Central Montcalm at Charlotte – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 29, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft

There is a rumor that there are some Hornets coming to Charlotte and they will be trying to sting Hornets. While this does sound awful, upon further checking, I learned that this is going to be a girls basketball game! Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen is driving to Charlotte where the Orioles will host the Hornets from Central Montcalm.

While we wait for this game to start, I hope you will enjoy this vintage blues tune from my You Tube Channel!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TtsKUnqw7g

Charlotte enters this game with a 3-10 record. When I saw the Orioles play a couple weeks ago, I learned the following about the Oriole players from Coach Erin Gutierrez-Harbor. Jaelyn Baker is a strong defensive and offensive point guard. She leads the team well, sets up the offense and handles the ball. She is a tough scorer who can drive to the basket or hit the outside shot. Peyton Howarth is a great three point shooter. Avery Silvas plays tough, energetic perimeter defense and runs the fast break well.

Lyndi Miller is a versatile player who can defend the perimeter or the post. She can score in the lane, but she also has solid range on her three point shot. Baylee Moore brings energy to the Oriole defense. She is another player who runs the fast break well. Lyla Crisculol is able to defend all over the floor as well. She can score in the post or from the outside. Emma Carns is a tough, gritty post player who rebounds and scores well in the lane. Kayle Pugh is a good post scorer.

Central Montcalm enters this game with a 5-6 record. Coach Rob Putnam provided me with this information about his Hornet players. Karlie Bacon is a fine, agressive perimeter defender who is able to get a lot of steals. On offense, she’s a threat to slash to the basket and can also hit shots from the three point line. Emily Putnam is a fine scorer who is adept at slashing to the basket. She also is a good midrange and three point shooter. She is a versatile defender who can cover opponents in the post or on the perimeter.

Jordan Peterson is a tough post defender and rebounder who is also tough to stop near the basket. Braelyn Bunting runs the point for the Hornets. She is a strong perimeter defender and brings speed to the Hornet backcourt. She is a fine passer and ball handler who also rebounds well for a guard. Kendall Stout is a versatile player who can defend on the perimeter or in thee post. She has a good three point shot, but can score near the basket as well.

Makayla Peterman and Presley Barnett are good perimeter defenders. Julianna James and Erin MInikey are strong post defenders and good rebounders.

It is now time to look at the events of this game through the occasionally open eyes of a Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. Because he could not learn to understand that it was necessary to pass the ball only to players wearing the same uniform, his church league coach was not comfortable giving him much playing time.

Charlotte wins the opening tap. The Orioles miss a threeball from the side. They get the offensive rebound and Lyndi Miller hits a layup to give Charlotte the first two points of the game. Jordan Petersen passes to Emily Putnam, who hits a layup for Central Montcalm to tie the game. Jaelyn Baker hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow to give Charlotte a 4-2 lead.

Central Montcalm misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Charlotte misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Jaelyn Baker gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a layup. Avery Silvas steals the ball for the Orioles. Jaelyn Baker hits a twelve foot shot from the side for Charlotte. A Central Montcalm dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Charlotte misses a layup. Jaelyn Baker hits a putback to boost the Orioles to an 8-2 lead.

Baylee Moore steals the ball for Charlotte. The Orioles are whistled for a traveling violation. Karlie Backon passes to Emily Putnam, who hits a layup for Central Montcalm. Kendall Stout taps the ball away from Charlotte, but the Orioles recover. Charlotte bounces a pass out of bounds. akendall Stout drives from the wing and hits a layup to trim the Charlotte lead to 8-6.

Charlotte misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. Kendall Stout bounces the ball to Emily Putnam, who hits a layup for Central Montcalm to tie the game. Charlotte misses a triple try from the corner. Lyndi Miller gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Kendall Stout blocks an Oriole layup. Central Montcalm misses a driving layup. Jaelyn Baker passes to Baylee Moore, who hits a layup to give her Orioles a 10-8 lead.

Lyndi Miller’s tough defense causes a Hornet dribbler to lose the ball out of bounds. Karlie Bacon ties up the ball for Central Montcalm. The Possession Arrow was watching kitten videos on Instagram; it misses the play. Karlie Bacon’s great hustle goes for naught as the ball is awarded to Charlotee. The Orioles misfire on a threeball from the wing. Central Montcalm misses a layup. Emily Putnam gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Emily Putnam hits a ten foot shot from the side for the Hornets to tie the game at 10-10.

Kendall Stout knocks the ball off a Charlotte player and out of bounds; Central Montcalm takes possession. Avery Silvas steals the ball for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a layup. Julianna James passes to Erin Minikey, who hits a layup to give Central Montcalm the lead. Kendall Stout steals the ball as the first quarter buzzer arises from its nap and blares loudly.

After one quarter, Central Montcalm has a 12-10 lead.

The Hornets inbound the ball to get the second quarter started. They turn the ball over. (Your aging Bleacher Denizen apologizes for missing how it happened, but in any case, the Orioles get the ball.) Charlotte misses a ten foot shot from the side. Erin Minikey passes to Emily Putnam, who hits a threeball from the wing to boost the Central Montcalm lead to 15-10.

Charlotte misses a fifteen foot shot from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Orioles get another opportunity. Peyton Howarth inbounds the ball to Jaelyn Baker, who hits a threeball from the side to pull her Orioles to within two points. Central Montcalm’s possession goes a bit off as the ball gets loose, but Makayla Peterman alertly slaps the ball to a teammate who is fouled as she shoots a layup. Central Montcalm misses both free throws. With 6:39 to play in the first half, the Central Montcalm lead remains at 15-13.

Emily Putnam gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Central Montcalm misses a layup. Emily Putnam hits a putback for the Hornets. Emily Putnam steals the ball for the Hornets. Jaelyn Baker blocks a Hornet layup. The ball goes out of bounds and Charlotte takes possession. Jaelyn Baker passes to Lyndi Miller, who throws in a threeball from the side for Charlotte to chop the Central Montcalm lead to 17-16.

Baylee Moore ties up the ball for the Hornets. The Possession polls its Summer Extravaganza Decorations Committee and they agree that Ms. Moore has earned a possession for her Orioles. Braelyn Bunting steals the ball for the Hornets. Central Montcalm misses a fast break layup. Charlotte misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane. Braelyn Bunting hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow to boost Central Montcalm to a 19-16 lead.

Jaelyn Baker passes to Dakota Smith, who hits a layup to cut the Hornet lead to one point. Baylee Moore steals the ball for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a fast break layup. Jaelyn Baker gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. The ball gets loose and its tied up. The Possession Arrow looks up from its exercise video and gives the ball to Central Montcalm. Lyndi Miller gets her hand on the ball, but Central Montcalm is able to recover. The Hornets miss a shot, but get the offensive rebound. Emily Putnam drills a fifteen foot shot from the side to give Central Montcalm a 21-18 lead.

Julianna james knocks the ball out of bounds; the Orioles get the ball back. Jaelyn Miller drives the lane and hits a layup for Charlotte. Karlie Bacon drives and hits a layup for the Hornets. Central Montcalm’s lead is at 23-20.

Karlie Bacon knocks a pass out of bounds to prevent an Oriole layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Charlotte gets another opportunity. Braelyn Bunting steals the ball for Central Montcalm. The Hornets are cited for a traveling violation. Charlotte sets an illegal screen and is assessed with an offensive foul. Central Montcalm misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Julianna James gets her hand on the ball, but Charlotte recovers. Karlie Bacon steals the ball for Central Montcalm and passes to Braelyn Bunting, who hits a layup to boost the Hornets to a 25-20 lead.

Charlotte misses a fourteen footer from the side and fouls on the rebound. Lyndi Miller knocks the ball away from a Central Montcalm dribbler and out of bounds; the Hornets retain possession. Central Montcalm misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Charlotte gets the ball. Charlotte misses a five foot banked hook shot.

Dakota Smith gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Charlotte is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws with just 38 seconds left in the half. Jaelyn Baker ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow and its Senior Advisory Council meet and decide to award the ball to Charlotte. The Orioles miss a sixteen foot shot from the side. Central Montcalm misses a long three point shot from the side as the second quarter buzzer announces its presence.

At halftime, Central Montcalm holds a 25-20 lead. If basketball traditions are observed, I believe that Central Montcalm will also have a 25-20 lead at the start of the third quarter.

Jaelyn Baker leads Charlotte’s scoring at halftime with 9 points and Lyndi Miller has 7 points.

Emily Putnam has 15 points and Braelyn Bunting 4 points for Central Montcalm.

As there is no halftime entertainment, I hope you will enjoy these two videos of original tunes from my You Tube Channel!!

“A Man Like Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTdeYRUEOkc

“Won’t be Alone Too Long” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1_qnhfMT2k

As I look up at the scoreboard, I am secretly proud that as I predicted, the score at the start of the third quarter does have Central Montcalm leading by 5 points at 25-20. The mind boggles at the ability of the Basketball Powers that Be to make this happen so consistently!!

Central Montcalm inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Baylee Moore knocks the ball away from the Hornets and Lyndi Miller picks it up for the Orioles. The Orioles misfies on a triple try from the side. Central Montcalm misses a twelve foot shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Charlotte takes possession. Jaelyn Baker bounces the ball to Peyton Howarth, who hits a layup to trim the Central Montcalm lead to 25-22.

Central Montcalm misses a three point shot from the side. Braelyn Bunting steals the ball for the Hornets. Central Montcalm is issued a traveling violation. Charlotte fumbles a pass out of bounds. Lyla Criscuolo knocks the ball away from Central Montcalm, but the Hornets are able to recover. Jaelyn Baker steals a Hornet pass. Lyla Criscuolo picks up a loose ball to prevent an Oriole turnover. Charlotte travels on a drive to the basket.

Lyndi Miller blocks a Central Montcalm driving layup. The Hornets recover the loose ball. The Hornets miss a layup and briefly get the offensive rebound, but Jaelyn Baker quickly steals the ball for the Orioles. Charlotte misses an eight foot jumper off the dribble from the baseline. Central Montcalm misses a three point shot from the side. Jaelyn Baker is fouled on a fast break layup and sinks two free throws to chop the Hornet lead to 25-24 with 4:31 remaining in quarter number three.

Jaelyn Baker blocks a Hornet jumper from the free throw line; the ball goes out of bounds and Central Montcalm gets another possession. Kendall Stout is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to give Central Montcalm a 27-24 lead with 3:49 to go in the quarter.

Peyton Howarth banks in a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line to pull Charlotte back to within one point. Karlie Bacon passes to Kendall Stout, who hits a fourteen footer in the lane for Central Montcalm. Charlotte misses a three point shot from the side. Lyndi Miller gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles and passes to Jaelyn Baker, who hits a ten foot shot in the lane to shave the Central Montcalm lead to 29-28.

Charlotte’s defense keeps Central Montcalm from crossing midcourt and the Hornets call timeout to avoid a turnover (for failing to cross the midcourt line in ten seconds.) Jaelyn Baker knocks the ball out of bounds; the Hornets retain possession. Central Montcalm misfires on a three pointer near the top of the key and fouls on the rebound. Emily Putnam steals the ball for the Hornets. Braelyn Bunting passes to Jordan Petersen, who banks in a six foot shot to give Central Montcalm a 31-28 lead.

Jaelyn Baker drives and hits a layup to pull Charlotte back to within one point. Central Montcalm misses a layup; Erin Minikey hits a putback for the Hornets to give Central Montcalm a 33-30 lead.

Charlotte misses a three point shot from the side. Jaelyn Baker’s tough defense as the ball is being brought up to the front court forces a Hornet traveling violation. Jaelyn Baker grabs a loose ball to prevent an Oriole turnover and hits a five foot shot from the baseline to whittle the Central Montcalm lead down to one point at 33-32.

Central Montcalm misses a layup. Jordan Petersen stands tall in the lane and forces a Charlotte traveling violation. The third quarter buzzer gets it together and buzzes to negate a Central Montcalm ten foot basket shot just a millisecond too late.

With three quarters in the books, Central Montcalm has a 33-32 lead.

Charlotte has the ball to open the final quarter. The Orioles travel with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting. Somehow, I doubt traveling without the ball would be all that newsworthy.) Charlotte’s full court press causes Central Montcalm to lose a pass out of bounds. Charlotte misses a driving layup. Karlie Bacon passes to Jordan Petersen, who hits a layup as she is fouled. She misses her free throw. With 7:15 remaining in the contest, Central Montcalm has a 35-32 lead.

Kendall Stout rebounds the missed free throw for Central Montcalm. The Hornets misfires on a triple try from the corner. Karlie Bacon steals the ball and hits a layup for Central Montcalm. Charlotte misses a layup. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow and its legal staff decree that the ball shall be given to Central Montcalm. Payton Howarth deflects a Central Montcalm pass, but the Orioles are able to recover. Jordan Petersen passes to Karlie Bacon, who hits a layup to boost the Hornets to a 39-32 lead.

Charlotte loses the ball out of bounds. Central Montcalm reciprocates and loses the ball out of bounds. Charlotte misses a driving layup. Jaelyn Baker grabs the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Jaelyn Baker knocks the ball out of bounds; Central Montcalm gets the ball bsack. Kendall Stout gets into the lane and hits an eight foot shot to push her Hornets to a 41-32 lead.

Karlie Bacon steals the ball for Central Montcalm. Jaelyn Baker steals the ball for Charlotte. The Orioles are fouled on a fast break layup, but miss two free throws. Central Montcalm misses a sixteen foot shot from the side. Kendall Stout steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give Central Montcalm a 43-32 lead.

Charlotte misses a ten foot hook shot from the baseline. Jaelyn Baker snares the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a layup. Peyton Howarth gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a threeball from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Orioles get another opportunity. Kendall Stout gets her hand on the ball, but Charlotte is able to hang onto it.

Charlotte travels as it shoots a layup. Charlotte plays inspired defense. Central Montcalm fails to inbound the ball in the required five seconds and turns the ball over. Charlotte misses a layup. Central Montcalm is fouled on a driving layup, but misses twl free throws. With 2:46 left on the clock, Central Montcalm’s lead remains at 43-32.

Charlotte misses a three point attempt from the wing. Julianna James passes to Kendall Stout, who spins and hits a layup for the Hornets. Charlotte loses the ball out of bounds. Lyndi Miller gets her hand on the ball and knocks it out of bounds. Central Montcalm gets the ball back. Jordan Petersen is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to give Central Montcalm a 46-32 lead with 1:51 to play.

Jordan Petersen blocks a Charlotte eight foot shot from the side. Baylee Moore steals the ball for Charlotte. The Orioles miss a fast break layup. Lyla Criscuolo blocks a Hornet fast break layup; the ball goes out of bounds and Central Montcalm gets it back. Baylee Moore steals the ball for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Central Montcalm runs out the clock.

Central Montcalm wins this non-conference game by the final score of 46-32.

Charlotte’s Jaelyn Baker led all scorers with 17 points. Lyndi Miller supported her teammate with 7 points. Peyton Howard added 4 points. Baylee Moore and Dakota Smith each tallied 2 points.

Emily Putnam led the victorious Central Montcalm team with 15 points, all in the first half. Kendall Stout scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half. Karlie Bacon contributed 6 points. Jordan Petersen notched 5 points. Braelyn Bunting and Erin Minikey each scored 4 points.