Portland St. Patrick at Lansing Christian – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – November 28, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

Well, after doing my alma mater’s football game Saturday, I guess it’s time for the basketball season to rise like the Phoenix from the ashes. (Well, maybe not exactly, the Phoenix only comes every 500 years and I somehow recall doing basketball games as recently as last March.) But basketball is starting tonight, so I’m off to Lansing Christian School where the Pilgrims will host the Shamrocks from Portland St. Patrick.

As the start of the basketball season coincides with the start of the Christmas season, and because two Christian schools are competing, let’s listen to my version of “Little Drummer Boy” from my You Tube Channel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWFryViWd20

Both teams are coming off fine seasons (St. Patrick only lost one game the entire season) and are also replacing some excellent graduated players.

Coach Al Schrauben, who has won seven state championships as St. Patrick’s coach over the years, gave me some information about his players. Four of St. Patrick’s starters graduated, but Natalee Teachworth, Addy Scheurer, Rylee Scheurer and Laynie Meredith all played big roles on that successful team. Laynie Meredith, a super quick defensive demon who can also score is injured and cannot play tonight.

Natalee Teachworth is a great athlete who jumps extremely well and quickly. She is a fierce force scoring, rebounding and defending inside. Rylee Scheurer is tall, quick and athletic. She is tough on defense anywhere on the floor and can get to the basket. She is also a threat from the three point line.

Addy Scheurer is a quick and skilled guard who has an excellent three point shot. Like all the Shamrock players, she is a fierce defender who gives everything she has on that end of the floor. Tori Sandborn is a good shooter who has a fine basketball mind. Sophia Schrauben is a quick player who jumps really well and is a big asset to the Shamrock defense.

As the varsity roster only has seven players, many of the JV players will be called on to contribute minutes to the varsity. Isabella Russman, a sophomore is a tough defender inside who is a tough competitor in general. Mattie Honsowitz also helps inside while eighth grader Gracelyn Rockey is a confident player who defends with great intensity and seems to be around the ball a lot.

Christian Coach Jason Salsbury lost some talent to graduation as well. Audra Usiak is an experienced point guard who handles the ball well and is a great perimeter defender. Grace Sullivan is a threat to hit three point shots or slash to the basket. Lydia Brogan is a fierce perimeter defender while Anna Meyer defends and rebounds well in the post.

Thanks to Coaches Schrauben and Salsbury for their help getting the Bleacher Denizen basketball season off to a (hopefully) good start!

St. Patrick rolled to a 50-6 win in the JV game.

Rylie Wayner led the Pilgrims with 3 points; Alyssa Shank added 2 points and Molly Mitchell had 1 point.

Mattie Honsowitz led the Shamrock JVs with 14 points. Lily Sandborn joined her teammate in double figures with 11 points. Megan Myers and Isabella Russman each added 7 points. Macie Smith put in 6 points. Naomi Hass had 3 points and Gracelyn Rockey scored 2.

It is now time to open the basketball game by reviewing this game from the perspective of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was not able to escape church league when he attempted to play. Alas, because making turnovers was a good thing when he worked in a bakery, he assumed that making turnovers would also work well in basketball. Alas, his coach had other ideas about turnovers.

The ball slipped out of the official’s hand on the opening tap of the season, so it has to be redone. St. Patrick wins the tap. Addy Scheurer passes to Natalee Teachworth, who hits a layup to score the first Shamrock points of the season. Addy Scheurer and Natalee Teachworth double team a Pilgrim ball handler and cause a traveling violation. Tori Sandborn passes to Rylee Scheurer, who hits a layup to giver St. Patrick a 4-0 lead.

Christian misses a jumper from the free throw elbow. Avery Wayner snags the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misfires on a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian gets another opportunity. Sophia Hazelton banks in a three pointer from the wing to trim the Shamrock lead to 4-3.

St. Patrick (a player on the team, not the Saint, himself) misses a twelve footer from the baseline. Natalee Teachworth is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to boost St. Patrick to a 5-3 lead with 6:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Natalee Teachworth blocks a Pilgrim shot, but Christian recovers the ball. Rylee Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a three point attempt from the top of the key. Natalee Teachworth dives to the floor to steal the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misfires on a three pointer from the wing. Audra Usiak hits a layup for Christian to tie the game at 5-5.

St. Patrick misses a fifteen foot attempt from the side. Tori Sandborn’s tough defense causes a Christian traveling violation. St. Patrick misses a layup, but Natalee Teachworth puts the ball back through the hoop to give the Shamrocks the lead at 7-5.

Christian bounces a pass through the lane and out of bounds. Anna Mayer tips the ball away from the Shamrocks and creates a held ball. The Possession Arrow is caught watching Tik Tok videos and misses the play; the ball is awarded to St. Patrick. (One wonders why we cede so much power to an electronic blip thing.)

St. Patrick misses a layup. Natalee Teachworth grabs the offensive rebound. St. Patrick misses a layup. Gracelyn Rockey gets the offensive rebound. St. Patrick misses another layup. Christian reciprocates and misses a fast break layup. Sophie Hazelton is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Shamrock lead to 7-6 with 3:34 to play in the first quarter.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. Gracelyn Rockey tips a pass out of bounds to prevent a probable Pilgrim layup. Christian gets the ball back. Anna Meyer hits the floor to prevent a Christian turnover. Grace Sullivan inbounds the ball to Audra Usiak, who banks in a twelve foot shot to give Christian an 8-7 lead.

St. Patrick misses a jump shot. Christian misses a jump shot. Ashlyn Kephart steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Grace Sullivan is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws for the Pilgrims. Sophie Hazelton harasses a Shamrock ball handler and they lose the ball out of bounds. Hannah Weller gets her hand on the ball and it goes out of bounds; Christian retains possession. Audra Usiak passes to Ashlyn Kephart, who hits a layup to give the Pilgrims a 12-7 lead.

St. Patrick misses a jump shot. Tori Sandborn gets the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. The Shamrocks miss a a layup. Mattie Honsowitz hits a putback for St. Patrick. Gracelyn Rockey steals a Pilgrim pass. St. Patrick misses a layup. Natalee Teachworth gets the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a layup. Gracelyn Rockey ties up the ball; the Possession Arrow thinks about it and decrees that Christian shall have the ball.

Tori Sandborn steals the ball for the Shamrocks. The Shamrocks miss a fast break layup. Addy Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks. The Shamrocks show some beautiful passing on their fast break. Hannah Weller passes to Tori Sandborn, who quickly and smoothly relays the ball to Gracelyn Rockey, who hits a layup to trim the Pilgrim lead to 12-11.

Christian misses a ten foot shot in the lane. St. Patrick misses a layup. Rylee Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks, but they commit an offensive foul. Addy Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks just before the first quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After one quarter, Lansing Christian has a 12-11 lead.

St. Patrick has the ball to open the second quarter. Anna Meyer knocks the ball away from St. Patrick, but the Shamrocks recover. St. Patrick misses a jump shot. Gracelyn Rockey, an eighth grader, fights for the rebound and pulls it away from the older girls. St. Patrick misses a layup. The Shamrocks are fouled on a layup and miss two free throws. Grace Sullivan passes to Lydia Brogan, who spins and hits a layup to push the Pilgrim lead to 14-11.

Gracelyn Rockey hits a layup for St. Patrick. Gracelyn Rockey steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. Christian commits an offensive foul. Isabella Russman is fouled and hits two free throws to give St. Patrick a 15-14 lead with 6:13 left on the first half clock.

Rylee Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses the first free throw. The second free throw goes in, but is disallowed because of a lane violation. Christian is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Rylee Scheurer passes to Isabella Russman, who hits a layup for St. Patrick. Christian turns the ball over. Addy Scheurer passes to a teammate, who is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 5:12 to play in the first half, the Shamrock lead remains at 17-14.

Christian misses a three point shot from the corner. Grace Sullivan snags the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a shot. Lydia Brogan hustles into the backcourt to secure the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a fifteen footer from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get another opportunity. Christian misses a five foot driving banked shot. Avery Wayner is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Shamrock lead to 17-15 with 4:14 to go in the first half.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. Lydia Brogan passes to Grace Sullivan, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side to tie the game. Rylee Scheurer hits a layup to retake the lead for St. Patrick. Avery Wayner is fouled and hits both shots of a one and one free throw opportunity to tie the game at 19-19 with 3:34 left in the half.

Natalee Teachworth alertly saves a pass to prevent a Shamrock turnover. Isabella Russman hits a layup to give St. Patrick the lead. Audra Usiak passes to Sophie Hazelton, who hits an eight foot shot from the game to tie it back up. Sophia Schrauben passes to Addy Scheurer, who hits a shot from the wing with her foot on the three point line to give St. Patrick a 23-21 lead.

Christian misses a layup. The Shamrocks commit an offensive foul. Hannah Weller tips the ball away from the Pilgrims, but Christian recovers and Sophie Hazelton hits a layup to tie the game at 23-23.

St. Patrick misfires on a three pointer from the wing, but Mattie Honsowitz hits a putback to give the lead back to the Shamrocks. Christian misses a three point attempt from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get another opportunity. Mattie Honsowitz gets her hand on the ball and forces a Christian turnover. St. Patrick misses an up and under layup. The rebound is tied up; the Possession Arrow decides that the ball belongs to St. Patrick.

The Shamrocks commit an offensive foul. Christian commits an over and back violation. St. Patrick misses a layup. Mattie Honsowitz is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to boost the Shamrocks to a 27-23 lead with 6.7 seconds to play in the half.

Christian loses a pass out of bounds at the buzzer. St. Patrick takes a 27-23 lead into the locker room at halftime. If usual basketball conventions are followed, St. Patrick will also have a 27-23 lead when the game resumes at the start of the third quarter.

Sophie Hazelton leads the Christian scoring at halftime with 6 points and Avery Wayner has 5 points. Isabella Russman and Mattie Honsowitz each have 6 points for St. Patrick and Natalee Teachworth has 5 points.

For something a bit different at halftime, let’s listen to “O Come All Ye Faithful” in German. This is also from my You Tube Channel.

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

Now that we have had our German lesson, it is time to get back to the game!

Christian has the ball to open the third quarter. Addy Scheurer knocks a pass out of bounds, but the Pilgrims get the ball back. Sophia Schrauben knocks a Christian pass out of bounds; the Pilgrims again retain possession. Christian misses a jump shot from the side. Sophia Schrauben hits a jump shot from the side for St. Patrick. Christian misses a fifteen footer from the baseline. Gracelyn Rockey passes to Natalee Teachworth, who hits a layup to boost St. Patrick to a 31-23 lead.

A Christian cross court pass goes out of bounds. Lydia Brogan knocks the ball away from St. Patrick and Audra Usiak picks it up for Christian. Christian misses a fast break layup. Rylee Scheurer is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws to push St. Patrick to a 32-23 lead with 5:57 to go in the third quarter.

Christian misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get another opportunity. Christian misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Tori Sandborn drivers and dishes the ball to Natalee Teachworth, who hits a layup to give St. Patrick a 34-23 lead.

Christian misfires on a threeball from the side. Maddie Crawford fights and ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow loves her hustle and awards the ball to Christian. Gracelyn Rockey knocks the ball away from Christian and Natalee Teachworth picks it up for St. Patrick. Rylee Scheurer is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to give St. Patrick a 35-23 lead with 4:43 remaining in the third quarter.

Tori Sandborn steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Hannah Weller knocks a pass out of bounds; Christian retains possession. Tori Sandborn knocks another Pilgrim pass out of bounds; again, Christian retains possession. Christian misses a ten foot shot from the side. Tori Sandborn passes to Natalie Teachworth, who spins and hits a layup for St. Patrick. Christian misses a three point shot from the corner. St. Patrick is assessed with a traveling violation. Christian misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Tori Sandborn passes to Natalee Teachworth, who hits a layup to boost St. Patrick to a 39-23 lead.

Christian misses a shot. Grace Sullivan gets the offensive rebound. Christian misses a layup. Sophie Hazelton gets an offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian turns the ball over. St. Patrick is fouled, but misses two free throws. Gracelyn Rockey snares the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a shot.

Gracelyn Rockey steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Sophie Hazelton draws a charging foul from the Shamrocks. Gracelyn Rockey’s tough defense causes Christian to throw a pass out of bounds. The Shamrocks commit an offensive foul. Christian loses a pass out of bounds. St. Patrick misfires on a triple try from the wing. Audra Usiak is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws to trim the St. Patrick lead to 39-24 with 1:09 to go in the third quarter.

The rebound goes out of bounds and St. Patrick gets the ball. The Shamrocks miss a driving layup. Gracelyn Rockey gets her hand on a pass, but Christian is able to recover and Sophie Hazelton hits a layup for the Pilgrims to further trim the Shamrock lead to 39-26.

Grace Sullivan steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Gracelyn Rockey steals the ball back for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a fast break layup. Hannah Weller hits a putback for the Shamrocks and is fouled. Her made free throw gives St. Patrick a 42-26 lead with about 30 seconds left in the quarter. (Your aging Bleacher Denizen forgot to write down the exact time. First game jitters??)

Christian throws a pass out of bounds with 4 seconds left. St. Patrick is not able to shoot before the third quarter buzzer sounds.

After three quarters, Portland St. Patrick has a 42-26 lead.

St. Patrick opens the fourth quarter with the ball. Grace Sullivan dives to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow salutes her hustle and energy by awarding the ball to Christian. Addy Scheurer blocks a Christian shot; Audra Usiak recovers the ball for the Pilgrims. There is a held ball and the Possession Arrow grants the ball to St. Patrick. The Shamrocks miss a layup. Addy Scheurer gets the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. Sophia Schrauben passes to a teammate who is fouled on a short bank shot, but misses both free throws. With 7:10 remaining in the contest, the Shamrock lead remains at 42-26.

Mattie Honsowitz blocks a Pilgrim shot. Audra Usiak steals the ball from St. Patrick. Christian is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Sophie Hazelton blocks a Shamrock layup. Mattie Honsowitz steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a layup. Riley Scheurer pulls down the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a layup. Gracelyn Rockey steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Tori Sandborn passes to Addy Scheurer, who swishes a three pointer from the top of the key to push the Shamrock lead to 45-26.

Christian misses a layup. Avery Wayner knocks the ball away from St. Patrick and Audra Usiak picks it up for Christian. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Tori Sandborn passes to Sophia Schrauben for a layup that boosts St. Patrick to a 47-26 lead.

Christian loses a pass out of bounds. St. Patrick misfires on a three point shot from the side. Christian misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Audra Usiak knocks a pass out of bounds; Christian gets the ball. Lydia Brogan hits a putback for the Pilgrims to trim the Shamrock lead to 47-28.

St. Patrick loses a pass out of bounds. Isabella Russman ties up the ball; the Possession Arrow haughtily ignores her fine hustle and awards the ball to Christian. Isabella Russman is not fazed. She ties the ball up again and this time the ball is awarded to St. Patrick. Isabella Russman continues her fine play by passing to Natalie Teachworth for a Shamrock layup. Audra Usiak is fouled and hits both free throws in a one and one opportunity to trim the Shamrock lead to 49-30 with 2:31 left on the clock.

St. Patrick turns the ball over. Christian is fouled, but misses the first shot in a one and one free throw opportunity. The rebound is tied up and the Possession Arrow says that the ball belongs to Christian. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the corner. Lydia Brogan is fouled on a fast break layup. With 1:50 remaining in the contest, Lydia Brogan is fouled and hits two free throws to trim the St. Patrick lead to 49-32.

Gracelyn Rockey passes the ball to a Shamrock teammate who is fouled, but misses both her free throws. Isabella Russman gets the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the corner. Megan Myers dives and ties up the ball for St. Patrick, but the Possession Arrow gives the ball to Christian.

Christian loses a pass out of bounds. Megan Myers is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for St. Patrick. Lily Sandborn steals the ball for St. Patrick. Gracelyn Rockey hits a layup for St. Patrick. A Christian dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. Christian misses a three point shot at the buzzer.

St. Patrick wins the first game of its season by a 52-32 score.

Sophie Hazelton led the Lansing Christian scoring with 8 points. Audra Usiak supported her with 7 points. Lydia Brogan added 6 points and Avery Wayner chipped in with 5 points. Grace Sullivan put in 4 points and Ashlyn Kephart tallied 2 points.

Natalee Teachworth led the Portland St. Patrick scoring with 15 points. Rylee Scheurer added 6 points. Isabella Russman, Gracelyn Rockey and Mattie Honsowitz each had 6 points even though they also played in the JV game. (All this depth has to mean some good things for St. Patrick’s team!) Addy Scheurer scored 5 points.

Sophia Schrauben contributed 4 points and Hannah Weller had 3 points. Megan Myers tallied 1 point.