Fowler at Fulton – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – November 28, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

It may be a cliche, but sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In Fulton’s opening game, they will be coached by Mr. Walden. However, last year, the Coach was Todd Walden, who had coached Fulton since I started the blog in 2010 and for some time before that. He wound up with 376 victories to go with a finals appearance, three final four appearances, four Regional Titles (since 2010, when I started the blog) and numerous district titles. Kudos to Coach Walden on an excellent tenure as the Pirate basketball coach.

This year, a new Coach Walden is on the sideline for Fulton, Todd’s son, Tyler. Tyler was a magnificent three point shooter who helped lead Fulton to the final game in 2011. It will be fun to see how he does as a coach. Up to this year, he had been the Junior Varsity Coach for I think a couple years; now it is his time to step up to the varsity. I wish him well.

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this video from my You Tube Channel. It is technically past Thanksgiving, so I hope it’s time for “Snoopy’s Christmas.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1pZCnDBHL0

The Fowler Eagles will be visiting the Fulton Pirates. Since it is the first game of the season, I guess it’s not much of a surprise that both teams are beginning the game with a 0-0 record. Both teams were really good about giving me some background information about their players.

Jacob Halfmann is a junior, but he is already entering his third year as Fowler’s point guard. On offense, he runs the team and has all the skills you would expect from a seasoned point guard. He handles the ball well, shoots the three point shot with accuracy, is good at attacking the basket and shooting off the dribble and also is a fine passer who involves his teammates in the offense. On defense, he is tall for a point guard, so he is able to apply a lot of pressure and also defends well in the post when he needs to do that.

Alex Halfmann is a junior beginning his third year as a starter in the post. He is a strong rebounder and post defender who gets a lot of putbacks. He also has developed three point range. Aaron Simon is an excellent three point shooter and solid perimeter defender.

Asher Koenigsknecht is a literal ball of energy. His hustle makes him an absolutely ferocious perimeter defender who can rattle any ball handler. He is a solid three point shooter and can also score on drives to the basket. Zach Halfmann, Fowler’s other starter is an athletic defender who is at home on the perimeter or near the basket.

Nathan Hamilton is a fine perimeter defender who is a threat from the three point line. Nate Spicer is a strong perimeter defender who slashes to the basket well. Brady Feldpausch is a tough perimeter defender who is also a big threat from the three point line. Augustine Spitzley is tall and athletic. He is a tough defender and rebounder in the post and agile enough to guard on the perimeter when he has to do that.

For Fulton, Ian Lamkin is a solid defender on the perimeter and a solid shooter from the free throw line. Bryson Sattler is a tough perimeter defender. Parker Billings scores, defends and rebounds well in the post. Thomas Thelen is a strong player who excels at post defense, rebounding, setting screens and all the unsung physical things that every basketball team needs. Peyton Reynolds also is a good post defender. Parker Duflo is a good perimeter defender and ball handler who can hit the threeball.

It was a busy day for your Bleacher Denizen. This afternoon, I played my first Christmas show of the season at a senior home near Bath and then made my way to the Middleton Diner. On Tuesdays, they have pork chops on their buffet and I know no restaurant that can make pork chops as good as the diner. After a great dinner (one huge pork chop and a salad), it was time to come over to the Fulton gym to see the games.

I got there in time to see most of the JV game. Fowler got off to a 32-8 lead after one quarter and won 82-14.

Cameron Diana led Fulton’s scoring with 5 points. Lincoln Warren scored 4 points. Korbin Marecek added 3 points and Zach Litwiller tallied 2 points.

Isaac Thelen led the Fowler JVs with 24 points. Jonah Thelen contributed 14 points and Aidan Riley joined his teammates in double figures with 10 points. Colt Nobach and Levi Travis each scored 9 points. Garrett Klein added 8. Dylan Pline had 6 points and Quentin Smith put in 2 points.

It is now time to review the varsity game through the glazed lenses of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the ancient times when he was actually considered to be “young.” Alas, it was too late when he learned that his coach was not being complementary when he said I played “matador defense.” I suppose I sealed my fate one time when my coach saw me shouting “Ole” and waving my arm to lead the ball handler streaking past me toward the basket.

Fowler wins the opening tap. The Eagles miss a layup. The Pirates reciprocate and miss a layup. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. Fulton misses a three point attempt. Thomas Thelen dives and secures the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Alex Halfmann steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Jacob Halfmann snares the offensive rebound for the Eagles.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Fulton misses a layup. Parker Billings nearly steals the ball and knocks it out of bounds. Fulton takes possession. Parker Billings passes to Thomas Thelen, who is fouled on a layup and sinks his two free throws to give Fulton a 2-0 lead with 4:48 remaining in the first quarter.

Fowler is assessed with a traveling violation. Jacob Halfmann steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to tie the game for the Eagles. Fulton misses a banked hook shot. Asher Koenigsknecht bursts into the lane and hits an eight foot jumper to give Fowler a 4-2 lead.

Fulton loses the ball out of bounds. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. Nate Spicer pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Aaron Simon gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misfires on a threeball from the wing. Asher Koenigsknecht steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Fowler to give the Eagles a 6-2 lead.

Jacob Halfmann closely guards a Fulton ballhandler for five seconds and the Pirates turn the ball over. Connor Cunningham steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton misses a fast break layup. Nate Spicer hits a fast break layup for the Eagles. Fulton turns the ball over. Jacob Halfmann drives the lane and hits a layup for the Eagles. Fulton misses a driving eight foot shot in the lane. Aaron Simon is fouled and hits two free throws to boost Fowler to a 12-2 lead with 37.6 seconds to play in the first quarter.

Parker Duflo hits a fast break layup for Fulton. Jacob Halfmann is fouled on an eight foot shot on the baseline and makes two free throws with 3.6 seconds left in the quarter. Fulton misses a three pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer.

After one quarter, Fowler has a 14-4 lead.

Fulton inbounds the ball to get the second quarter underway. The Pirates miss a layup. Parker Billings taps the ball away from Fowler and Bryson Sattler picks it up for Fulton. Parker Duflo passes to Ian Lamkin, who hits a reverse layup for the Pirates. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Fowler misses a three pointer from the wing. Parker Hungerford passes to Ian Lamkin, who sinks a threeball from the wing for Fulton to trim the Fowler lead to 14-9.

Bryson Sattler steals the ball for Fulton. Nate Spicer steals the ball for Fowler. Fowler misses a layup. Nate Spicer gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Asher Koenigsknecht steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow consults its legal staff and decides to award the ball to Fowler.

The Eagles miss a driving runner. Asher Koenigsknecht gets the offensive rebound for Fowler. Fowler misses a three pointer from the side, but gets the offensive rebound. Parker Billings blocks an Eagle six footer in the lane. Bryson Sattler passes to Ian Lamkin, who hits a three point shot from the side to shave the Eagle lead to 14-12.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Fulton misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. Jacob Halfmann is fouled on a driving six foot shot and hits one of his two free throws for Fowler. Bryson Sattler gets the ball to Ian Lamkin, who drills another three pointer for Fulton that ties the game at 15-15.

Jacob Halfmann passes to Aaron Simon, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Eagles. Augustine Spitzley knocks the ball away from a Fulton dribbler on a baseline ball; the Pirates retain possession. Aaron Simon knocks a Pirate pass out of bounds; Fulton again retains possession. Fulton misses an eight foot shot from the side of the lane. Jacob Halfmann is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws to give Fowler a 19-15 lead with 3:10 to play in the first half.

Parker Hungerford slings a pass to Parker Duflo, who sinks a three point shot from the side for the Pirates. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Fulton turns the ball over. Augustine Spitzley hits a fast break layup to give Fowler a 21-18 lead.

Fulton misses a threeball from the corner. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Fulton is assessed with a traveling violation. Ian Lamkin steals the ball for Fulton. Fulton is fouled on a driving runner, but misses two free throws. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Nathan Hamilton grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup at the buzzer.

At halftime Fowler has a 21-18 lead.

Jacob Halfmann leads the Fowler scoring with 8 points and Aaron Simon has 5.

Ian Lamkin has 11 points for Fulton.

While we wait for the second half to begin, I hope you will enjoy a couple videos from my You Tube Channel.
“Won’t be Alone Too Long” is an original rocker featuring the legendary Frog on guitar!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1_qnhfMT2k

This not so classic video of the not so classic song “Chopsticks” is a hopeful attempt at comedy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqXxw1t5V0

Fulton has the ball to open the third quarter. Zach Halfmann steals a Pirate pass. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Alex Halfmann gets the long offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a threeball from the corner. Bryson Sattler hits a ten foot shot off the dribble from the baseline to pull Fulton to within one point. Fowler misses a jump shot. Parker Billings drives and is fouled on a layup. He hits one of his two free throws to tie the game at 21-21 with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter.

Fowler misses a driving six foot shot from the side of the lane and fouls on the rebound. Zach Halfmann steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give Fowler the lead. Zach Halfmann steals the ball and is fouled on a fast break layup. He hits one of his two free throws and Fowler leads 24-21 with 5:24 remaining in the quarter.

Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fulton gets the ball. Zach Halfmann steals the ball for the Eagles. Jacob Halfmann hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for Fowler. Alex Halfmann blocks a Fulton layup. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Fulton reciprocates and misses a threeball from the side. Fowler misses a driving layup. Zach Halfmann pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Jacob Halfmann hit an eight foot shot from the side to give the Eagles a 28-21 lead.

Brady Feldpausch blocks a Fulton layup. Parker Billings blocks a Fowler layup. Fowler recovers the ball, but misses a three point shot from the baseline. Fowler spends a bit of time playing volleyball against the board; finally the ball gets passed out to Brady Feldpausch, who hits a three point shot from the corner for the Eagles. Jacob Halfmann steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give Fowler a 33-21 lead.

Alex Halfmann knocks the ball away from a Fulton dribbler; the ball goes out of bounds and the Pirates retain possession. Fulton loses control of the ball and commits a foul. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get the ball back.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Zach Halfmann knocks the ball away from Fulton and Alex Halfmann picks it up for Fowler. Alex Halfmann is fouled on a fast break dunk, and hits one of his two free throws. Alex Halfmann steals a Pirate pass and is fouled on a fast break layup. He hits one of his two free throws to give Fowler a 35-21 lead with 1:23 remaining in quarter number three.

Asher Koenigsknecht draws an offensive foul from the Pirates. Connor Cunningham returns the favor and draws an offensive foul from the Eagles. Fulton is not able to inbound the ball in the required five seconds and turns it over. Asher Koenigsknecht is fouled on a driving hook shot and hits two free throws to give Fowler a 37-21 lead with 50.4 seconds to play in the quarter.

Zach Halfmann gets his hand on a Pirate pass, but Fulton is able to recover. Fulton misses a driving layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler takes possession. Aaron Simon hits a sixteen foot shot from the wing at the buzzer.

Fowler takes a 39-21 lead into the fourth quarter after scoring 18 consecutive points to end the period.

Fowler has the ball to open the fourth quarter. Zach Halfmann drives and hits a layup; he is fouled but misses his free throw. Jacob Halfmann pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Zach Halfmann drives and hits a layup for the Eagles. Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. Fowler misses a driving layup. Jake Halfmann nearly steals the ball for Fowler, but Parker Duflo dives to recover the ball for Fulton. The Pirates lose the ball out of bounds. Jacob Halfmann passes the ball to Asher Koenigsknecht, who hits a three point shot from the corner to push the Eagle lead to 46-21.

Fowler steals the ball. They miss a fast break shot, but get the offensive rebound. Fowler misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Fulton misses a threeball from the corner. Fowler drives the baseline and misses an eight foot banked shot. Fowler gets the offensive rebound. Connor Cunningham hits an eight foot banked shot from the side to break a twenty-five point Fowler scoring run. Fowler now leads 46-23.

Fowler misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Alex Halfmann hits a putback for the Eagles. Asher Koenigsknecht steals the ball for Fowler. Peyton Reynolds draws a charging foul from Fowler. Nate Spicer is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give Fowler a 49-23 lead with 4:05 left on the clock.

Ian Lamkin drives the baseline and hits a layup for Fulton. Fowler misses a driving layup. A Fulton dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Fowler misses a driving layup. Fowler steals the ball and misses a layup. Iam Lamkin makes an alert hustle play when he throws the ball off an Eagle player and out of bounds to save the Pirate possession. Fulton commits a travelling violation. Nate Spicer spins and hits a left handed banked hook shot for Fowler. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 2:14 to go, Fowler’s lead is at 51-25.

Fulton misses a layup. Parker Billings snags the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a layup, but gets the offensive rebound. The Pirates turn the ball over. Fowler misses a layup and Fulton fouls on the rebound. Gavin Luark is fouled and hits two free throws to give Fowler a 53-25 lead with 1:19 to play.

Fulton misses a driving layup. Thomas Thelen blocks a Fowler layup. Adam Duflo is fouled on a threeball from the wing and hits two of his three free throws for Fulton. Fowler misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Fulton misses two free throws with 36.0 seconds left. Fowler runs out the clock.

Fowler wins this non-league season opener by the score of 53-27.

Ian Lamkin scored 13 points to lead the Fulton scoring. Parker Duflo contributed 5 points. Parker Billings added 3 points. Thomas Thelen, Connor Cunningham and Bryson Sattler each tallied 2 points.

Jacob Halfmann had 14 points to lead Fowler. Asher Koenigsknecht supported his teammate with 9 points. Aaron Simon and Zach Halfmann each added 7 points. Nate Spicer scored 5 points. Alex Halfmann had 4 points. Brady Feldpausch put in 3 points. Gavin Luark and Augustine Spitzley each scored 2 points.