Central Montcalm at Carson City-Crystal – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – November 29, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen’s journey takes him to Carson City, where the Carson City-Crystal Eagles will host the Hornets from Central Montcalm in a Girls’ basketball team that features some potential All-State players! (Someday, I hope to achieve the credibility to refer to my journeys as an “odyssey”, but I don’t believe that I am there yet.)

It was a nice day for the drive from Lansing to Carson City; I had time to stop by the Middleton Diner for pork chops off their fantastic buffet! YUM!!

While we are getting ready to watch the game, maybe we can enjoy this original cynical Christmas Parody of an original Christmas Parody from my You Tube Channel!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp3FW5dhL3E

This is the first game of the season for both teams. Both coaches were really helpful with background information about their players.

Central Montcalm Coach Rob Putnam gave me this information about his players. Maia Sexton is tall and really tough in the middle. She rebounds well and is a formidable barrier on the inside against opposing offenses. On offense, she catches the ball well and knows how to use her size to free herself for layup after layup. Emily Putnam is a dependable ball handler with a great three point shot.

Zoey Bacon is a solid ball handler who runs the point; on the defensive end, she is quick, determined and formidable. Lauren Alexander is a threat from the three point line and plays strong defense. Kendal Stout is a versatile player who can defend or score inside or out. Marta Morillo Teresa is a clever ball handler who is really fast and creative with the ball. She penetrates opposing defenses well.

Karlie Bacon is an aggressive defender and slasher to the basket. She has a good midrange shot as well. Lily Bohen has a fantastic motor and never tires as she plays aggressive defense. Kyla McKeown and Erin Minikey are interior players who defend and rebound well.

Carson City-Crystal (Hereafter referred to as CCC most of the time to save wear and tear on your Bleacher Denizen’s aging fingers) Coach Tim Stout was also generous with information about his Eagle players. They are led, especially on offense, by two high-scoring guards who are each a threat to score 20 points on any night.

Kennedi Stout runs the point and is much stronger than most of her opponents. She handles the ball well, passes well, runs the offense and can score either on drives to the basket (where her strength overwhelms many opponents) or from the three point line. Aubrey Hessbrook is also a fine ball handler who can either get to the basket to score or shoot from the outside.

Arija Adkins is a good three point shooter who defends well either on the perimeter or near the basket. Maricia TenHave is a tough perimeter defender who can shoot well from the three point line. Ella Hagerman is a fine interior defender who can also shoot the threeball. Jenna Berry and Addison Bolen are athletic interior defenders who rebound well. Addison Bolen gives CCC another threat from the three point line.

I saw the JV game as well. Central Montcalm took a 15-7 halftime lead and ran away in the second half to a 46-12 victory.

Haedee Clark led the Eagle JVs with 5 points. Macy Meehan scored 3 points; Elisha Gonzales and Jelynn Staff each added 2 points.

Jordan Peterson led the victorious Hornet JVs with 15 points. Braelyn Bunting added 11 points. Sofia Zamora pitched in with 7 points. Celina Eldridge and Julianna James each tossed in 4 points. Izlee Hopkins and Presley Barnett each scored 2 points. Mikaylah Sowles tallied 1 point.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the prism of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in high school. His downfall came when he misinterpreted the coach and thought that “matador defense” was a good thing. (The coach was especially dismayed when I would yell, “OLE!” as the offensive player zipped past me.)

I realize I may be dating myself, but those of you who are too young to remember your Bleacher Denizen’s hey day can Google “Matador Defense”. (It’s basically waving at the ball with your hands when someone goes by instead of properly defending by moving your feet.)

Now that we have had our dubious basketball history lesson, we can get on with the game!!!

Central Montcalm wins the opening tap. Maia Sexton hits a layup to give the Hornets the first two points of the game. CCC loses a pass out of bounds. Central Montcalm misses a layup. CCC misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity.

CCC misses a three point shot from the corner. Arija Adkins pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. CCC misses another threeball from the corner. Central Montcalm misses a three pointer from the wing. Kennedi Stout drives to the basket and hits a layup; she is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 5:36 remaining in the third quarter, the game is tied at 2-2.

Central Montcalm loses a pass out of bounds. Maia Sexton blocks a CCC layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and CCC gets the ball back. Aubrey Hessbrook launches and hits a threeball from the wing to give CCC a 5-2 lead.

Central Montcalm responds as Emily Putnam passes to Maia Sexton for a layup. CCC misses a three point shot from the side. Maia Sexton hits a putback for Central Montcalm; the score is now Maia Sexton 6 CCC 5.

CCC misses a three point shot from the wing. Kennedi Stout snares the offensive rebound for the Eagles. CCC misses a jump shot. Central Montcalm’s Kendal Stout hits a ten footer off the dribble from the baseline for the Hornets. Emily Putnam steals the ball for Central Montcalm. She passes the ball to Kendal Stout, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to give Central Montcalm a 9-5 lead with 2:40 to play in the first quarter.

Zoey Bacon pulls down the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Central Montcalm misses a layup. Kendal Stout gets the offensive rebound for Central Montcalm; the Hornets miss a three point shot from the side. CCC misses a three pointer from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Central Montcalm gets the ball. Marta Morillo Teresa drives the lane and is fouled on a ten foot shot. (Her ball handling is EVERYTHING Coach Putnam said it would be!) She hits one of her two free throws to give Central Montcalm a 10-5 lead with 1:25 to play in the quarter.

Lily Bohen steals the ball for the Hornets. Central Montcalm turns the ball over. Marta Morillo Teresa steals the ball for the Hornets. Central Montcalm misses a fast break layup. CCC misses a layup. Jenna Berry hits a putback at the buzzer.

After one quarter, Central Montcalm has a 10-7 lead.

CCC inbounds the ball to get the second quarter underway. The Eagles lose a pass out of bounds. Central Montcalm bounces a pass out of bounds. Marta Morillo Teresa steals the ball for Central Montcalm and is fouled on a layup. She hits one of her two free throws to give her Hornets an 11-7 lead with 7:44 to play in the first half.

Lily Bohen gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Emily Putnam hits a twelve footer in the lane for the Hornets. CCC is whistled for a double dribble violation. Central Montcalm misses a three point shot from the corner. CCC misfires on a triple try from the wing. Central Montcalm misses a reverse layup. Zoey Bacon steals the ball for the Hornets. Central Montcalm misses a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. Aubrey Hessbrook hits a fast break layup for CCC to trim the lead to 13-9.

Central Montcalm misses a fifteen footer from the baseline. Emily Putnam pulls down the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Central Montcalm misses a short jump shot and the rebound ends up wedged between the rim and the backboard. Your Bleacher Denizen is willing to leap through the sky to pull the ball down, but will the powers that be even ask him??? They take one look at my pudgy body and gray hair and totally dismiss the possibility. They hit the ball with another basketball and resume play. (Alas, I just wanted to feel NEEDED!!!)

The Possession Arrow involves itself and awards the ball to Central Montcalm. Lily Bohen passes to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both her free throws. Emily Putnam snares the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Central Montcalm misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. CCC is fouled on a layup, but misses both free throws. Central Montcalm travels with the ball. (I suppose traveling without the ball would not be terribly newsworthy.) Aubrey Hessbrook passes to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both her free throws. With 5:33 to play in the first half, the Central Montcalm lead remains at 13-9.

CCC gets the offensive rebound, but misses a three point shot from the wing. Central Montcalm passes the ball into the middle, but loses it out of bounds. CCC misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Aubrey Hessbrook taps the offensive rebound to an Eagle teammate. Kennedi Stout hits a layup to trim the Central Montcalm lead to 13-11.

Central Montcalm misses a layup. Arija Adkins saves a bad pass to prevent an Eagle turnover. CCC misses a three point shot from the wing. Central Montcalm is whistled for a traveling violation. CCC misses a three point shot from the side. Central Montcalm misses a three point shot from the wing. Aubrey Hessbrook is fouled on a runner in the lane and sinks two free throws for CCC to tie the game at 13-13 with 2:22 to play in the half.

Kennedi Stout knocks the ball away from Central Montcalm and Arija Adkins grabs it for CCC. Kennedi Stout is fouled on a shot and hits one of her two free throws to give her Eagles the lead. Zoey Bacon passes to Emily Putnam, who hits a three point shot from the side to give the lead to the Hornets. Emily Putnam plays defense, too as she knocks the ball away from CCC; Kennedi Stout alertly gets to the backcourt to save the ball and the Eagle possession. Kennedi Stout is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to tie the game at 16-16 with 1:17 to play in the first half.

Aubrey Hessbrook steals a Hornet bounce pass in the lane. CCC misses a driving layup. Central Montcalm misses a layup. Kendal Stout gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Kendall Stout hits a two point jumper to give Central Montcalm a two point lead. CCC misses a layup. Central Montcalm misses a half court heave at the buzzer.

Central Montcalm takes an 18-16 lead to the locker room at halftime. If normal basketball traditions are upheld, they will also have an 18-16 lead when the third quarter starts.

Aubrey Hessbrook and Kennedi Stout each have 7 points to lead the CCC scoring at halftime. For Central Montcalm, Maia Sexton has 6 points; Emily Putnam and Kendal Stout each have 5 points.

While we wait for the game to resume at the start of the third quarter, I hope you will enjoy this Christmas tune from my You Tube Channel!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15alGV17hKI

As we get ready for the third quarter, your Bleacher Denizen glances at the scoreboard and is proud to tell you that Central Montcalm still leads 18-16, just as he predicted!!

CCC inbounds the ball to start the second half. Kennedi Stout launches and hits a three pointer from the corner to give the Eagles a one point lead. Central Montcalm misses a three point shot from the wing. CCC misses a driving layup. Maia Sexton hits a layup to give Central Montcalm a 19-18 lead.

Kendal Stout steals the ball for the Hornets. Central Montcalm misses a layup. Lauren Alexander passes to Emily Putnam, who drains a threeball from the corner for Central Montcalm. Emily Putnam again follows great offense with great defense as sh gets her hand on a pass and the Eagles lose the ball out of bounds. Arija Adkins plays tough defense and forces the Hornets into a traveling violation. Kennedi Stout is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Hornet lead to 23-20 with 5:31 to play in the third quarter.

Lily Bohen passes to Emily Putnam, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Central Montcalm to extend the Hornet lead to six points. Central Montcalm plays great defense and forces a turnover when CCC cannot inbound the ball in the required five seconds. Arija Adkins turns things around when her fine defense forces a Hornet double dribble violation. Kennedi Stout drives and hits a layup for CCC to trim the Central Montcalm lead to 26-22.

Central Montcalm misses a three point attempt from the side. CCC is fouled on a runner, but misses two free throws. Central Montcalm misfires on a triple try from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles take possession. CCC commits an offensive foul. Kendal Stout passes to Maia Sexton, who hits a layup to push the Central Montcalm lead to 28-22.

Lily Bohen steals the ball for Central Montcalm. Addison Bolen steals the ball back for CCC. Maia Sexton continues this on-court crime wave with a steal in the lane! (Do the powers that be know what is happening here???) Kendal Stout ignores the Bleacher Denizen’s apprehension and passes to Maia Sexton, who hits a layup to boost the Central Montcalm lead to 30-22.

Lily Bohen steals the ball for Central Montcalm. The Hornets lose a pass out of bounds on their fast break. Kennedi Stout makes a nice hesitation move and bursts to the basket for an Eagle layup. Emily Putnam passes to Marta Morillo Teresa, who makes one of her patented dribble moves and hits a layup for Central Montcalm. CCC misses a layup as the third quarter comes to an end.

After three quarters, Central Montcalm has a 32-24 lead.

Central Montcalm has the ball to start the fourth quarter, but quickly commits a traveling violation. CCC misses a three point shot from the side. Central Montcalm misses a driving layup. CCC is fouled handling the ball, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Central Montcalm is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. CCC misfires on a threeball from the corner. Central Montcalm misses a layup. Kennedi Stout is fouled and hits two free throws to shave the Central Montcalm lead to 32-26 with 5:38 left in the game.

Maia Sexton hits a putback for Central Montcalm and is fouled. She misses her free throw. CCC misses a three point shot from the corner. Maricia TenHave fights for the rebound and ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow salutes her hustle and awards the ball to CCC. Kennedi Stout is fouled driving to the basket and hits two free throws. With 4:35 to go, Central Montcalm has a 34-28 lead.

Zoey Bacon passes to Maia Sexton, who hits a layup for Central Montcalm. CCC misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Kennedi Stout knocks a Hornet pass into the lane out of bounds to prevent a probable layup. Central Montcalm is called for traveling. Kennedi Stout drives in and hits a layup to cut the Central Montcalm lead to 36-30.

Maricia TenHave nearly steals the ball for the Eagles, but the Hornets recover and call time out to preserve their possession. Kendal Stout passes to Maia Sexton for a Hornet layup. On the other end, Maia Sexton blocks an Eagle layup. Central Montcalm loses a pass out of bounds. Kennedi Stout drives in and hits a left-handed layup for CCC. Kennedi Stout steals a pass and dashes in for a fast break layup that shaves the Central Montcalm lead to 38-34.

Kendal Stout drives in and hits a layup for the Hornets; she is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. CCC misses a driving layup. Maricia TenHave steals the ball for the Eagles. Lily Bohen and Zoey Bacon double CCC and steal the ball for Central Montcalm. Zoey Bacon is intentionally fouled and hits one of her two free throws to extend the Central Montcalm lead to 41-34 with 19.3 seconds remaining.

Because the foul was ruled to be intentional, Central Montcalm inbounds the ball. Emily Putnam is fouled and hits two free throws for Central Montcalm. CCC misses a three point shot from the top of the key at the buzzer.

Central Montcalm wins its season opener by the score of 43-34.

Kennedi Stout led the CCC scoring with 25 points. Aubrey Hessbrook scored 7 points and Jenna Berry tallied 2 points.

Maia Sexton led Central Montcalm with 18 points. Emily Putnam joined her teammate in double figures with 13 points. Kendal Stout added 7 points. Marta Morillo Teresa had 4 points. Zoey Brown tallied 1 point.