Potterville at Laingsburg – – CMAC Boys Game of the Week – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 16, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, it’s time for the Bleacher Denizen to head to Laingsburg for the CMAC Boys Game of the Week! When I got to Laingsburg High, I saw that they had built an auditorium and did some other construction. It was really well done and quite impressive!

It’s nice to see that Laingsburg did that for their drama and music departments. Your Bleacher Denizen is known to place an occasional song on his “Chuck Krafft” You Tube Channel. While it may not be quite as cultural as the performances here, this is a song over a hundred years old that will show some of the corny, but fun humor from yesteryear. (I hope.)

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

The Wolfpack from Laingsburg is in third place in the CMAC with a 7-3 record; they are 7-5 overall. Zander Woodruff is an excellent ball handler and scorer for the Wolfpack. He is equally comfortable shooting the threeball or driving to the basket. His brother Eli can score inside or outside as well. He is a strong, physical player who rebounds well and can defend just about any opponent.

Ethan West is the big guy in the middle; he anchors the defense and is a tough rebounder. Miguel Fajardo is an athletic perimeter defender. Noah Hagerty is a smart player who defends well on the perimeter or in the post.

The Potterville Vikings are in fifth in the CMAC with a 6-5 record; they are 8-6 overall. Chris Hicks, a strong, quick, athletic, determined defender who also drives well to the basket is sick and won’t play tonight. Da’Marion Hicks is an extremely quick and deceptively strong post player who defends really well. Jonah Bovee and Benecio Vasquez are good three point shooters. Spencer Fedewa is a good perimeter defender and ball handler who can slash to the basket.

I was able to see the whole JV game. The first half was quite close; Laingsburg pulled out to a 22-18 lead at halftime. In the second half the Wolfpack JVs pulled away and won by the final score of 58-37.

Jacob Bishop led the Potterville JVs with 16 points. Reid Jackson contributed 9 points and Ezariah Taylor scored 8 points. Cameron Wood and Andrew Wright each tallied 2 points.

Cameron Ballard and Elliot Wilsey each had 12 points to lead the victorious Wolfpack JV team. Jackson Audretsch joined his teammates in double figures with 11 points. Aiden Maddaloni chipped in with 8 points. Jacob Agueros put in 7 points. Austin Wright and Vance Klont each added 4 points.

It is now time to report the events of this game through the squinty eyes of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in ancient times. Many people criticized his lateral mobility, but to be fair the togas and sandals we wore for basketball in the days or yore affected a lot of players’ mobility!!

The opening tap goes out of bounds and the ball is awarded to Potterville. Eli Woodruff steals a Viking pass. Laingsburg misses a three pointer from the wing. Potterville misses a ten foot shot from the side. Ryan Bishop pulls down the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Brayden Thomas steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a fast break layup. Potterville is whistled for a traveling violation. Laingsburg misses a fourteen foot shot from the baseline and fouls on the rebound.

Potterville misses a driving layup. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the wing; Potterville fouls on the rebound. Jack Byrnes passes to Zander Woodruff, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Laingsburg the first three points of the game. Eli Woodruff steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the top of the key. Potterville misses a six foot hook shot in the lane. Zander Woodruff is fouled on a layup and makes two free throws. With 4:38 remaining in the first quarter, the score is Zander Woodruff 5 Potterville 0.

Ethan West knocks the ball away from Potterville and Zander Woodruff picks it up for Laingsburg. Da’Marion Hicks blocks a Laingsburg layup. Ty Randall draws a charging foul from the Vikings. Laingsburg misfires on a threeball from the wing. Jacob Essenberg steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Jacob Essenberg drives in and hits a layup to give Laingsburg a 7-0 lead.

Ty Randall dives for Laingsburg and causes a tieup. The Possession Arrow called in its consulting team and decided to award the ball to Laingsburg. Laingsburg misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Zander Woodruff gets the offensive rebound and passes to Jacob Essenberg, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give the Wolfpack a 10-0 lead.

Spencer Fedewa drives and hits a layup to score Potterville’s first two points. Laingsburg misses a ten foot shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Jacob Essenberg steals the ball for Laingsburg. Ryan Bishop steals the ball for Potterville. Bodies fly all over the floor as Zander Woodruff steals the ball for Laingsburg. The Bleacher Denizen wonders if he should stop taking notes so he can report this crime wave to the authorities. Zander Woodruff is oblivious to the Bleacher Denizen’s angst as he passes to Eli Woodruff, who throws in a threeball from the corner to give Laingsburg a 13-2 lead.

Ty Randall steals the ball for Laingsburg. Laingsburg misses a driving banked shot. Jacob Essenberg knocks the ball out of bounds; Potterville retains possession. Diego Vasquez passes to Jonah Bovee, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key as he is knocked down. He gets up and hits his free throw to trim the Laingsburg lead to 13-6 with 54.1 seconds to play in the first quarter.

Laingsburg holds the ball to try to take the last shot of the quarter. Jacob Essenberg passes to Brayden Thomas, who hits a three point shot from the side for Laingsburg. Potterville has no time to shoot before the first quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After one quarter, Laingsburg holds a 16-6 lead.

Potterville inbounds the ball to start the second quarter. Zander Woodruff blocks a Potterville three pointer from the corner. Laingsburg misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Potterville misses a three point shot from the corner. Laingsburg is whistled for carrying the ball. Jack Byrnes draws a charging foul from Potterville. Zander Woodruff drives and hits a reverse layup to give the Wolfpack an 18-6 lead.

Zander Woodruff steals the ball for Laingsburg and draws a foul from Potterville in the process. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the side. Potterville misses a driving layup. Jack Byrnes hits a layup for Laingsburg. Spencer Fedewa drives and hits a layup for Potterville to trim the Wolfpack lead to 20-8.

Laingsburg misses a driving layup. Potterville reciprocates and misses a driving layup. Da’Marion Hicks pulls down the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville commits an offensive foul. Double technical fouls are issued on the play; Laingsburg ends up with the ball. Laingsburg commits a double dribble violation. Spencer Fedewa passes to Abe Hanna, who hits a layup to shave the Laingsburg lead to 20-10.

Laingsburg misses a driving reverse layup. Potterville is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Vikings get the ball back. Abe Hanna corrals the inbound pass, makes a layup and is fouled. With 2:34 to go in the first half, the Laingsburg lead is down to 20-13.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. Spencer Fedewa drives and hits a layup for Potterville to trim the Laingsburg lead to five points. Eli Woodruff passes to Ethan West, who hits a layup for Laingsburg. Potterville is fouled, but misses the firs shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. With 1:22 to play in the first half, the Laingsburg lead is at 22-15.

Zander Woodruff hits a twelve foot shot from the side for Laingsburg. Potterville misses a layup. Abe Hanna steals the ball for the Vikings. Potterville is whistled for a traveling violation. Laingsburg holds the ball about 45 seconds for the last shot. Laingsburg misses a three pointer just before the buzzer. Ethan West gets the offensive rebound for Laingsburg, but there is no time to shoot before the half ends.

Laingsburg has a 24-15 lead.

Spencer Fedewa leads the Potterville scoring at halftime with 6 points and Abe Hanna has 5 points.

For Laingsburg, Zander Woodruff leads the scoring with 9 points and Jacob Essenberg has 5 points.

Laingsburg has the ball to open the third quarter. The Wolfpack misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Laingsburg gets another possession. The Woodruff connection comes throw as Zander Woodruff inbounds the ball to Eli Woodruff, who hits a layup for Laingsburg. Ryan Bishop is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to trim the Laingsburg lead to 26-16 with 7:34 to go in the third quarter.

Brayden Thomas sinks a threeball from the wing for Laingsburg. Abe Hanna passes to Da’Marion Hicks, who hits a layup for Potterville. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. Brayden Thomas steals the ball for Laingsburg and hits a fast break layup. Brayden Thomas steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Zander Woodruff hits a fast break layup to push the Laingsburg lead to 33-18.

Ty Randall knocks the ball out of bounds; Potterville retains possession. Potterville misses a layup. Da’Marion Hicks pulls down the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Eli Woodruff steals a Viking inbound pass. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. Jacob Essenberg knocks the ball away from Potterville and Zander Woodruff picks it up for Laingsburg. Zander Woodruff hits a fast break layup to give Laingsburg a 35-18 lead.

Spencer Fedewa drives and hits a layup for Potterville. Jacob Essenberg passes to Eli Woodruff, who hits a jump shot from the free throw line and is fouled. He makes his free throw to boost the Wolfpack lead to 38-20 with 4:37 to play in the third quarter.

Potterville misses a three point shot from the corner. Diego Vasquez gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Abe Hanna hits a putback for the Vikings and is fouled. He misses his free throw. With 4:15 left on the third quarter clock, Laingsburg’s lead is at 38-22.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. Jack Byrnes gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Jacob Essenberg steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Laingsburg. On the other end, Jacob Essenberg draws a charging foul from the Vikings. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. Jacob Essenberg gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Zander Woodruff passes to Jacob Essenberg, who hits a three point shot from the wing to boost the Wolfpack lead to 43-22.

Potterville misses a reverse layup. Laingsburg throws its inbound pass out of bounds. Potterville misses a driving layup. Laingsburg throws a pass out of bounds. Potterville misses a three pointer from the corner. Laingsburg misses a ten foot runner and fouls on the rebound. Potterville misses a heave at the buzzer.

Laingsburg heads into the fourth quarter with a 43-22 lead.

Potterville inbounds the ball to get the fourth quarter underway. The Vikings miss a driving layup. Da’Marion Hicks and Diego Vasquez team up to knock the ball out of bounds; Laingsburg gets the ball back. Jack Byrnes passes the ball to Ethan West, who is fouled on a layup. Ethan West hits one of his two free throws to give Laingsburg a 44-22 lead with 7:23 remaining in the game.

Jack Byrnes steals the ball for Laingsburg. The Wolfpack loses a pass out of bounds. Potterville misses a three point shot from the wing. Da’Marion Hicks works hard and causes Laingsburg to lose the rebound out of bounds. Zander Woodruff steals the ball for Laingsburg. Laingsburg misses a fast break layup. The rebound is tied up. After consulting its international committee, the Possession Arrow decrees that Laingsburg shall have the ball. Zander Woodruff hits a three point shot from the corner to extend the Wolfpack lead to 47-22.

Potterville misses a three point shot from the side. Spencer Fedewa steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Potterville. Laingsburg misses a driving banked shot. Ethan West gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Potterville gets the ball. Noah Hagerty steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Jacob Essenberg hits a two point basket for Laingsburg.

(Your aging Bleacher Denizen was slow on the notes; I’m not sure whether the shot was a layup or a jumper. My apologies to Mr. Essenberg.) Abe Hanna is fouled and hits both free throws in a one and one opportunity. With 4:46 to play in the game, Laingsburg has a 49-26 lead.

Logan Cooper knocks the ball away from Laingsburg and Ryan Bishop picks it up for Potterville. Jack Wilson blocks a Potterville fast break layup. Potterville retrieves the loose ball and is fouled on a layup. The Vikings miss two free throws. Noah Hagerty passes to Cooper Wilson for a Wolfpack layup. Jacob Essenberg nearly steals the ball for Laingsburg, but his momentum makes him step on the sideline. Braxton Robbins drives and hits a layup for Potterville. Laingsburg leads 51-28.

Laingsburg misses a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. The rebound goes out of bounds; Laingsburg gets another possession. Laingsburg misfires on a triple try from the side. Connor Hulliberger gets the offensive rebound for Laingsburg. Braxton Robbins steals the ball for Potterville. Jan Jakobi hits a three point shot from the side for Potterville. Alexander Brown banks in an eight foot shot from the side to give Laingsburg a 53-31 lead.

Potterville misses a three point shot from the side. Jacob Essenberg passes to Connor Hulliberger, who hits a layup for Laingsburg. Jacob Essenberg steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Laingsburg. Connor Hulliberger blocks a Viking layup. Laingsburg misses a driving layup. Connor Hulliberger is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws for Laingsburg. With 1:08 left in the game, Laingsburg has a 59-31 lead.

Alexander Brown gets his hand on the ball; it goes out of bounds and Laingsburg takes possession. Noah Hagerty passes to Connor Hulliberger, who hits a layup for Laingsburg. Potterville loses a pass out of bounds. Jacob Essenberg passes to Noah Hagerty, who hits a layup for Laingsburg. Potterville misses a three point shot from the top of the key at the final buzzer.

Laingsburg wins the game 63-31.

Spencer Fedewa led the Potterville scoring with 10 points. Abe Hanna chipped in with 9 points. Jonah Bovee scored 4 points. Jan Jakobi added 3 points. Da’Marion Hicks and Braxton Robbins each tossed in 2 points. Ryan Bishop had 1 point.

Zander Woodruff led Laingsburg with 16 points. Jacob Essenberg joined his teammate in double figures with 14 points. Eli Woodruff and Brayden Thomas each contributed 8 points. Connor Hulliberger added 6 points. Ethan West scored 3 points. Alexander Brown, Cooper Wilson, Noah Hagerty and Jack Byrnes each tallied 2 points.