Saranac at Fulton – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 18, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen’s continuing journey takes him to Fulton, where the Pirate girls will host the Red Hawks from Saranac. (Some day, I hope the Bleacher Denizen’s visits to schools might be significant enough to refer to my travels as an “odyssey.” Somehow, I’m not sure I’m there yet.)

In this video of “Red River Valley” from my You Tube Channel, I let the listeners know that you never know where the Red River Valley will lead you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03AhhNk1M8

One place it does not lead to is Fulton High School, but fortunately, M-57 does go right by it, so your Bleacher Denizen was able to come to the game.

After entertaining some seniors at a home in Lansing, your Bleacher Denizen drove up and got to the Middleton Diner to enjoy their buffet. The Middleton Diner never disappoints and tonight’s meal was another great one!

Saranac enters this game with a 0-8 record. Brenna Simmons is a strong shooter and scorer for the Red Hawks. Madeleine Hill is an intense perimeter defender. Sarah Greenfield plays excellent defense from her forward position. Jadyn Kirby has a solid three point shot. Madison Trahan is a strong rebounder and defender in the lane. Delaney Reagen shows a lot of hustle on the defensive end and can score on the fast break. Thanks to Red Hawk Coach Chance Wells, who provided me this information when I covered a Saranac game earlier this season.

Fulton Coach and Athletic Director Brandon Trefil provided me with this information about his Pirate players. Avery Walden is a fine three point shooter and ball handler who is a strong perimeter defender as well. She is also tall enough to help with rebounding and some interior defense. Jaci Canfield runs the point for the Pirates. She is a strong three point shooter as well. Kaya Canfield does a lot of the “glue” things like setting picks, rebounding and defending on the perimeter. She is also a solid three point shooter.

Sophia Akin has a nice three point shot. Olivia Leavitt is a fine passer who can also slash to the basket and score. She also has a solid three point shot. Abby Warnke is a hard worker who provides strong rebounding and post defense for the Pirates.

I was able to see most of the JV game. Fulton got out to a 7-5 first quarter lead and extended the lead to 13-10 at halftime. Fulton had a 14-11 advantage in the third quarter and entered the fourth quarter with a 27-21 lead.

Saranac’s defense stiffened in the fourth quarter as Fulton was not able to score for the first seven and a half minutes of the fourth quarter. Maycee Reed was fouled and hit both free throws in a one and one opportunity to tie the game at 27-27 with 34.5 seconds left in the game.

After Lylah Stoutjesdyk stole the ball for Saranac, Kalyn Duflo was able to force Saranac into an over and back violation. Dayten Lambert passed to Natalie Leavitt, who hit a layup with two seconds left to put Fulton on top. Dayten Lambert then stole the ball to make sure Saranac could not score.

Fulton’s JVs won by the score of 29-27.

Winnie Harder had 11 points to lead the Saranac JVs. Maycee Reed added 5 points. Gabby Vroman scored 4 points. Lylah Stoutjesdyk put in 3 points. Dani Voorheis and Maddy Vickery each tallied 2 points.

Dayten Lambert scored 18 points to lead Fulton. Natalie Leavitt contributed 5 points. Lynnae Podolak scored 3 points. Addison Warnke added 2 points and Brooklyn Kanous put in 1 point.

It is now time to look at the results of this game through the somewhat engaged eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. People criticized his jumping ability, but to be fair, very few people jumped high in the armor that was part of our basketball uniforms in ancient times.

Fulton wins the opening tap. Avery Walden passes to Kaya Canfield, who hits a layup to give Fulton the first two points of the game. Jordan Sterzick drives and hits a layup for Saranac. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 7:13 to go in the first quarter, the game is tied at 2-2.

Fulton misfires on a triple try from the corner. Saranac misses a fast break layup. Fulton commits a double dribble violation. Saranac misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Jordan Sterzick gets the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Fulton misses a driving eight foot shot in the lane. Saranac misses a three point shot from the side. Sophia Akin passes to Avery Walden, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give Fulton a 5-2 lead.

Saranac misses a three point shot from the wing. Brenna Simmons blocks a Fulton threeball from the side and grabs the loose ball for Saranac. She hits a fast break layup to trim the Fulton lead to one point. Kaya Canfield passes to Avery Walden, who launches and hits another three point shot from the side to give Fulton an 8-4 lead.

Saranac misses a three point shot from the corner. Kaya Canfield passes to Olivia Leavitt, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Fulton. Saranac misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Avery Walden dribbles and hits a jumper from the free throw line to give Fulton a 13-4 lead.

Lexi Sorah steals the ball for Fulton. Fulton loses the ball out of bounds on a fast break. Destiny Seida steals the ball for Fulton. Olivia Leavitt throws in another threeball to extend the Fulton lead to 16-4.

Brenna Simmons hits a ten footer off the dribble in the lane to stop Fulton’s scoring run at eleven points. Brenna Simmons steals the ball for Saranac. She passes the ball to Delaney Reagen, who hits a layup for the Red Hawks that cuts the Fulton lead to 16-8.

Mya Griffin nearly steals the ball for Saranac, but Fulton recovers. Jordan Sterzick steals the ball for Saranac. Sophia Akin blocks a Red Hawk layup. Saranac recovers the loose ball. The Red Hawks miss a three point shot from the top of the key. Madison Trahan secures the offensive rebound for Saranac. Saranac misses a layup. Fulton misses a fast break layup. Saranac is fouled on a jump shot, but misses two free throws with 38.2 seconds to play in the quarter.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Saranac misses a ten footer from the side of the lane. Fulton fouls on the rebound. Saranac is not able to shoot before the first quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After one quarter, Fulton has a 16-8 lead.

Saranac inbounds the ball to begin the second quarter. Delaney Reagen is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for the Red Hawks. Delaney Reagen steals the ball for Saranac. Sophia Akin ties up the ball; the Possession Arrow loves her aggressive hustle and awards the ball to Fulton. Fulton misfires on a triple try from the corner. Saranac is fouled on a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the baseline, but misses both free throws. With 7:17 to play in the first half, Fulton has a 16-9 lead.

Fulton misses a driving layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac gets the ball. Avery Walden knocks a pass out of bounds to prevent a Saranac layup. Saranac retains possession. Jaci Canfield knocks the ball away from Saranac and Abby Warnke picks it up for Fulton. Maycee Reed steals the ball for Saranac. Kaya Canfield steals the ball for Fulton. Delaney Reagen steals the ball for Fulton. (Are the school authorities aware of this on court crime wave?) Kayla Sterzick passes to Maycee Reed, who hits a layup for Saranac to cut the Fulton lead to 16-11.

Fulton misses a layup. Abby Warnke is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for Fulton. Jaci Canfield steals the ball for Fulton and is fouled. A technical foul is called on Saranac as well. Avery Walden sinks one of the two technical free throws to give Fulton an 18-11 lead with 5:44 remaining in the second quarter.

Fulton inbounds the ball after shooting the technical free throws, but throws a pass out of bounds. Brenna Simmons reacts quickly to prevent a loose ball from becoming a Red Hawk turnover. Saranac misses a twelve footer from the side. Brenna Simmons knocks the ball away from Fulton, but Destiny Seida races into the backcourt to recover the ball for Fulton. Avery Walden passes to Jaci Canfield, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to give Fulton a 20-11 lead with 4:42 to play in the quarter.

Saranac is whistled for a traveling violation. Fulton loses a pass out of bounds. Saranac misses a driving layup. Fulton is fouled, but misses the first free throw in a one and one opportunity. Saranac misses a threeball from the wing. Delaney Reagen snares the long offensive rebound for the Red Hawks.

Olivia Leavitt steals a Saranac pass. Sophia Akin passes to Kaya Canfield, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for Fulton. Brenna Simmons is fouled and hits one of two free throws in a one and one opportunity to trim the Pirate lead to 21-12 with 2:36 to go in the first half.

Jaci Canfield passes to Sophia Akin, who throws in a threeball from the top of the key for Fulton. Saranac commits an offensive foul. Fulton reciprocates and commits an offensive foul. Saranac is fouled on an eight foot shot in the lane, but misses two free throws. Fulton is whistled for a traveling violation. Saranac misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Fulton wins a mad scramble for the rebound. Jaci Canfield passes to Abby Warnke, who cans a jumper from the free throw elbow to give the Pirates a 26-12 lead.

Jaci Canfield steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton misses a fast break layup. Olivia Leavitt hustles and knocks the ball off a Saranac player and out of bounds; Fulton takes possession. Mya Griffin nearly steals the ball for Saranac, but steps on the sideline. Madeleine Hill knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Maycee Reed steals the ball for Saranac and is fouled. She hits one of her two free throws to shave the Pirate lead to 26-13 with 26.3 seconds to play in the half.

Fulton misses a driving layup. Saranac misfires on a threeball from the top of the key. Fulton misses a half court heave at the buzzer.

At halftime, Fulton holds a 26-13 lead.

Brenna Simmons has 5 points to lead the Saranac scoring at halftime.

Avery Walden has 9 points and Olivia Leavitt has 6 points for Fulton.

As there is no halftime entertainment, maybe we can enjoy this Boogie Woogie tune from my You Tube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1MxOus8t44

Fulton inbounds the ball and the third quarter is underway. Fulton misses a driving layup. Abby Warnke gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Jaci Canfield launches and hits a threeball from the corner for Fulton. Saranac is given a technical foul. Fulton misses both free throws. Fulton inbounds the ball after the technical free throws and Jaci Canfield drives and hits a layup to give the Pirates a 31-13 lead.

Olivia Leavitt knocks the Saranac inbound pass out of bounds; the Red Hawks retain possession. Saranac misses a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. Jordan Sterzick gets the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Fulton misses a six foot shot from the baseline; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Pirates get another opportunity.

Fulton misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Jaci Canfield knocks the ball out of bounds; Saranac gets the ball back. Saranac misses a jumper from the free throw elbow. Madeleine Hill is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Fulton lead to 31-14 with 5:57 to play in the third quarter.

Fulton misses a three point attempt from the wing. Jordan Sterzick bounces a pass to Brenna Simmons, who hits a twelve foot shot from the baseline for Saranac. Madison Trahan steals the ball for the Red Hawks and passes to Madeleine Hill, show hits a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane for Saranac. Jaci Canfield drives the baseline and hits a layup for Fulton. Brenna Simmons drives and hits a layup for Saranac. Olivia Leavitt drives from the side and scoops in a layup to give Fulton a 35-22 lead.

Saranac misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane. Delaney Reagen is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to shave the Fulton lead down to 35-23 with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter.

The rebound is tied up and the Possession Arrow along with its posse decide to award the ball to Fulton. The Pirates misfire on a threeball from the side. Maycee Reed passes to Brenna Simmons, who hits a layup for the Red Hawks. Fulton misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Addison Warnke hits a putback for Fulton. Saranac misses a layup. Delaney Reagen hits a putback to cut Fulton’s lead to 37-27.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Saranac misses a layup. Sarah Greenfield is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to chop the Fulton lead to 37-29 with 1:05 left on the third quarter clock.

Delaney Reagan steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to further cut into the Pirate lead. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Saranac commits a traveling violation. Fulton misses a three pointer from the side just before the third quarter buzzer blasts.

After three quarters, Fulton has a 37-31 lead. Saranac outscored Fulton 18-11 in the third quarter.

Saranac inbounds the ball to begin the fourth quarter. The Red Hawks commit an offensive foul. Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Saranac is cited for a traveling violation. Jordan Sterzick steals the ball for the Red Hawks. Saranac is fouled, but misses the first free throw of a one and one opportunity. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Dayten Lambert gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates.

Brenna Simmons steals the ball for Saranac. Jaci Canfield taps the ball from behind as Saranac runs a fast break; the ball goes out of bounds and Saranac has to inbound the ball. Saranac misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Red Hawks get another opportunity. Kaya Canfield’s tough defense forces a Saranac traveling violation. Dayten Lambert drives and hits a layup for Fulton. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 6:24 to play in the game, Fulton has a 39-31 lead.

Saranac is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Fulton misses a fast break layup. Sophia Akin steals the ball for Fulton. The ball gets loose and there is a tieup. The Possession Arrow takes time away from its yoga class and awards the ball to Fulton. Kaya Canfield drives and hits a reverse layup for Fulton. Maycee Reed passes to a Saranac teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both her free throws. With 5:46 to go, Fulton has a 41-31 lead.

Maycee Reed grabs the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a layup. Fulton misses a jump shot from the side. Kaya Canfield gets the offensive rebound. She attacks the basket and is fouled on a layup. She makes one of her two free throws to give Fulton a 42-31 lead with 5:26 showing on the clock.

Saranac misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fulton gets the ball. The Pirates miss a layup. Kaya Canfield gets the offensive rebound for Fulton. Fulton misses a layup. Saranac travels with the ball. Jordan Sterzick steals the ball for the Red Hawks and passes to Brenna Simmons for a Saranac layup. Avery Walden drives and hits a layup for Fulton. She is fouled on the play and makes her free throw to give the Pirates a 45-33 lead with 4:22 left in the game.

Jordan Sterzick is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws for Saranac. Delaney Reagen ties up the ball for Saranac. The Possession Arrow wipes its lunch crumbs off its face and awards the ball to the Red Hawks. Saranac commits an offensive foul. Briana Barnes steals the ball for Saranac. Avery Walden steals the ball for Fulton. She is fouled and hits one of her two free throws. With 3:15 remaining, Fulton has a 46-34 lead.

Avery Walden gets her hand on the ball and knocks it out of bounds; the Red Hawks retain possession. Jordan Sterzick inbounds the ball to Brenna Simmons, who hits a layup for Saranac, is fouled, but misses her free throw. Sarah Greenfield knocks the ball away from Fulton and Mya Griffin picks it up for Saranac. Saranac misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Fulton is fouled, but misses two free throws.

Jaci Canfield gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Delaney Reagen steals the ball for Saranac. Dayten Lambert steals the ball for Fulton. Jordan Sterzick steals the ball for Saranac and is fouled, she makes one of her two free throws to trim Fulton’s lead to 46-37 with 2:05 left on the clock.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Kaya Canfield hits a putback for Fulton; she is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. Avery Walden is fouled on the rebound and hits two free throws to give Fulton a 50-37 lead with 1:48 to play.

Brenna Simmons passes to Delaney Reagen, who hits a layup for Saranac. Jordan Sterzick steals the ball and passes to Brenna Simmons, who hits a three pointer from the corner to chop the Fulton lead to 50-42.

Briana Barnes steals the ball for Saranac. Saranac is fouled, but misses two free throws with 46.2 seconds to go. The rebound from the missed free throw goes out of bounds and Saranac gets the ball back. Sophia Akin’s tough defense results in a Saranac traveling violation. Jaci Canfield is fouled and hits one of her two free throws. With 35.9 seconds remaining, Fulton’s lead is at 51-42.

Mya Griffin is fouled on a drive and hits one of her two free throws for Saranac. Fulton is fouled, but misses two free throws with 12.2 seconds left. Saranac misses a three point shot from the wing. Avery Walden gets the final rebound and holds the ball for the final three seconds of the game.

Fulton wins 51-43.

Brenna Simmons scored 18 points to lead Saranac. Delaney Reagen joined her teammate in double figures with 11 points. Madeleine Hill scored 5 points. Jordan Sterzick and Maycee Reed each added 3 points. Sarah Greenfield put in 2 points and Mya Griffin tallied 1 point.

Avery Walden had 15 points to lead the Fulton scoring. Jaci Canfield supported her teammate with 10 points. Olivia Leavitt and Kaya Canfield each chipped in with 8 points. Sophia Akin and Abby Warnke each tossed in 3 points. Addison Warnke and Dayten Lambert each had 2 points.