Ithaca at Fulton – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 28, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

I start out my video of one of my most popular tunes on You Tube, Red River Valley, by telling the listeners that you never know where the Red River Valley will lead to. One place it does not lead is Fulton High School. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03AhhNk1M8

However, fortunately for fans of the Fulton Pirates and the Ithaca Yellowjackets, M-57 does. Tonight, the Pirates will host the Yellowjackets in a non-conference Boys Basketball game. Fulton enters the game with an 11-9 record while Ithaca is at 8-13.

Tonight is a special night in Fulton. Because of a recent tragedy, Ithaca and Fulton are cooperating on a big fundraiser for the B4 foundation which works to help with suicide prevention. They are selling TShirts, having a bake sale and collecting donations from the fans during the JV and Varsity games.

I got to Fulton’s gym in time to watch the entire JV game. Fulton got off to a 10-9 lead after one quarter and used a 17-4 second quarter advantage to take a 27-13 halftime lead. Ithaca outscored Fulton by three points in the third quarter and the lead down to seven points at 46-39 with 1:38 remaining in the final quarter. However, Parker Duflo stepped to the line and hit two free throws for Fulton nine seconds later and Fulton’s JVs ended up winning by a 51-40 score.

Bryson LeBaron led the Yellowjacket JVs with 15 points and Deacon Skinner chipped in with 11 points. Lloyd Stoneman scored 4 points. Jayden McBride and Tanner Laney each added 3 points. Nathan Mikesell and Riley Guild each tallied 2 points.

Parker Duflo led the victorious Pirate JVs with 19 points. Bryson Sattler and Donovan Shinaver each joined their teammate in double figures with 10 points. Connor Cunningham tossed in 5 points. Colton Kus contributed 3 points. Peyton Reynolds and Parker Billings each added 2 points.

Ithaca Coach Josh Rayburn helped provide me with background information about his players.

Ethan Hull is a fine scorer who can slash to the basket or make shots from the three point line. Charlie Martyn and Jackson Conn are fine ball handlers who play solid perimeter defense and help make sure the offense stays organized. Bronson Bupp is a tough physical post player who scores, rebounds and defends well near the basket. Ryley White brings lots of energy to the Yellowjacket perimeter defense.

Preslee Chaffin and Jackson O’Neil are energetic perimeter defenders. Collin Thrush slashes to the basket well. Kaleb Hallock is a forward with a great motor who is always hustling. Carter Adle uses excellent footwork to score in the lane. David Bakker is a big guy who uses his size well to get position in the post. Bryson LeBaron is a threat to score either on slashes to the basket or shots from the three point line.

Bruce Thelen is generally the leading scorer for the Pirates. He is an incredibly versatile and athletic player. He can hit the three point shot, handle the ball, run the team, defend the perimeter, defend the post and pass the ball well. He is also able to get into the lane to score tough baskets and is more than willing to take charging fouls. (With all this versatility, I wonder about checking to see if he could do some electrical work I need done at my house. I’m sure he’d at least be better at it than me!!)

Zach Saller is a tall player who defends well in the post and is quick enough to cause the opposition problems when he plays on the perimeter. He is a fine three point shooter as well. Jadon Podolak is a tough perimeter defender who moves the ball well on offense and is a threat from the three point line.

Dezmond Blair is a big guy who plays tough defense for the Pirates in the post. Thomas Thelen is a solid defender who can play on the perimeter or help in the post. Ian Lamkin can get hot from the three point line. Donovan Shinaver competes inside where he scores well and draws his share of fouls.

It is now time to review the events of the varsity game through the glazed eyes of a tired, aging Bleacher Denizen who watches too many basketball games for his own good. He was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. His career as a three point shooter was ruined when the basketball powers that be refused to allow him to use a catapult to launch his three point shots.

Fulton wins the opening tap, but turns the ball over. Jackson Conn passes to Bronson Bupp, who hits a layup to give the Yellowjackets the first two points of the game. Ethan Hull steals the ball and is fouled on a driving layup. He hits two free throws to give Ithaca a 4-0 lead less than a minute into the game.

Bruce Thelen sinks a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line for Fulton. Ithaca misses a driving layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Fulton gets the ball. Fulton misses a threeball from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Yellowjackets take possession. Ithaca misses a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line. The rebound goes out of bounds and Ithaca gets another opportunity. Ethan Hull inbounds the ball to Bronson Bupp, who hits a layup to give the Yellowjackets a 6-2 lead.

Fulton misses a six foot banked shot from the side. Ithaca travels with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting; somehow I’m not sure that traveling without the ball would be terribly newsworthy.) Zach Saller ignores the Bleacher Denizen’s musing about cliches and passes to Bruce Thelen, who hits a three point shot from the wing to cut the Ithaca lead to 6-5.

Bronson Bupp hits a layup for Ithaca. Fulton misses an eighteen foot shot from the wing. Ian Lamkin gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Ethan Hull steals the ball for Ithaca and hits a fast break layup. Fulton misses a three pointer from the corner. Jackson Conn passes to Ethan Hull, who hits a three point shot from the side to push the Ithaca lead to 13-5.

Fulton misses a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. The Pirates get the offensive rebound, but miss a threeball from the wing. Ithaca misses a jump shot. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Thomas Thelen pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Ian Lamkin passes to Zach Saller, who hits a three point shot from the wing to trim the Ithaca lead to 13-8.

Ithaca misfires on a triple try from the wing. Ian Lamkin passes to Zach Saller, who hits a three point shot from the wing to close the Ithaca lead to 13-11.

Bronson Bupp hits a layup for Ithaca. Kaleb Hallock nearly steals the ball for Ithaca, but Fulton is able to recover. The Pirates miss a three pointer from the side. Bruce Thelen steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Jackson Conn passes to Carter Adle, who hits a layup, is fouled and misses his free throw. With 1:18 to play in the first quarter, Ithaca has a 17-11 lead.

Collin Thrush gets the offensive rebound for Ithaca. Ithaca misses a five foot hook shot from the baseline. The rebound goes out of bounds and Ithaca gets the ball back. Charlie Martyn passes to Kaleb Hallock, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side to boost the Yellowjacket lead to 19-11.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Ithaca fumbles a pass out of bounds. Fulton takes possession. The Pirates miss a three pointer from the top of the key. Parker Billings gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Ithaca reciprocates; they miss a layup and foul on the rebound. Preslee Chaffin gets his hand on the ball and Fulton loses it out of bounds. Ithaca steps out of bounds and turns it over. Charlie Martyn steals the ball from the Pirates as the first quarter buzzer blares.

After one quarter, Ithaca holds a 19-11 lead.

Fulton has the ball to start out the second quarter. Kaleb Hallock steals a Pirate pass. Parker Billings steals the ball for Fulton. The Pirates miss a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Ithaca gets the ball. Ian Lamkin blocks a Yellowjacket shot. Ithaca recovers the ball, but misses a layup. Bronson Bupp gets the offensive rebound for the Yellowjackets. Ithaca misses a layup. Bronson Bupp is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws to give Ithaca a 20-11 lead with 6:55 remaining in the second quarter.

Charlie Martyn knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Parker Billings passes to Donovan Shinaver, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Fulton. Ithaca fumbles a pass out of bounds. Jadon Podolak passes to Donovan Shinaver, who hits a layup for Fulton. Ethan Hull drives and hits a layup for Ithaca. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Charlie Martyn passes to Ethan Hull who hits a long three pointer past the top of the key to boost Ithaca to a 25-15 lead.

Parker Billings passes to Jadon Podolak, who throws in a threeball from the side for Fulton. Ithaca fumbles a pass out of bounds. Fulton misses a threeball from the corner. Charlie Martyn gets into the lane and hits a fourteen footer for Ithaca. Fulton misses a layup. Donovan Shinaver is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws to trim the Ithaca lead to 27-19 with 4:12 to play in the first half.

Bruce Thelen gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Ithaca misses a three point shot from the side. Jackson Conn snags the offensive rebound for the Yellowjackets and passes to Ethan Hull, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Ithaca to boost the Yellowjacket lead to 30-19.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Jadon Podolak pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a threeball from the corner. Dezmond Blair gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Charlie Martyn knocks the ball away from Fulton and Bronson Bupp grabs it for Ithaca. The Yellowjackets miss a three pointer from the wing. Charlie Martyn gets the offensive rebound for Ithaca.

Donovan Shinaver ties up the ball for Fulton. The Possession Arrow and its finance committee are playing euchre and miss the play. The ball is awarded to Ithaca. Ithaca misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Fulton throws a pass too high and out of bounds. Charlie Martyn hits an eight foot shot off the dribble in the lane for Ithaca. Donovan Shinaver passes to Bruce Thelen, who hits a thr4ee point shot from the side for Fulton. Ithaca misses a layup. Ethan Hull hits a putback to give the Yellowjackets a 34-22 lead.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Donovan Shinaver is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws for Fulton to shave the Yellowjacket led to 34-23 with 1:25 remaining in the half.

Bruce Thelen pulls down the rebound from the missed free throw for Fulton. Fulton misses a driving layup. Thomas Thelen gets the offensive rebound for Fulton. Fulton is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Dezmond Blair steals the ball for the Pirates. (Gotta love that “steals the ball for the Pirates” phrase!!!) Bruce Thelen banks in a three point shot off the dribble from the wing to cut Ithaca’s lead to 34-26. (I’m sure I heard him call “BANK!!” I know it!! I know it!!)

Ryley White passes to Collin Thrush, who drives in and hits a layup. He is fouled on the play and makes a free throw. Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Bruce Thelen draws a charging foul from Ithaca. Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Ithaca is fouled as the halftime buzzer sounds, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity.

At halftime, Ithaca has a 37-26 lead.

Bruce Thelen has 11 points to lead Fulton’s halftime scoring. Zach Saller and Donovan Shinaver each have 6 points.

Ethan Hull has 17 points for Ithaca at halftime. Bronson Bupp has 9 points.

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

Fulton inbounds the ball to get the third quarter underway. The Pirates miss a three point shot from the wing. Ithaca misses a three point shot from the wing. Ryley White grates the offensive rebound for the Yellowjackets. Ithaca misses a jump shot. Fulton misses a layup. Ithaca is assessed with a traveling violation. Thomas Thelen passes to Zach Saller, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Fulton to trim the Ithaca lead to 37-29.

Ithaca misfires on a threeball near the top of the key. Fulton misfires on a threeball from the corner. Ryley White passes to Charlie Martyn, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the wing for Ithaca. Zach Saller hits a three point shot from the wing for Fulton to cut the Yellowjacket lead to 39-32.

Jackson Conn passes to Ethan Hull, who throws in a threeball from the top of the key for Ithaca. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Bruce Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a threeball from the corner and fouls on the layup. Ithaca misses a layup. Fulton misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Jadon Podolak steals the ball and passes to Bruce Thelen, who hits a fast break layup to trim the Ithaca lead to 42-34.

Parker Duflo steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton misses a fast break layup. Charlie Martyn drives and dishes the ball to Carter Adle, who hits a layup for the Yellowjackets. Parker Duflo throws in a threeball from the corner for the Pirates. Parker Billings steals an Ithaca pass to foil a layup. Fulton loses a pass out of bounds. Ryley White is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws for Ithaca. With 2:24 to play in the third quarter, Ithaca holds a 45-37 lead.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Parker Billings gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Carter Adle blocks a Fulton layup. Ithaca misses a three point shot from the wing. Parker Billings hits a fast break layup for Fulton. Ithaca misses a twelve foot shot from the baseline. Jadon Podolak throws in a threeball from the wing to slash the Ithaca lead to 45-42.

Ethan Hull passes to Preslee Chaffin, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Ithaca. Carter Able knocks the ball away from Fulton and to an Ithaca teammate. Bruce Thelen blocks an Ithaca fast break layup. Ithaca recovers the ball. The Yellowjackets are fouled on a shot, but miss two free throws. Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. Ithaca misses a thirty foot shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fulton takes possession. Jadon Podolak shoots a thirty-five foot shot at the buzzer that goes in and out of the basket.

After three quarters, Ithaca has a 48-42 lead.

Ithaca has the ball to begin the fourth quarter; the Yellowjackets throw a pass out of bounds. Fulton misses a driving layup. Ethan Hull gets into the lane and is fouled on an eight foot shot; he hits two free throws for Ithaca. Kaleb Hallock knocks a Fulton pass out of bounds; the Pirates retain possession. Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. Kaleb Hallock passes to Carter Able, who hits a layup to give Ithaca a 52-42 lead.

Kaleb Hallock steals the ball for the Yellowjackets. Ithaca misses a driving layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Yellowjackets get another possession. Ithaca misfires on a triple try from the wing. Fulton misses a threeball from the side. Bruce Thelen steals an Ithaca pass. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Parker Duflo gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Bruce Thelen gets into the lane and is fouled on a six foot hook shot. Bruce Thelen hits two free throws to trim the Ithaca lead to 54-44 with 5:26 left on the clock.

Ithaca tosses a pass out of bounds. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing. Ithaca misses a layup. Fulton misses a ten foot shot in other lane. Bruce Thelen gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a layup. Ithaca misses a jump shot. Ethan Hull gets the offensive rebound for the Yellowjackets and passes to Bronson Bupp, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to give the Yellowjackets a 55-44 lead with 4:22 remaining.

Fulton is whistled for a traveling violation. Jadon Podolak steals the ball for the Pirates. Bruce Thelen passes to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both his free throws. The rebound goes out of bounds and Ithaca takes possession. Donovan Shinaver steals the ball for Fulton. Fulton misses a three pointer from the corner. Thomas Thelen gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a three point shot near the top of the key. Charlie Martyn is fouled on the rebound and makes both ends of a one and one opportunity for the Yellowjackets. With 3:19 to play, Ithaca has a 57-44 lead.

Fulton misses a driving layup. Ithaca misses a ten foot shot from the side. Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Donovan Shinaver is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws for Fulton. Ithaca is fouled on a six foot shot from the baseline, but misses two free throws. With 2:28 left in the game, Ithaca’s lead is at 57-45.

Ithaca gets the offensive rebound from the missed free throw. Bruce Thelen and Jadon Podolak double team Ithaca and steal the ball for Fulton. Bruce Thelen is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of his two free throws for Fulton to trim the Ithaca lead to 57-46 with 1:37 to go.

Bruce Thelen gets the offensive rebound for Fulton. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Ithaca misses a driving six foot banked shot. Fulton loses the ball out of bounds. Zach Saller blocks a Yellowjacket shot; Ithaca recovers the ball briefly, but throws a pass out of bounds. Parker Duflo passes to Bruce Thelen, who hits a six foot banked shot for Fulton. Ethan Full is fouled and hits two free throws to give Ithaca a 59-48 lead with 42.5 seconds left in the game.

Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Bruce Thelen is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws for Fulton. Charlie Martyn is fouled and hits one of his two free throws for Ithaca. Ethan Hull knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Fulton misses a threeball from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fulton gets another opportunity. Fulton misses a layup. Ithaca runs out the clock.

Ithaca wins this game by the score of 60-50.

Bruce Thelen led the Fulton scoring with 20 points. Zach Saller contributed 12 points. Donovan Shinaver added 7 points. Jadon Podolak put in 6 points. Parker Duflo scored 3 points and Parker Billings had 2 points.

Ethan Hull had 24 points to lead the Ithaca scoring. Bronson Bupp joined his teammate in double figures with 10 points. Charlie Martyn put in 9 points and Carter Adle had 8 points. Preslee Chaffin and Collin Thrush each scored 3 points. Kaleb Hallock scored 2 points and Ryley White tallied 1 point.

The next morning I learned that Fulton and Ithaca raised over $3000 for the B4 Foundation!! This will help a lot of people!