jackson supported her with 11 points. Anna McPherson added 7 points. Jordan Sterzick scored 3 points and Brenna Simmons tallied 2 points.

Kaylee Bush led the victorious Vikings with 18 points. I learned after the game that this is really impressive as she has a broken finger. (I can’t imagine shooting a ball that way. It has to be painful.) Darby Lienerth joined her teammate in double figures with 11 points. Madelyn Geisenhaver pitched in with 9 points. Lexis Wheeler scored 5 points. Chrissy Jordan-Hicks scored 4 points to go along with a lot of rebounds, some fine passing and some fantastic defense inside.