Holt at DeWitt – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 21, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

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

Unfortunately, the Red River Valley does not lead to DeWitt High School, but fortunately, Herbison Road does! Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen’s basketball journey takes him to DeWitt, where the Panthers will be hosting the Lady Rams from Holt. Both of these teams are among the finest girls’ basketball teams in the Lansing area!

(Some day, I hope to learn what classes or certifications I need so I can refer to my travels as an “odyssey!” I’ll know I have “arrived” then!)

DeWitt’s Panthers are 7-1 in the CAAC-Blue with their only league loss coming in a 53-55 loss at Holt at the end of January. The Panthers have an 18-2 overall record. Tara Kurncz is an excellent scorer who can shoot from the three point line or slash to the basket. Madison Uyl is a quick, crafty guard who is able to get to the basket well and has a real knack for stealing the ball. She is a threat to pick anyone at any time.

Gabbie Brya runs the point for the Panthers and leads the team with assists. Peyton Anderson is a quick guard who is a fine defensive player. Alex Charles plays in the middle and leads the team in rebounding.

The Holt Lady Rams are 9-0 in the CAAC-Blue and 17-3 overall. Janae Tyler will be playing for Division 1 Kent State next year. She is an amazing post player with great hands and excellent athletic ability. She catches passes and grabs rebounds really well. She also has an amazing variety of post moves so that once she catches the ball, she is a huge threat to score. She is also a tough defender in the post.

Claire Tobias is a pure point guard who passes the ball well, is a solid dribbler and runs the offense efficiently. She is a strong perimeter defender as well. Rhema Dozier is a fantastic perimeter defender who always covers the opponent’s best perimeter player. Allison Metzger is a good scorer who is a threat to slash to the basket. Bailey Hosford has a nice three point shot. Emma Netzel, who will run cross country in college next year is a tireless and quick defender who can harass opposing ball handlers full court.

I got to DeWitt and saw almost all of the JV game. DeWitt got out to a 15-8 lead after one quarter and led 29-19 at halftime. DeWitt outscored Holt by 2 in the third quarter and 1 in the fourth quarter. DeWitt won the JV game 48-35.

Kara Barker led the Holt JVs with 10 points. Ta’Shyra Evans scored 8 points. Chloe Buckley tossed in 7 points. Linden Ray had 6 points and Gabriella Sutberry added 4 points.

Madison McDonald led the victorious DeWitt JVs with 15 points. Kaylie Way joined her teammate in double figures with 12 points. Kennedy Goerge contributed 7 points and Sophie Beland chipped in with 6 points. Nicole O’Neal added 4 points. Ryleigh Hanlin and Cate Piesko each tallied 2 points.

This is a big game in the area. Both the State Journal (sports editor Brian Calloway) and AM730 Radio (Brock Palmbos and Doc Love) are here to report the game. Hopefully the Bleacher Denizen can take accurate notes to keep up with these great professionals!!

It is now time to review the events of this game through the somewhat clear lenses of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in the days of yore when he was considered to be “young.” Alas, his whole basketball career was cut short when the powers that be ruled that the Bleacher Denizen was no longer permitted to use a catapult to help his three point shooting.

Holt wins the opening tap. The Rams miss a six foot shot from the side of the lane. DeWitt misses a three point shot near the top of the key. Gabbie Brya pulls down the offensive rebound for the Panthers. Janae Tyler blocks a Holt layup. Gabbie Brya retrieves the loose ball for DeWitt. The Panthers turn the ball over. Holt misses a layup. Gabbie Brya inbounds the ball to Alex Charles, who hits a layup to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead.

Holt misses a layup. DeWitt misses a fast break layup. Tara Kurncz and Payton Anderson apply a double team for DeWitt that leads to the ball being tied up. The Possession Arrow assembles its Board of Directors and determines that the ball shall belong to DeWitt. The Panthers misfire on a triple try from the side. Holt misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Janae Tyler gets the offensive rebound and passes to Allison Metzger, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give Holt a 3-2 lead.

Payton Anderson passes to Alex Charles, who hits a layup for DeWitt to retake the lead. DeWitt’s press causes Holt to throw a pass out of bounds. Janae Tyler blocks a Holt layup. Holt misses a six foot shot from the baseline. The rebound goes out of bounds and DeWitt gets the ball. DeWitt misses a jumper from the free throw line. The rebound goes out of bounds and Holt gets the ball. Holt misses a three pointer from the side. Madison Uyl drives and hits a layup for DeWitt to give the Panthers a 6-3 lead.

Claire Tobias passes to Abigail Metzger, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Holt. DeWitt misfires on a triple try from the side. Claire Tobias passes to Abigail Metzger, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give the lead to Holt. Tara Kurncz is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to tie the game at 8-8 with 1:45 remaining in the first quarter.

Allison Metzger passes to Janae Tyler, who hits a layup for Holt. DeWitt misses a layup. Allison Metzger drives and hits a layup for Holt. DeWitt misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Holt misses a threeball from the wing. Allison Metzger pulls down the offensive rebound for Holt and passes to Claire Tobias, who hits a two point jumper for Holt as the buzzer signals an end to the first quarter.

After one quarter, Holt holds a 14-8 lead.

Holt has the ball to open the second quarter. The Rams miss a driving layup. Allison Metzger knocks the ball away from DeWitt and Janae Tyler picks it up for Holt. Allison Metzger passes to Janae Tyler, who spins and hits a six foot banked shot to give Holt a 16-8 lead. (You really need to see Janae Tyler work in the post sometime. Not a motion is wasted!!)

DeWitt misses a three point shot from the wing. Holt misses a fast break layup. DeWitt travels with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting. I don’t suppose that traveling without the ball is all that noteworthy.) Holt misses a layup. Rhema Dozier pulls down the offensive rebound for the Rams. Claire Tobias is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to push Holt to a 17-8 lead with 5:37 to play in the first half.

Abigail Metzger knocks the ball away from DeWitt and Claire Tobias snags it for Holt. Payton Anderson draws a charging foul to negate a Ram layup. DeWitt misses a driving hook shot. Payton Anderson gets the offensive rebound for DeWitt and passes to Carly Dennis, who hits a three point shot from the wing for DeWitt to trim the Holt lead to 17-11.

Holt misfires on a three point shot from the side. DeWitt misses a fifteen footer from the baseline. The rebound goes out of bounds and Holt takes possession. Alex Charles blocks a Holt layup. Gabbie Brya passes to Alex Charles, hits a layup for DeWitt. Holt misses a layup. Madison Uyl passes to Tara Kurncz, who hits a three point shot from the wing to cut the Holt lead to 17-16.

Holt misses a twelve foot shot from the baseline. Claire Tobias grabs the offensive rebound for the Rams. Holt misses a driving layup. DeWitt misses a fast break layup. Rhema Dozier spins and hits a layup for Holt. Janae Tyler blocks a DeWitt layup. Holt misses a layup; Janae Tyler hits a putback for the Rams. Abigail Metzger steals the ball for the Rams. Janae Tyler hits a layup to give Holt a 23-16 lead.

Carly Dennis passes to Alex Charles, who hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow for DeWitt. Holt loses the ball out of bounds. DeWitt misfires on a triple try from the wing. Holt misses a 40 foot heave as the second quarter buzzer announces its presence.

Holt has a 23-18 lead at halftime.

Alex Charles has 8 points to lead the DeWitt scoring at halftime. Tara Kurncz has 5 points.

Janae Tyler has 8 points to lead the Holt halftime scoring. Allison Metzger and Abigail Metzger each have 5 points.

DeWitt inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Payton Anderson alertly reacts to prevent a bad pass from becoming a Panther turnover. Gabbie Brya passes to Madison Uyl, who drives the baseline and hits a layup for DeWitt. Janae Tyler makes a great jump shot fake and drives to the basket to hit a layup that gives Holt a 25-20 lead.

Kaylin Howard blocks a DeWitt layup; the loose ball goes out of bounds and DeWitt gets another opportunity. Allison Metzger steals the ball for Holt. Payton Anderson gets back quickly and knocks the ball out of bounds to stop a Ram layup. Holt gets the ball back, but Payton Anderson steals the ball and streaks up the court to hit a layup for the Panthers to trim the Ram lead to 25-22.

Payton Anderson steals the ball for DeWitt. Madison Uyl passes to Gabbie Brya, who hits a three point shot for DeWitt to tie the game. Madison Uyl and Alex Charles apply a fierce double team that forces Holt to call time out to avoid a turnover. Holt misses a three point shot from the wing; Janae Tyler hits a putback for the Rams. Madison Uyl passes to Tara Kurncz, who hits a layup for DeWitt to tie the game at 27-27.

Tara Kurncz’ fierce defense forces Holt into an over and back violation. Carly Dennis drives and hits a layup to give DeWitt the lead. Allison Metzger passes to Bailey Hosford, who hits a layup for Holt to tie the game. Tara Kurncz passes to Payton Anderson, who hits a twelve foot shot from the baseline to push DeWitt to a 31-29 lead.

Holt misses a layup. Tara Kurncz ties up the rebound; the Possession Arrow takes a poll of its Garden Club members and decides to award the ball to Holt. Holt misfires on a threeball from the corner. Tara Kurncz drives from the top of the key to hit a layup for DeWitt; the Panthers have a 33-29 lead.

Holt misses a three point shot from the corner. DeWitt misses a fast break layup. Gabbie Brya grabs the offensive rebound for the Panthers (and is hammered to the floor in the process; Holt is called for a foul, but there are no free throws.) DeWitt misses a threeball from the side. Holt misses a jump shot; Janae Tyler hits a putback for the Rams. Madison Uyl is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to give DeWitt a 34-31 lead with 1:41 to play in the quarter.

Payton Anderson knocks the ball out of bounds; Holt retains possession. Allison Metzger is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for Holt. Gabbie Brya passes to Alex Charles, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for the Panthers. With 1:05 to go in the third quarter, DeWitt has a 35-33 lead.

Holt misses a three point shot from the wing. DeWitt holds the ball for about forty seconds to take the last shot. DeWitt misses a seventeen foot shot from the wing at the buzzer.

With three quarters in the books, DeWitt has a 35-33 lead.

DeWitt has the ball to start the fourth quarter. The Panthers miss a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. Carly Dennis snares the offensive rebound for the Panthers. DeWitt misses a layup. Abigail Metzger passes to Janae Tyler, who hits a layup for Holt to tie the game. DeWitt turns the ball over. Holt misses a six foot banked shot from the side. Janae Tyler hits a putback to give Holt a 37-35 lead.

Claire Tobias’ defense forces DeWitt to call time out to avoid turning the ball over. DeWitt misses a layup. Alex Charles is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for DeWitt to tie the game at 37-37 with 5:51 left on the game clock.

Holt misses a fast break layup. Janae Tyler pulls down the offensive rebound for the Rams. Payton Anderson knocks the ball away from the Rams, but Holt is able to recover. Madison Uyl dives to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow has been balancing its checkbook and misses the play. The ball is awarded to Holt. Holt is whistled for traveling on a post move. Payton Anderson fires the ball to Tara Kurncz, who hits a three point shot from the side to give DeWitt a 40-37 lead.

Holt misses a fast break layup. Madison Uyl hits a fast break layup for Holt. Tara Kurncz steals the ball for the Panthers. DeWitt misfires on a threeball from the side. Madison Uyl knocks a Ram pass out of bounds; Holt retains possession. Abigail Metzger passes to Janae Tyler, who hits a layup for Holt to shave the DeWitt lead to 42-39.

DeWitt misses a driving layup, but Gabbie Brya secures the offensive rebound for the Panthers. Gabbie Brya inbounds the ball to Madison Uyl, who hits a layup for the Panthers. DeWitt’s defense prevents Holt from inbounding the ball in the required five seconds and they turn the ball over. Gabbie Brya passes to Tara Kurncz, who hits a layup to give DeWitt a 46-39 lead.

Allison Metzger passes to Janae Tyler, who spins and makes a fine post move as well as a layup for the Rams. Bailey Hosford steals the ball for the Rams. Holt misses a three point shot from the side. Allison Metzger grabs the long offensive rebound for Holt. Holt misses a three point shot from the side. Bailey Hosford gets the offensive rebound for the Rams. Janae Tyler uses her strength (legally) to force her way in so she can hit a layup for Holt. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 53.1 seconds remaining, DeWitt has a 46-43 lead.

Holt commits its sixth foul of the half with 41.3 seconds to go. On the next foul, DeWitt will have be given a one and one free throw opportunity. DeWitt is able to keep the ball away from Holt and avoid being fouled until Freshman Carly Dennis is fouled. She steps to the line and hits two important free throws to give DeWitt a 48-43 lead with 28.8 seconds to play.

Holt misses a driving layup. DeWitt is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity with 10.7 seconds to go. Holt misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and DeWitt gets the ball with only .4 of a second left in the game. DeWitt inbounds the ball and the final buzzer lets itself be heard.

DeWitt wins this game by a 48-43 score; they and Holt will share the Girls’ CAAC-Blue Championship as they each have a 9-1 record.

Holt’s Janae Tyler had a monster game and led all scorers with 24 points. Allison Metzger supported her with 7 points. Abigail Metzger scored 5 points. Claire Tobias added 3 points. Rhema Dozier and Bailey Hosford each put in 2 points.

Tara Kurncz led DeWitt with 14 points. Alex Charles joined her teammate in double figures with 11 points. Madison Uyl contributed 9 points. Carly Dennis chipped in with 7 points including two huge free throws near the end. Payton Anderson scored 4 points and Gabbie Brya added 3 points.