Portland at Lansing Catholic – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 9, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen’s journey is a short one as I am heading from my home on the south side of Lansing to watch the Lansing Catholic Cougars as they host the Portland Raiders in Girls Basketball. Both teams are undefeated in the CAAC-White and this will be an important game for the conference standings. Portland has a 7-0 record and Lansing Catholic comes into the game at 3-3.

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this Christian tune from my You Tube Channel, “Yes I Know!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTcOako-a-w

Portland Coach Jason Haid provided me with this information about his Raider players.

Malia Thelen is a senior point guard who runs the offense, can slash to the basket well and is a fine outside shooter. She is a fierce competitor who is a tough perimeter defender. Lilly Thelen, Malia’s sister is a Sophomore who is an athletic perimeter defender, runs the floor well, slashes to the basket and can hit the three point shot. Alexa Weber is a senior who is a physical defender in the post who provides a lot of leadership. She is a threat scoring in the post and can also hit the three point shot.

Ella Gruber is an excellent perimeter defender and outside shooter who can also attack the rim. Bella Spitzley is an energetic defender who runs the floor and finishes well. Kayla Weber is an athletic post player who defends and rebounds well. She is also a big threat to score at the basket. Ana Babcock brings a good shot and rebounding as well as a lot of hustle to the Raiders.

Summer Stopcynski is an excellent all-around player who is a physical defender and unafraid of contact on offense. She is a versatile scorer. Allyson Logel is a versatile player who is comfortable on the perimeter or in the post. She has a fine outside shot and is a good rebounder.

Erica Russman is an energetic player who defends and rebounds well. She runs the floor hard and can finish at the rim. Bella Heath is an unselfish player with a strong three point shot; she is also an aggressive rebounder. Paige Spedoske is able to play on the perimeter or in the post. She shoots the three point shot well and can also post up to score inside. She slashes to the basket well, also.

Lansing Catholic is the defending state champion; they have only lost one player, Hannah Pricco, who brought a lot of hustle, effort and leadership to the defensive end of the floor as well as being a solid ball handler who made few mistakes on offense.

Their 3-3 record is a bit misleading as all three losses have come to teams that are State powers. Coach Kacee Reid provided this information about her Cougar players.

Senior Twins Anna Richards and Leah Richards are excellent all-around players. Anna is a complete guard who defends the perimeter well, can shoot the three point shot and is an excellent ball handler who can also slash to the basket. Leah Richards is an excellent defender in the post who can score near the basket but also has an excellent three point shot, especially when you note that she is six feet tall.

Gabby Halliwill is a fine ball handler who can run the point and has an accurate three point shot. Morgan Wilcox is a tough interior defender and rebounder. Tessa Roe is the ultimate team player. She is a ball of energy, especially on the defensive end and a solid ballhandler as well as being a willing passer. T.R. Repichowski is an excellent three point shooter. Faith Jungwirth defends and scores well in the post. She is unrelenting with her effort.

I was able to see most of the JV game. Portland got off to a 15-7 lead after one quarter and outscored Catholic 10-6 in the second quarter to take a 25-13 halftime lead. After Catholic scored the first five points of the third quarter, Portland scored five as the third quarter ended with Portland leading 30-18. The Raiders outscored the Cougars 14-7 in the final quarter to win by the final score of 44-25.

Austynn Arellano led Catholic’s scoring with 14 points. Katy Howard added 7 points. Josi Sarata and Grace Wonch each tallied 2 points.

Aaleigha Roberson led the Portland JVs with 18 points. Alexis Hengesbach supported her teammate with 6 points. Lyla Gruber and Carley Bower each scored 4 points. Willa Almy and Grace Gorman each added 3 points. Veda Smith, Lauren Spitzley and Rylee Miller each scored 2 points.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the hopefully observant eyes of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in the olden days when he was considered to be “young.” People criticized his foot speed, but in my defense, I’ll note that most people were a bit slow in the Roman sandals we wore with out uniforms in those by-gone days!

Catholic wins the opening tap. The Cougars miss a driving layup. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Malia Thelen knocks the ball out of bounds; Catholic retains possession. Paige Spedoske knocks the ball away from Catholic, but the Cougars recover. Catholic misses a threeball from the wing. Tessa Roe grabs the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Lily Thelen alertly grabs a loose ball to prevent a Raider turnover. Malia Thelen hits a three point shot from the wing to give Portland a 3-0 lead.

Anna Richards passes to Leah Richards, who launches and hits a threeball from the corner for Catholic to tie the game. Tessa Roe nearly steals the ball for Catholic, but Portland hangs onto it. Portland travels with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting. Somehow, I’m not sure traveling without the ball is terribly newsworthy.) Malia Thelen knocks a pass out of bounds to prevent a Catholic layup. Catholic retains possession. The Cougars misfire on a threeball from the side. Paige Spedoske hits a driving layup to give Portland a 5-3 lead.

Morgan Wilcox passes to Anna Richards, who hits a reverse layup for Catholic to tie the game. Portland misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Alexa Weber grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Malia Thelen hits a two point jumper for Portland. Catholic misses a layup. Portland misses a driving layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Raiders get another opportunity. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Alexa Weber is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to give her Raiders a 9-5 lead with 3:47 to play in the opening quarter.

Tessa Roe passes to Gabby Halliwill, who hits a layup for Catholic. Portland is whistled for a traveling violation. Leah Richards passes to T.R. Repichowski, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Catholic to give the lead to the Cougars. Gabby Halliwill steals the ball and is fouled on a fast break twelve foot shot in the lane. Gabby Halliwill hits two free throws to give Catholic a 12-9 lead with 2:39 to play in the quarter.

Portland drives the baseline and misses a six foot shot. T.R. Repichowski passes to Anna Richards, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Catholic. Portland misses a ten foot shot from the sideline. This time Anna Richards passes to T.R. Repichowski, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Catholic. Morgan Wilcox blocks a Portland baseline jumper. Anna Richards hits a three point shot from the top of the key to give Catholic a 21-9 lead.

Faith Jungwirth blocks a Portland shot in the lane. Catholic misses a shot off the dribble from the free throw line. Faith Jungwirth and Morgan Wilcox apply a fierce double team that causes a Portland traveling violation. Catholic is not able to shoot before the buzzer announces the end of the first quarter.

After one quarter, Lansing Catholic has a 21-9 lead.

Portland inbounds the ball to start out the second quarter. The Raiders travel. Catholic misses a layup. Portland misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Ella Gruber fights for the offensive rebound and Catholic loses the ball out of bounds. Tessa Roe steals the ball for the Cougars and draws a foul. Ella Gruber gets her hand on the ball and a Catholic dribbler loses it out of bounds. Portland throws a pass out of bounds. Catholic reciprocates and throws a pass out of bounds.

Gabby Halliwill steals the ball for the Cougars. Catholic misses a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line. Tessa Roe blocks a Raider triple try from the side. Portland recovers the ball, but misses a driving layup. Tessa Roe drives and dishes the ball to Gabby Halliwill, who hits a threeball from the corner for Catholic. Portland misses a layup. Catholic misfires on a threeball from the side. Paige Spedoske is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to trim Catholic’s lead to 24-10 with 4:49 to play in the second quarter.

Tessa Roe passes to Faith Jungwirth, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Catholic. T.R. Repichowski steals the ball for Catholic and draws a foul. Morgan Wilcox fires the ball to Anna Richards, who is cutting to the basket and scores a layup for Catholic. Malia Thelen is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws for the Raiders. With 3:30 to play in the second quarter, Catholic’s lead is at 29-11.

Kayla Weber gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic takes possession. Catholic is cited for a traveling violation. Portland misses a twelve footer off the dribble from the baseline. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Raiders get another opportunity. Gabby Halliwill knocks a Raider pass out of bounds; Portland retains possession.

Portland misses a ten foot shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Lily Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a fast break layup. Catholic misses a threeball from the wing. Leah Richards pulls down the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Leah Richards blocks a Portland three point shot from the side. Catholic missed a three point shot from the wing. Leah Richards hits a putback to give Catholic a 31-11 lead.

Leah Richards steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Catholic. She is fouled on the play and hits her free throw. Portland misses a twelve footer from the baseline. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Alexa Weber is fouled on the rebound and hits two free throws. With 37.1 seconds to go in the half, Catholic has a 34-13 lead.

Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Portland takes possession. Gabby Halliwill steals the ball for Catholic. Catholic misses a half court heave as the buzzer blares.

Lansing Catholic has a 34-13 lead at halftime.

Malia Thelen leads the Portland scoring at halftime with 6 points and Alexa Weber has 4 points.

Anna Richards has 10 points for Catholic at halftime. Leah Richards has scored 8 points, Gabby Halliwill has 7 points and T.R. Repichowski has 6 points.

As there is no halftime entertainment, I hope you will enjoy these tunes from my You Tube Channel.

Here is a classic pioneering blues tune!! “Blues Stay Away from Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TtsKUnqw7g

And here is an original tune! “A Man Like Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TtsKUnqw7g

Catholic inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Tessa Roes drives and dishes the ball to Morgan Wilcox who hits a layup for the Cougars. Alexa Weber answers with a layup for the Raiders. Morgan Wilcox passes to Tessa Roe, who hits a six foot hook shot in the lane to give Catholic a 38-15 lead.

Gabby Halliwill steals the ball for Catholic. Malia Thelen draws an offensive foul from the Cougars. Lily Thelen passes to Alexa Weber, who fires in a three point shot from the side for Portland. Catholic misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Gabby Halliwill steals a Raider pass and passes to Morgan Wilcox, who hits a fast break layup to give the Cougars a 40-18 lead.

Portland loses a pass out of bounds to end a too fast break. Catholic misses a driving layup. Malia Thelen spins into the lane and hits a five foot banked hook shot for Portland. Gabby Halliwill hits a threeball off the dribble from the corner for Catholic. Malia Thelen drives into the lane and hits an eight foot shot for Portland. Catholic misses a layup. Gabby Halliwill knocks the ball away from Portland, but the Raiders recover. Anna Richards blocks a Raider layup. T.R. Repichowski passes to Gabby Halliwill, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give Catholic a 46-22 lead.

Summer Stopcynski hits a three point shot from the corner for Portland. Erica Russman steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misfires on a triple try from the side. The Raiders steal the ball, but miss a layup. Lily Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for Portland. T.R. Repichowski’s stout defense leads to a Portland traveling violation. The Richards connection comes through as Anna passes to Leah, who hits a layup to give Catholic a 48-25 lead.

Portland drives the baseline and misses a layup. Catholic misses a three pointer from the corner. Lily Thelen is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws. With 2:45 to play in quarter number three, Catholic holds a 48-26 lead.

Portland has a Thelen connection; it comes through as Malia knocks the ball away from Catholic and Lily picks it up for Portland. Portland misses a three point attempt from the top of the key. Erica Russman knocks a Catholic pass out of bounds to foil a fast break. Kayla Weber knocks the ball away from Catholic and Erica Russman picks it up for Portland.

Gabby Halliwill steals a Portland pass in the lane. Ella Gruber steals the ball for Portland. Portland misses a three point attempt from the corner. Catholic misses a long heave as the third quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After three quarters, Catholic has a 48-26 lead.

Portland inbounds the ball to begin the final quarter. The Raiders miss a driving layup and foul on the rebound. Summer Stopcynski knocks the ball away from Catholic and Bella Spitzley picks it up for Portland. Portland misses a threeball from the top of the key. Catholic turns the ball over. Ella Gruber drives and hits a six foot banked hook shot from the side of the lane to trim the Catholic lead to 48-28.

Tessa Roe hits a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane for Catholic. Tessa Roe steals the ball for the Cougars. Catholic misses a three point shot from the corner. Anna Richards steals a Portland pass. Catholic misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Leah Richards steals the ball, goes coast to coast, and hits a fast break layup for Catholic. Lily Thelen is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for Portland. With 4:30 left on the clock, Catholic’s lead is at 52-30.

Catholic missed a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line. Morgan Wilcox gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. Catholic misses a layup. Erica Russman hits a layup for Portland. Catholic misfires on a threeball from the side. Catholic misses a driving hook shot. Morgan Wilcox gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. Gabby Halliwill hits a three point shot for the Cougars. The Richards Connection makes itself known again as Anna steals the ball and passes to Leah, who hits a fast break layup to give Catholic a 57-32 lead.

Portland misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Erica Russman pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Gabby Halliwill steals the ball for the Cougars. Tessa Roe hits a layup for Catholic. Paige Spedoske hits a layup for Portland. Gabby Halliwill passes to Anna Richards, who hits a three point shot for Catholic. A Portland dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Catholic passes the ball around and runs the final minutes off the clock.

Catholic wins this game to move into first place in the CAAC White by the final score of 62-34.

Malia Thelen had 10 points to lead the Portland scoring. Alexa Weber contributed 9 points. Paige Spedoske added 5 points. Summer Stopcynski and Lily Thelen each scored 3 points. Erica Russman and Ella Gruber each tallied 2 points.

Gabby Halliwill had 16 points to lead the Cougar scoring. Leah Richards contributed 14 points and Anna Richards chipped in with 13. T. R. Repichowski and Tessa Roe each put in 6 points. Morgan Wilcox tossed in 4 points and Faith Jungwirth scored 3 points.