Fulton at Saranac – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – December 5, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen’s journey takes him to Saranac, where the Red Hawks will host the Fulton Pirates in the girls’ basketball season opener. (Someday, I hope to learn how to obtain the gravitas that will allow me to refer to my travels as an “odyssey.” I figure it would enhance the blog’s “coolness appeal.”)

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this duet of “Too Old to Cut the Mustard.” (Hopefully your Bleacher Denizen is not too old to write blogs!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6GOgZAHqxI

I made the drive to Saranac on nice dry roads and got there about halfway through the first quarter of the JV game. This gave me time to briefly interview both coaches to learn about some of the players on this year’s roster.

Fulton Coach Brandon Trefil provided me with this information about his Pirate players. Junior Twins Jaci Canfield and Kaya Canfield are excellent perimeter defenders and versatile scorers who can hit the three point shot or slash to the basket. Dayten Lambert is also a threat from the three point line and a tough perimeter defender as well. Olivia Leavitt and Sophia Akin are big threats from the three point line.

Kalyn Duflo is a fine ballhandler and passer who shots well in the midrange or from the three point line. She is also an aggressive perimeter defender. Addison Warnke and Lexi Sorah are both strong post defenders and rebounders. Brooklyn Kanous is an energetic perimeter defender.

Saranac Coach Chance Wells was also generous with his time and information about his Red Hawk players. Maycee Reed is an excellent post defender, rebounder and scorer. Abigail Janson brings leadership, strong defense either in the post or on the perimeter and a nice midrange jumper to the Red Hawks. Madison Trahan defends well in the post or on the perimeter and has an accurate three point shot.
Mya Griffin runs the point where she is a fine ball handler, passer, three point shooter and perimeter defender. Kayla Sterzick is a team captain and provides the Red Hawks with accurate team shooting. Winnie Harder and Brianna Barnes are energetic, tough perimeter defenders. Delaney Reagan is a fine shot blocker and aggressive defender who gets her share of steals. She can defend any position and also has an accurate midrange shot.

Saranac got out to a 20-2 halftime lead and eventually won the JV game by the score of 55-12.

Macie Akers led Fulton’s scoring with 6 points. Lillian Reynolds added 4 points and Jillian Davis supplied 2 points.

Raeann Johnson led the victorious Red Hawk JVs with 17 points; Madeline Vickery supported her teammate with 16 points. Alexis Smus joined her teammates in double figures with 12 points. Sadie Trahan and Gracie Smith each added 4 points. Abby Miles tallied 2 points. Riley Robinson contributed at least two rebounds and one assist to the Red Hawk cause.

It is now time to report the events of this game through the occasionally clear prism of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in ancient times. Many people criticized the Bleacher Denizen’s lateral quickness, but in my defense, the Roman sandals we wore on the court in ancient times were difficult for most basketball players’ lateral movement.

Fulton wins the opening tap, but commits an over and back violation. Saranac misses a layup; the rebound is tied up and the Possession Arrow decreed that the Red Hawks shall get the ball back. Dayten Lambert taps the ball out of bounds; Saranac retains possession. The Red Hawks miss a layup.

Maycee Reed knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Madison Trahan blocks a Fulton layup. Saranac is whistled for an offensive foul. Sophia Akin passes to Dayten Lambert, who is fouled as she shoots a layup. Dayten Lambert hits two free throws to give her Pirates a 2-0 lead with 6:23 remaining in the first quarter.

Jaci Canfield knocks the ball out of bounds; Saranac gets the ball back. Sophia Akin steals the ball for the Pirates. Abigail Janson steals a Fulton pass. Saranac misses a three point shot from the wing. Fulton is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws. Mya Griffin passes to Winnie Harder, who hits a layup for Saranac to tie the game at 2-2.

Mya Griffin knocks the ball away from Fulton; the Pirates are able to recover. Fulton misses a threeball from the side. Jaci Canfield steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give Fulton a 4-2 lead.

Winnie Harder passes to a Red Hawk teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both her free throws. Delaney Reagan knocks the ball out of bounds; the Pirates get the ball back. Fulton misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Brooklyn Kanous snares the offensive rebound for the Pirates.

Saranac ties the ball up; the Possession Arrow is watching its daily soap operas and misses the play; the ball is awarded to Fulton. Fulton misses a jump shot. Kaya Canfield pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 3:33 remaining in the first quarter, Fulton’s lead remains at 4-2.

Dayten Lambert blocks a Saranac jumper from the free throw line. Brianna Barnes knocks the ball away from Fulton and Kayla Sterzick picks it up for Saranac. Dayten Lambert steals a Saranac pass. Fulton misses a fifteen footer from the side. Lexi Sorah gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misfires on a triple try from the wing. Maycee Reed passes to Kayla Sterzick, who throws in a threeball from the top of the key to give Saranac a 5-4 lead.

Fulton misses a ten foot shot from the side. Jaci Canfield knocks a pass out of bounds to prevent a Red Hawk layup. Saranac retains possession. Saranac misses a reverse layup. Fulton misse a three point shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Saranac is fouled, but misses two free throws. With 58.9 seconds to play in the first quarter, the Saranac lead remains at 5-4.

Fulton misses a three pointer from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Pirates get the ball back. Dayten Lambert inbounds the ball to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses her free throws. Brooklyn Kanous steals the ball for the Pirates. Dayten Lambert banks in a twelve foot shot from the side to give the lead back to Fulton. Brooklyn Kanous steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton misses a jumper, but gets the offensive rebound. Fulton misses another jumper; Brooklyn Kanous hits a putback as the first quarter buzzer sounds off.

After one quarter, Fulton has an 8-5 lead.

Saranac inbounds the ball to get the second quarter underway. Olivia Leavitt steals a Red Hawk pass. Delaney Reagan knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. The Pirates miss a three pointer from the wing. Saranac ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow consults its advertising committee and decides that Fulton will get the ball back. In a deja vu moment, Delaney Reagan knocks the ball out of bounds and Fulton gets the ball back. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Mya Griffin hits a three point shot from the wing for Saranac to tie the game at 8-8.

Winnie Harder steals the ball for the Red Hawks and passes to Mya Griffin, who hits a layup to give Saranac a two point lead. Mya Griffin knocks the ball away from Fulton and Delaney Reagan grabs it for Saranac. Saranac is fouled on a jump shot, but misses two free throws. With 6:18 to play in the second quarter, Saranac’s lead remains at 10-8.

Winnie Harder steals a Pirate pass. Saranac misses a fast break layup. Maycee Reed steals the ball for the Redskins. Kaya Canfield steals the ball for the Pirates and hits a fast break layup to tie the game. Brooklyn Kanous gets her hand on the ball and Saranac loses it out of bounds. Jaci Canfield passes to Kalyn Duflo, who banks in a three point shot from the wing to give her Pirates a 13-10 lead.

Kaya Canfield steals the ball for Fulton. Fulton misses a fast break layup. Jaci Canfield is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to give Fulton a 14-10 lead with 5:04 remaining in the first half.

Jaci Canfield knocks the ball away from Saranac, but the Red Hawks are able to recover. Jaci Canfield dives to knock the ball out of bounds; Saranac again retains possession. Saranac misses a three point shot. Winnie Harder snags the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a layup. Maycee Reed knocks a Pirate pass out of bounds, but Fulton gets the ball back. Abigail Janson steals the ball for Saranac. Brooklyn Kanous steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give Fulton a 16-10 lead.

Saranac is whistled for a traveling violation. Jaci Canfield finds Kalyn Duflo on the side where she launches and hits a three point shot for Fulton. Brooklyn Kanous steals the ball for the Pirates and Dayten Lambert hits a fast break layup to boost the Pirates to a 21-10 lead.

Saranac is fouled, but misses two free throws. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Jaci Canfield steals a Red Hawk pass. Delaney Reagan steals the ball for Saranac and is fouled. She hits one of her two free throws to trim the Fulton lead to 21-11 with 2:09 remaining in the first half.

Brianna Barnes gets the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misfires on a threeball from the side. Maycee Reed gets the offensive rebound for Saranac and is fouled. She hits one of her two free throws. Fulton misses a three pointer from the wing. Sophia Akin hustles to grab the loose ball from the rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac gets the ball.

Sophia Akin’s rigorous defense forces a Saranac traveling violation. Fulton misses a driving layup. Saranac loses the ball out of bounds. Fulton misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Maycee Reed is fouled an hits one of her two free throws to trim the Fulton lead to 21-13 with 39.9 seconds to go in the half.

Fulton is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws. Winnie Harder passes to Maycee Reed, who hits a layup for Saranac. Abigail Janson knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Delaney Reagan knocks a Pirate pass out of bounds; Fulton again retains possession. The Pirates miss a fifteen foot shot from the wing as the halftime buzzer makes its presence known.

At halftime, Fulton holds a 21-15 lead.

Mya Griffin leads Saranac at halftime with 5 points and Maycee Reed has 4 points.

Dayten Lambert and Kalyn Duflo each have 6 points at Halftime to lead Fulton. Brooklyn Kanous has 4 points.

As there is no halftime entertainment for tonight’s game, we can listen to a couple videos from my You Tube Channel (hopefully!)

Here is an original rocker where Lansing Legend Frog plays some amazing guitar!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1_qnhfMT2k

While I hope I was not too old to cut the mustard at the beginning of the game, this not so classic rendition of the not so classic “Chopsticks” may make some people wonder. (Or maybe you’ll enjoy the attempt at comedy!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqXxw1t5V0

Saranac has the ball to begin the second half. Sophia Akin blocks a Red Hawk layup. Fulton loses the ball out of bounds. Kalyn Duflo’s sticky defense forces Saranac to carry the ball and turn it over. Abigail Janson steals the ball for the Red Hawks. Kaya Canfield kicks the ball out; Saranac retains possession. Saranac misses a threeball from the side; Fulton reciprocates and misses a threeball from the side; the Pirates also foul on the rebound. Saranac is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws. With 6:18 to go in quarter number three, Fulton’s lead remains at 21-15.

Kalyn Duflo passes to Sophia Akin, who hits a three point shot from the side to boost Fulton to a nine point lead. Dayten Lambert ties the ball up. The Possession Arrow and its events committee award the ball to the Pirates. Maycee Reed blocks a Pirate layup. Saranac misses a ten foot shot from the side and a putback. Dayten Lambert drives and dishes the ball to Kaya Canfield, who hits a layup to boost the Pirate lead to 26-15.

Maycee Reed responds by hitting a layup for Saranac. Delaney Reagan steals the ball and passes to Madison Trahan for a layup that trims Fulton’s lead to 26-19.

Fulton misses a layup. Kaya Canfield grabs the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a layup. The rebound is tied up; the Possession Arrow consults its Magic 8 Ball and awards the ball to Saranac. Raeann Johnson passes to Madison Trahan, who hits a layup for Saranac to shave the Fulton lead to 26-21.

Dayten Lambert passes the ball to Kaya Canfield, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for the Pirates. Madison Trahan is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Saranac. With 4:24 to play in quarter number three, Fulton’s lead is at 28-22.

Madison Trahan knocks the ball out of bounds to break up a Pirate fast break; Fulton retains possession. Madison Trahan steals a Pirate pass. Saranac misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Fulton bounces a pass out of bounds. Saranac misses a driving layup. Delaney Reagan snares the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a short jumper. Winnie Harder steals the ball for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a fast break layup. The rebound is tied up and this time the Possession Arrow decrees that Fulton shall have the ball.

The Pirates misfire on a triple try from the wing. Saranac misses a layup. Winnie Harder grabs the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Raeann Johnson gets the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Dayten Lambert gets her hand on the ball and Saranac loses it out of bounds.

Fulton misses a three pointer from the side. Jaci Canfield gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a three point attempt from the wing. Saranac misses a three point attempt bear the top of the key. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow has a big decision to make. The Ouija Board tells the Possession Arrow to give the ball to Saranac and it does. Jaci Canfield steals the ball for the Pirates. Kalyn Duflo gets into the lane and hits a thirteen foot jump shot to give Fulton a 30-22 lead.

Saranac misses a three pointer from the wing. Maycee Reed is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for Saranac. Kaya Canfield is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to give Fulton a 32-23 lead with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter.

Saranac misses a jump shot from the free throw elbos. The rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac gets another opportunity. Saranac is fouled, but misses two free throws. Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. Jaci Canfield ties the ball up; the Possession Arrow is impressed with her hustle and awards the ball to Fulton without consulting anyone. Kayla Sterzick steals the ball for Saranac. Olivia Leavitt steals the ball for Fulton; she drives and hits a layup to boost the Fulton lead to 34-23.

Kaya Canfield steals a Red Hawk pass. Fulton is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws with just 5.1 seconds left in the third quarter. Brooklyn Kanous steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton misses a half court heave at the buzzer.

After three quarters, Fulton has a 34-23 lead.

Saranac has the ball to open the final quarter. The Red Hawks miss a three point shot from the side. Mya Griffin gets the offensive rebound for Saranac. Delaney Reagan drives from the side and hits a layup for Saranac. Delaney Reagan tips the inbound pass and Fulton loses it out of bounds. Saranac misses a layup. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Saranac traels with the rebound. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side.

Saranac misses a driving layup. Mya Griffin gets her hand on the ball and Fulton loses it out of bounds. Kalyn Duflo knocks the ball away from Saranac and Dayten Lambert ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow is a big fan of Dayten Lambert’s hustle and nominates her for sainthood. It also awards the ball to Fulton. Jaci Canfield reacts quickly to grab a loose ball to save Fulton’s possession. Jaci Canfield passes to Brooklyn Kanous, who hits a layup that gives Fulton a 36-25 lead.

Saranac loses the ball out of bounds. Mya Griffin knocks the ball out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Dayten Lambert inbounds the ball to Kaya Canfield, who hits a layup for the Pirates. Dayten Lambert steals the ball for Fulton. The Pirates miss a fast break layup. The rebound is tied up and the Possession Arrow grants the ball to Saranac. Kalyn Duflo knocks the ball out of bounds; Saranac gets the ball back. Mya Griffin passes to Maycee Reed for a layup that trims the Fulton lead to 38-27.

The Canfield connection makes itself known as Jaci passes to Kaya for a Pirate layup. Kaya Canfield steals the ball for the Pirates. Dayten Lambert hits a long three point shot from the side to push the Pirate lead to 43-27.

Saranac misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane. Maycee Reed gets the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Winnie Harder drives and hits a layup for Saranac. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Pirates get another opportunity. Abigail Jansen knocks a Pirate pass into the lane out of bounds; Fulton gets the ball back. Dayten Lambert passes to Jaci Canfield, who hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow to give her Pirates a 45-29 lead.

Madison Trahan is fouled on a ten foot shot in the lane and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Fulton lead to 45-30 with 3:07 left on the clock.

Fulton missees an eight foot shot in the lane. Addison Warnke steals the ball for the Pirates. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Saranac loses a pass out of bounds. Fulton misses a driving layup. Olivia Leavitt gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a threeball from the side. Saranac misses a fast break layup.

Abigail Janson steals the ball for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a three point shot near the top of the key. Fulton bounces a pass out of bounds. Brianna Barnes passes to Winnie Harder, who hits a layup for the Red Hawks. Winnie Harder steals the ball for Saranac. Saranac is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses two free throws. With 35.9 seconds remaining, Fulton’s lead is at 45-32.

Delaney Reagan steals the ball for Saranac. Addison Warnke steals the ball for Fulton and the Pirates dribble out the clock.

Fulton wins this non-league contest by a 45-32 score.

Maycee Reed led the Saranac scoring with 9 points Madison Trahan and Winnie Harder each contributed 6 points. Mya Griffin tossed in 5 points. Kayla Sterzick and Delaney Reagan each tallied 3 points.

Kaya Canfield led the victorious Fulton Pirates with 12 points. Dayten Lambert supported her teammate with 9 points. Kalyn Duflo chipped in with 8 points. Brooklyn Kanous scored 6 points. Jaci Canfield added 5 points. Sophia Akin scored 3 points. Olivia Leavitt had 2 points.