Leslie at Laingsburg – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 9, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen is making a trip to Laingsburg to watch the Wolfpack girls as they host the Blackhawks from Leslie. Laingsburg enters the game with a 5-3 record, while Leslie is at 4-5.

While we wait for this game to start, why don’t we listen to a bit of Western style piano from my You Tube Channel. (I’ll admit that I’m copying Floyd Cramer somewhat shamelessly, but hopefully I do it well!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAyGsC_FuNo

Wolfpack Coach Doug Hurst provided me with some information about his players!

Ellie Baynes is a versatile player who plays either the forward or guard position. She shoots well from the outside and can also drive to the basket. She also helps handle the ball when the other team presses. She leads the Wolfpack in scoring and rebounding. Ella Merrell shoots well from the outside and is a threat to drive to the basket.

Bella Strieff if a fine rebounder who shoots the midrange jumper well. Ashlee Hawes and Callie Clark are solid outside shooters. Kyleigh Luna brings quickness, speed and a nice outside shot to the Wolfpack. Mallory Woodbury is a freshman who shoots and drives well. Evelyn Logghe is speedy sophomore for the Wolfpack. Harper Strouse is a fifth quarter freshman who always plays hard when she gets an opportunity.

Blackhawk Coach Justin Houghton provided me with this information about his players.

Ella Locke is a fine perimeter defender who is a got three point shooter. Reece DeRose runs the point for the Blackhawks. She has an excellent basketball IQ and is a fine ball handler, passer and perimeter defender. Rylie Burley slashes to the basket well and is a tough perimeter defender. Lily Smieska has excellent court vision and slashes to the basket well. She is a strong defender on the perimeter or in the post where she is also a fine rebounder. Alayna Brown is a tall player who shoots threes and passes well.

Elexcia Rice brings a lot of hustle and energy to the Blackhawks. She is also a solid rebounder. Sophia Cowing has a fine three point shot. Samantha Snider is a hard-working center who defends and rebounds well in the post.

It is now time to look at the events of this game through the aging eye sockets of a Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. Athletic Directors and Coaches were equally appalled at the way his frequent bricks tore apart the peach baskets we shot at back in the day.

I’d like to give a shutout to former Wolfpack four year varsity player Kara Mahoney, who is now coaching the JV team! She was quite a player in her day!!

I was able to catch most of the JV game. It was close at halftime with Leslie holding an 11-10 lead. Laingsburg managed to tie the game at 16-16 midway through the third quarter, but Leslie scored the last basket of the quarter and owned an 18-16 lead going into the final period. In the fourth quarter, Leslie scored 14 points while holding Laingsburg’s JVs scoreless. Leslie won 32-16.

Alaina Asher led the Wolfpack JV with 6 points. Harper Strouse and Bella Latuszek each added 4 points and Samantha Knoblauch tallied 2 points.

Hailey Creisher led the Blackhawk JVs with 12 points. Gabriella Velasquez supported her teammate with 6 points. Sahara Burley scored 5 points. Sophia Beegle added 4 points. Leila Messner put in 3 points. Haizy Haindel and Alexis Soderberg each tallied 1 point.

Laingsburg wins the opening tap. Ellie Baynes passes to Bella Strieff, who hits a layup to give the Wolfpack the first two points of the game. Leslie misses a three point shot from the wing. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the top of the key. Callie Clark taps the ball away from Leslie, but the Blackhawks are able to recover. Lily Smieska drives and hits a layup for Leslie to tie the game at 2-2.

Laingsburg misses a layup. Rylie Burley passes to Reece DeRose, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give the lead to Leslie. Laingsburg throws a pass out of bounds. Leslie misses a three point shot from the corner and fouls on the rebound. Lily Smieska steals the ball for the Blackhawks. Ellie Baynes steals the ball for Laingsburg and hits a layup. Alayna Brown is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to give her Blackhawks a 6-4 lead with 4:19 remaining in the first quarter.

Laingsburg misses an eighteen footer near the top of the key. Ellie Baynes blocks a Blackhawk layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Laingsburg takes possession. Ellie Baynes drives and hits a layup for Laingsburg to tie the score at 6-6.

Leslie is whistled for a traveling violation. Reece DeRose steals the ball for the Blackhawks and passes to Alayna Brown, who hits a layup to give Leslie the lead. Lily Smieska steals the ball for Leslie. Reece DeRose hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line for Leslie. Ellie Baynes passes to Callie Clark, who hits a layup for Laingsburg to shave the Leslie lead to 10-8.

Ella Merrell steals the ball for Laingsburg. Ella Locke steals the ball for the Blackhawks. Leslie misfires on a threeball from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Blackhawks get another opportunity. Ellie Baynes blocks a Blackhawk layup. Rylie Burley steals the ball for the Blackhawks. Leslie misses a layup. Rylie Burley gets the offensive rebound for Leslie. The Blackhawks are assessed with a three seconds (in the lane) violation. Lily Smieska steals the ball for Leslie. Alayna Brown drives and hits a layup for the Blackhawks and Leslie has a 12-8 lead. Laingsburg misses a layup.

Rylie Burley is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws with just 6.7 seconds to play in the first quarter. Reece DeRose knocks a Wolfpack pass out of bounds; Laingsburg retains possession. Ella Locke forces a Wolfpack double dribble violation. The Blackhawks misfire on a triple try from the wing as the first quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After one quarter, Leslie has a 13-8 lead.

Leslie inbounds the ball to start out the second quarter. Rylie Burley is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws for Leslie. Ella Locke knocks the ball away from Laingsburg and after the ball is batted around a bit, Reece DeRose grabs it for Leslie. Ella Locke passes to Lily Smieska, who hits a layup for the Blackhawks. Laingsburg is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws. With 6:45 to play in the second quarter, Leslie holds a 16-8 lead.

Leslie loses a pass out of bounds. Alayna Brown steals the ball for the Blackhawks and hits a fast break layup. Samantha Snider steals the ball for Leslie and passes to Reece DeRose for a fast break layup. Laingsburg misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Leslie takes possession. Bella Strieff steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg turns the ball over. Reece DeRose passes to Lily Smieska, who hits a layup for Leslie to giver her Blackhawks a 22-8 lead.

Laingsburg misses a fourteen foot shot from the side of the lane. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Wolfpack gets another opportunity. Laingsburg is assessed with a traveling violation. Rylie Burley hits a fast break layup for Leslie. Rylie Burley steals the ball for the Blackhawks. Ella Merrell knocks the ball away from a Blackhawk driver to foil a layup; the ball goes out of bounds and Leslie gets another possession.

Leslie misses a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane. The rebound goes out of bounds and Laingsburg gets the ball. Laingsburg throws a pass too high and out of bounds. Ellie Baynes steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a fast break layup. Leslie throws the ball out of bounds on a too fast break. Alayna Brown steals the ball for Leslie. Rylie Burley drives the lane and hits a layup to push the Leslie lead to 26-8.

Ella Merrell passes to Callie Clark, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Laingsburg. Alayna Brown hits a fast break layup for Leslie. Laingsburg bounces a pass out of bounds. Mallory Woodbury ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow admires her aggressive hustle and after a consultation with its Board of Directors, the ball is given to Laingsburg. Callie Clark inbounds the ball to Ellie Baynes, who hits a three point shot from the side to trim the Leslie lead to 28-14.

Leslie throws a pass out of bounds. Laingsburg misses a layup. Bella Strieff pulls down the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack; Laingsburg misses a layup. Ellie Baynes gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the side; Leslie fouls on the rebound, so the Wolfpack gets another opportunity. Laingsburg misses a layup. Lily Smieska passes to Samantha Snider, who hits a layup to give Leslie a 30-14 lead.

Laingsburg misses an eight foot shot in the lane just before the halftime buzzer sounds.

Leslie has a 30-14 lead at halftime. I expect that the Blackhawks will have that 30-14 lead at the start of the third quarter.

Ellie Baynes has 7 points and Callie Clark has 5 points to lead Laingsburg.

Alayna Brown leads the Leslie scoring with 9 points. Reece DeRose has 7 points. Rylie Burley and Lily Smieska each have scored 6 points.

The Laingsburg fifth graders play an energetic full court game during halftime. As my readers can’t see them, maybe we can enjoy this Ragtime tune from my You Tube Channel for our halftime entertainment!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUieaBvS38w

Leslie has the ball to open the third quarter. Alayna Brown passes to Reece DeRose for a Blackhawk layup. Laingsburg drives the baseline, but misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Leslie takes possession. Ella Locke passes to Lily Smieska, who if fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to give her Blackhawks a 34-14 lead with 7:00 to play in the third quarter.

Kyleigh Luna passes to Bella Strieff, who hits a jumper in the lane for Laingsburg. Lily Smieska passes to Alayna Brown, who hits a layup for Leslie. Lily Smieska steals the ball for the Blackhawks. Reece DeRose passes to Ella Locke, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Laingsburg. Ashlee Hawes passes to Bella Strieff, who hits a layup for Laingsburg. At this point, the Blackhawk lead is at 39-18.

Leslie misses a three point shot from the side. Lily Smieska gets the offensive rebound for the Blackhawks. Leslie misses a driving eight foot banked shot and fouls on the rebound. Laingsburg misses an eight foot shot from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and Leslie takes possession. Lily Smieska drives coast to coast to hit a layup for Leslie. She is fouled on the play and hits her free throw to extend the Blackhawk lead to 42-18 with 5:12 remaining in the third quarter.

Alayna Brown blocks a Wolfpack launch from the top of the key. Laingsburg recovers the ball, but misses a jump shot. Lily Smieska is fouled on a fast break layup and hits two free throws for Leslie. Callie Clark dives to try to prevent a Wolfpack turnover. The ball is tied up, but the Possession Arrow smiles about Ms. Clark’s hustle and awards the ball to Laingsburg. Ellie Bayes passes to a teammate who is fouled on a six foot shot in the lane, but misses both her free throws. With 4:19 to go in the third quarter, Leslie has a 44-18 lead.

Callie Clark gets the offensive rebound for Laingsburg. Rylie Burley steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Leslie. Laingsburg misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Mallory Woodbury hits a putback for the Wolfpack. Ella Locke hits a layup for Leslie. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. Reece DeRose hits a fast break layup to push the Leslie lead to 50-20.

Laingsburg commits a traveling violation. Ellie Baynes dives to knock the ball out of bounds; Leslie retains possession. Bella Strieff blocks a Leslie layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and the Blackhawks get it back. Leslie misses a three point shot from the side. Laingsburg misses a driving layup. Ashlee Hawes gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg is fouled on a layup, but misses both free throws. With 1:25 remaining in the third quarter, Leslie has a 50-20 lead.

Leslie bounces a pass out of bounds. Laingsburg misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. Bella Strieff gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Bella Strieff passes to Ashlee Hawes, who hits a ten foot shot from the baseline for Laingsburg. Ellie Baynes knocks the ball out of bounds; Leslie retains possession. Bella Strieff steals the ball for Laingsburg. The Wolfpack misses a half court heave at the end of the third quarter.

Leslie enters the fourth quarter with a 50-22 lead.

Leslie inbounds the ball to get the fourth quarter underway. Alayna Brown drivers and hits a layup for the Blackhawks. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. Ella Locke and Sophia Cowing team up for Leslie to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow is quite impressed by their defensive aggression and awards the ball to Leslie. Leslie misses a six foot driving runner. Ella Locks steals a Wolfpack pass. Kyleigh Luna returns the favor and steals the ball for Laingsburg. The Wolfpack loses a fast break pass out of bounds.

Ellie Baynes knocks the Blackhawk inbound pass out of bounds. Ellie Baynes and Ashlee Hawes double team a Leslie ball handler and force a traveling violation. Ellie Baynes passes to Sophie Strieff for a Laingsburg layup. Leslie misses a jump shot. Elexcia Rice grabs the offensive rebound for the Blackhawks. Ashlee Hawes steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Ellie Baynes is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Blackhawk lead to 52-25 with 5:03 left on the game clock.

Ellie Baynes gets her hands on a Blackhawk pass and Leslie loses the ball out of bounds. Laingsburg misses a driving layup. Leslie misses a fast break layup. Alexis Soderberg blocks a Wolfpack layup; the ball goes out of bounds and the Blackhawks take possession. Callie Clark blocks a Blackhawk layup. Leslie fouls on the loose ball. Laingsburg is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. With 4:15 to play in the game, Leslie’s lead is at 52-25.

The rebound from the missed free throw goes out of bounds and Leslie takes possession. Bella Strieff blocks a Blackhawk shot, but Leslie recovers the loose ball. Rylie Burley passes to Alayna Brown, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to extend the Blackhawk lead to 54-25 with 3:42 left in the contest.

Laingsburg misfires on a triple try from the wing. Kyleigh Luna gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a layup. Samantha Snider passes to Alayna Brown, who hits a layup for Leslie. Laingsburg misses a driving eight foot hook shot from the side of the lane. Bella Strieff is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws. Bella Strieff pulls down the rebound from the missed free throw and is fouled on a putback. She hits one of her two free throws. With 2:46 to go, Leslie has a 56-27 lead.

Leslie throws a pass out of bounds. Evelyn Logghe passes to Ella Merrell, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Wolfpack. Sophia Cowing is fouled and hits one of two free throws in a one and one opportunity for Leslie. Ashlee Hawes passes to Evelyn Logghe, who hits a sixteen foot jumper from the side for Laingsburg. Kyleigh Luna knocks the ball away from Leslie and Ella Merrell picks it up for Laingsburg. Ella Merrell hits a fast break layup, is fouled and hits her free throw to cut the Leslie lead to 57-35 with 1:12 left on the clock.

Leslie is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Samantha Snider knocks the ball out of bounds; Laingsburg gets the ball back. Ella Merrell drives and hits an eight foot shot in the lane for Laingsburg. Leslie misses a fast break layup. Mallory Woodbury is fouled and hits two free throws for Laingsburg. Kyleigh Luna steals the ball and passes to Ashlee Hawes who hits a layup for Laingsburg. Leslie runs out the clock.

Leslie wins by the score of 57-41.

Bella Strieff had 10 points to lead the Laingsburg scoring. Ellie Baynes and Ella Merrell each contributed 8 points. Callie Clark scored 5 points. Ashlee Hawes and Mallory Woodbury each added 4 points. Evelyn Logghe tallied 2 points.

Alayna Brown led the victorious Blackhawks with 17 points. Lily Smieska supported her teammate with 13 points. Reece DeRose joined her teammates in double figures with 11 points. Rylie Burley tossed in 8 points. Ella Locke scored 5 points. Samantha Snider added 2 points and Sophia Cowing tallied 1 point.