Laingsburg vs. Jonesville – – Boys Basketball – – Division 3 Regional – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 13, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

In this video of “Red River Valley” from my You Tube Channel, I tell the leaders that you never know where the Red River Valley will lead you. Unfortunately, one place where it does not lead is Hanover-Horton High School, where tonight’s Regional Semifinal will be held. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03AhhNk1M8

Fortunately, Moscow Road does lead to the high school in Horton, so the Laingsburg Wolfpack and the Comets from Jonesville will be able to play their Regional Semifinal game tonight.

(I’ll reveal my age here; when I was a kid, I loved “Rocky and Bullwinkle”. As soon as I saw Moscow Road, I was hoping to see Boris and Natasha frantically trying to put a stop to Moose And Squirrel. Alas, it is possible this road leads to a different Moscow than the one I was thinking of.)

Life can be full of interesting coincidences. In 2015, Laingsburg’s girls made it all the way to the semifinal. Along the way, I covered their quarterfinal game where I noted a couple very young babies were in the stands to help cheer their Wolfpack girls in the big game! https://thebleacherdenizen.blogspot.com/2015/03/laingsburg-vs-niles-brandywine-state.html

Tonight, I sat behind one of the two young fans who is now old enough to cheer a bit more!! His Mom told me who the boy was and that she remember him being referred to in the article! You never know when life will bring people from the past together!!

The Jonesville Comets finished first in the Big 8 Conference and enter this game with a 19-5 record. Coach Jeff Turner provided me with some information about his Comet players.

Brady Wright is a three year starter who runs the point for the Comets. He is a versatile guard whose tough perimeter defense has enabled him to set the Jonesville career steals record. He is a steady leader as well as being a fine ball handler and passer. He is an accurate shooter from the three point line or the free throw line. He is also strong at slashing to the basket.

Warrick Elder is a strong perimeter defender who can score on slashes to the basket or from the three point line. Jaxon Phifer, the team’s leading scorer is also an accurate shooter from the three point line who can slash to the basket. All three of these guards (Brady Wright, Warrick Elder and Jaxon Phifer) are dependable from the free throw line.

T.J. Berlin is a strong defender, either in the post or on the perimeter. Damion Scharer is a tall player who can score and defend well in the post or on the perimeter. He is also a strong rebounder. Tyler Scholfield and Gavin Van Kampen are tough defenders in the post who rebound well.

The Laingsburg Wolfpack is undefeated at 23-0 and won the Central Michigan Athletic Conference championship. Here are some of their top players. Thanks to coach Daniel Morrill for his help getting this information when I covered the team earlier this year.

Zander Woodruff is the leading scorer in the Lansing Area. He can do everything a scorer might want to do whether it is slashing to the basket, shooting the three ball, stopping and popping a jump shot or beating the defense to the basket on a fast break. He is also an aggressive perimeter defender.

His brother, Eli Woodruff is a versatile player who is a strong defender either in the post or on the perimeter. He scores a lot of points inside on putbacks and post moves, but he is also a threat from the three point line. Luke Snyder is a tough defender and rebounder in the post. He has great footwork on offense and can score well in the post.

Ty Randall is a tough and fearless defender who is frequently seen drawing charging fouls. (Sometimes the Bleacher Denizen gets sympathy bruises in the stands while watching Mr. Randall do his thing!) He is an athletic player who can defend anyone anywhere on the floor.

Brayden Thomas is a classic point guard for the Wolfpack. He defends the perimeter with passion, sees the floor well, handles the ball with precision and leads his team’s offense. When he needs to, he can hit the three point shot and he is also a pretty good free throw shooter. Jacob Essenberg is a player who can handle the point when needed, but he is a good scorer as well either driving to the basket or hitting shots from the three point line. Cam Ballard is a good ball handler and perimeter defender with a fine basketball IQ.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the cloudy lenses of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. While your Bleacher Denizen showed some early potential as a dunker, everything was ruined when the basketball powers that be decided to raise the rim from five feet to ten feet.

Laingsburg wins the opening tap. Jacob Essenberg drives and hits a layup to give Laingsburg the first two points of the game. Jonesville misses a fifteen foot jumper from the side. Laingsburg misses a fifteen footer from the baseline. Ty Randall pulls down the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Gavin Van Kampen steals the ball for the Comets.

Jonesville misfires on a threeball from the side. Jaxon Phifer steals the ball for the Comets. Brayden Thomas’ fierce defense forces Jonesville into a traveling violation. Brayden Thomas passes to Zander Woodruff, who hits a ten foot shot from the baseline to give the Wolfpack a 4-0 lead.

Eli Woodruff knocks the ball away from Jonesville and Brayden Thomas picks it up for Laingsburg. The Wolfpack misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Jacob Essenberg knocks the ball away from Jonesville and Zander Woodruff grabs it for Laingsburg. Zander Woodruff is fouled on an eight foot shot from the side and hits two free throws to boost the Wolfpack to a 6-0 lead with 4:08 remaining in the first quarter.

Jacob Essenberg knocks the ball away from the Comets and Brayden Thomas picks it up for the Wolfpack. Jacob Essenberg drives and dishes the ball to Ty Randall, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give Laingsburg a 9-0 lead.

Ty Randall gets his hand on the ball and knocks it out of bounds; Jonesville retains possession. Jaxon Phifer throws in a threeball from the wing to give Jonesville its first three points of the game. Laingsburg commits a turnover as they inbound the ball. Jaxon Phifer catches an inbound pass and hits a layup for Jonesville to shave the Laingsburg lead to 9-5.

Laingsburg misfires on a triple try from the top of the key. Jacob Essenberg gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Zander Woodruff is fouled on a driving five foot banked shot and hits two free throws to give Laingsburg an 11-5 lead with 2:20 remaining in the first quarter.

Tyler Scholfield passes to Warrick Elder, who hits a three point shot from the side for Jonesville. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and Jonesville takes possession. Brayden Thomas gets a hand on the ball and Jonesville loses it out of bounds. Zander Woodruff drives and hits a twelve foot shot from the wing to give Laingsburg a 13-8 lead.

Zander Woodruff lands awkwardly coming down from his jump shot and leaves the game. Jacob Essenberg knocks the ball away from the Comets, but Jonesville recovers. Cam Ballard steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the wing. Jonesville misses a three pointer from the side at the buzzer.

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

Jonesville has the ball to begin the second quarter. The Comets miss an eight foot shot from the side of the lane. Braeden Trine gets the offensive rebound for the Comets. Ty Randall draws a charging foul from Jonesville. Laingsburg misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Jonesville takes possession. Ty Randall gets his hand on a pass and knocks the ball out of bounds; Jonesville retains possession.

Jonesville misses a six foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Wolfpack takes possession. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the wing. Jonesville misses a threeball from the side and fouls on the rebound. Laingsburg commits an offensive foul. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the wing and fouls on the rebound. Gavin Van Kampen steals a Wolfpack pass. Gavin van Kampen passes to Warrick Elder, who hits a three point shot from the side for Jonesville to cut the Laingsburg lead to 13-11.

Zander Woodruff tosses in a twelve footer from the baseline for Laingsburg. (Cool that he was able to recover from his fall in the first quarter and return to the game!) The Comets lose the ball out of bounds. The Woodruff connection comes through for Laingsburg as Eli passes to Zander, who is fouled on an eight foot shot from the side. Zander Woodruff hits two free throws to give his Wolfpack a 17-11 lead with 3:32 remaining in the first half.

Jaxon Phifer drives and banks in an eight foot shot from the side for Jonesville. Warrick Elder steals the ball for Jonesville; he hits a three point shot from the side to cut the Laingsburg lead to 17-16.

Ty Randall hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for Laingsburg. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the side. Zander Woodruff hits a three point shot from the top of the key for Laingsburg. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the wing. Zander Woodruff hits a fast break layup to give the Wolfpack a 24-16 lead.

Jonesville is assessed with a traveling violation. Laingsburg misses a driving layup. Jonesville misses a long threeball from the wing. Laingsburg misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Jonesville misses a heave as the second quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

At halftime, Laingsburg has a 24-16 lead.

Jaxon Phifer has 10 points for Jonesville and Warrick Elder has 6 points.

Zander Woodruff has 17 points for Laingsburg and Ty Randall has 5 points.

As there is no halftime entertainment today, I hope you will enjoy some Good Vibrations (piano instrumental) from my You Tube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3482fQh0Rdo

Laingsburg inbounds the ball to get the third quarter underway. Ty Randall passes to Zander Woodruff, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Laingsburg. Warrick Elder passes to Gavin Van Kampen, who is fouled on a five foot turnaround shot in the lane. Gavin Van Kampen hits one of his two free throws to trim the Laingsburg lead to 27-17 with 7:25 remaining in quarter number three.

Jacob Essenberg drives and hits a reverse layup for the Wolfpack. Warrick Elder drives and dishes the ball to T.J. Berlin, who hits a six foot shot from the side for the Comets. Jacob Essenberg throws in a threeball from the wing for the Wolfpack to give Laingsburg a 32-19 lead.

Jonesville misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Warrick Elder steals the ball for Jonesville. Jacob Essenberg steals the ball for Laingsburg. Gavin Van Kampen blocks a Laingsburg shot. Jonesville misses a ten footer in the lane. Zander Woodruff hits a long three point shot off the dribble well past the top of the key for Laingsburg.

Warrick Elder hits a ten foot shot from the side for Jonesville. Cam Ballard tosses in a threeball from the corner for Laingsburg. Jaxon Phifer passes to Warrick Elder, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Jonesville. Zander Woodruff drives and hits an eight foot shot from the side of the lane to give Laingsburg a 40-24 lead.

Jonesville loses the ball out of bounds. Laingsburg misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Tyler Scholfield is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two shots to trim the Wolfpack lead to 40-25 with 3:08 remaining in quarter number three.

Warrick Elder and Damion Scharer execute a double team and cause a Laingsburg double dribble violation. Ty Randall knocks the ball away from Jonesville and Cam Ballard picks it up for the Wolfpack. Jaxon Phifer steals a Laingsburg inbound pass. Brayden Thomas gets back quickly for the Wolfpack and knocks the ball out of bounds to prevent a fast break layup. Jonesville gets another opportunity. Luke Snyder knocks a Jonesville pass into the lane out of bounds; the Comets get the ball back. Warrick Elder passes to Brady Wright, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side to cut the Laingsburg lead to 40-27.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Luke Snyder steals the ball for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a layup. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow decrees that Jonesville shall have the ball. Gavin Van Kampen passes to Tyler Scholfield, who hits a layup to trim the Wolfpack lead to 40-29.

Laingsburg commits a traveling violation. Brady Wright drives coast to coast to hit a layup for Jonesville. Laingsburg travels on a shot fake. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the wing. Jacob Essenberg passes to Eli Woodruff, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side just before the third quarter buzzer shuts down the third quarter.

After three quarters, Laingsburg holds a 42-31 lead.

Laingsburg has the ball to open the fourth quarter. Jacob Essenberg passes to Eli Woodruff, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for the Wolfpack. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the corner. Gavin Van Kampen is fouled on putback and hits one of his two free throws for Jonesville to trim the Laingsburg lead to 44-32 with 7:40 to play in the final quarter.

T.J. Berlin gets the offensive rebound from the missed free throw. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the corner. Laingsburg drives and dishes a pass out of bounds. Jonesville misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the corner. Gavin Van Kampen hits a fast break layup for Jonesville. Zander Woodruff hits a two point jumper for Laingsburg. (The action is so fast that I did not have time to put the location of the shot in my notes!) Jaxon Phifer hits a three point shot from the top of the key for Jonesville and is knocked down. He makes his free throw to chop the Wolfpack lead to 46-38 with 6:13 remaining in the game.

T.J. Berlin and Warrick Elder use a double team to force a Laingsburg traveling violation. Ty Randall knocks a Comet pass out of bounds; Jonesville retains possession. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the wing. Ty Randall passes to Jacob Essenberg, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to boost the Wolfpack lead to 48-38 with 4:36 left on the clock.

Warrick Elder is fouled on an up and under six footer from the side and hits one of his two free throws for Jonesville. Laingsburg misses a six foot banked shot from the side. Ty Randall hits a putback for the Wolfpack and is fouled; he makes his free throw to push Laingsburg to a 51-39 lead with 4:03 left in the contest.

Jonesville drives the baseline and misses a layup. Laingsburg misfires on a triple try from the side. Brayden Thomas grabs the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the corner. Eli Woodruff gets the offensive rebound for Laingsburg. Zander Woodruff hits a three point shot from the side to give Laingsburg a 54-39 lead.

Brady Wright drives from the side and hits a layup for Jonesville. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. Brady Wright tips the offensive rebound to Damion Scharer. Jonesville misses a three pointer from the corner. Gavin Van Kampen is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws for the Comets to shave the Wolfpack lead to 54-42 with 2:41 to play.

Warrick Elder knocks the ball away from Laingsburg, but the Wolfpack recovers the ball. Warrick Elder draws a charging foul to negate a Laingsburg layup. Brady Wright drives and dishes the ball to Damion Scharer, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Jonesville. Warrick Elder knocks the ball away from Laingsburg and Tyler Scholfield picks it up for the Comets. Damion Scharer is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to cut the Laingsburg lead to 54-44 with 2:21 to go.

Warrick Elder knocks the ball away from Laingsburg and Tyler Schofield picks it up for Laingsburg. Damion Scharer is fouled and hits one of his two free throws for Jonesville. Jaxon Phifer steals the ball and passes to Tyler Scholfield, who hits a reverse layup for Jonesville to chop the Wolfpack lead 54-47.

Jacob Essenberg is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws for Laingsburg. Zander Woodruff tips the ball away from Jonesville and Ty Randall picks it up for Laingsburg. Zander Woodruff is fouled and hits both free throws in a one and one opportunity to give Laingsburg a 57-47 lead with 1:37 remaining in the contest.

Jaxon Phifer inbounds the ball to Brady Wright, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Jonesville. Laingsburg is fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. With 1:27 to play, Laingsburg’s lead remains at 57-50.

Jonesville misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Brady Wright gets the offensive rebound for Jonesville. Brady Wright inbounds the ball to Jaxon Phifer, who hits a three point shot from the side for Jonesville. Ty Randall is fouled and hits one of two free throws in a one and one opportunity for Laingsburg. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and Laingsburg gets the ball. Jacob Essenberg is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give Laingsburg a 59-53 lead with 49.9 seconds left.

Warrick Elder is fouled on a driving layup, which is negated because the foul was ruled to be before the shot. Warrick Elder hits one of his two free throws for Jonesville. Brady Wright gets the offensive rebound for the Comets. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the corner. Ty Randall is fouled on the rebound and hits one of his two free throws to boost the Wolfpack to a 60-54 lead with 36.9 seconds remaining.

Jonesville misses a driving layup. Jacob Essenberg is fouled on the rebound and hits one of his two free throws to give Laingsburg a 61-54 lead with just 30.8 seconds to go.

Jonesville misses a layup. Laingsburg is fouled, but misses two free throws. Jonesville misses a three point shot from the corner. Brayden Thomas secures the defensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg runs out the final seconds.

Laingsburg wins this game 61-54 and will play Michigan Center in Wednesday’s Regional Final.

Jaxon Phifer had 17 points to lead the Jonesville scoring. Warrick Elder joined his teammate in double figures with 15 points. Brady Wright tossed in 7 points. Damion Scharer and Gavin Van Kampen each scored 5 points. Tyler Scholfield put in 3 points and T.J. Berlin tallied 2 points.

Zander Woodruff had 32 points to lead the Wolfpack. Jacob Essenberg contributed 12 points and Ty Randall chipped in with 10 points. Eli Woodruff scored 4 points and Cam Ballard added 3 points.