Bath at Fulton – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 19, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft

Well, I guess your Bleacher Denizen is not quite as determined as the postman who delivers mail despite, snow, rain, gloom of night and various other challenges. While none of these challenges was a problem, your Bleacher Denizen ran up against a determined and persistent cold virus that kept him out of action all week. Now, he rises again, like a Phoenix from the ashes – – – (OK, more like a sluggish dancing bear from the couch, but I digress) to blog another high school basketball game.

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this Boogie Woogie tune from my You Tube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1MxOus8t44 John Rickert, trumpeter extraordinaire, does a fine job on this one.

The Fulton Pirates enter this game with a 12-7 record, mostly in the Mid-States Activities Conference while the Bath Bees are 14-4, mostly in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference. Both these teams have some fine players!!

Unfortunately, Fulton will have to compete without Kaya Canfield, who is an athletic perimeter defender who also can score on slashes to the basket or shots from the three point line. Kaya’s twin sister Jaci has a very similar skill set and will play tonight. Dayten Lambert is a fine perimeter defender who has excellent three point shooting skills. Olivia Leavitt and Sophia Akin give Fulton a couple more threats from the three point line.

Kalyn Duflo is a fine ball handler and passer. She shoots well from the midrange area and can hit the three point shot. She is an aggressive, determined perimeter defender. Addison Warnke and Lexi Sorah defend and rebound well in the post. Brooklyn Kanous is simply one of the fiercest and most relentless perimeter defenders I have seen this year. I’m not sure she even knows the meaning of the word, “tired.”

Aubri Torok brings a high basketball IQ to the Bath backcourt. She is an excellent scorer who can slash to the basket or hit shots from the three point line. She is an excellent perimeter defender who generates steals that lead to fast break baskets for herself or for her teammates. Kassi Buck is a four year varsity player who runs the point for the bees. She is a fine ball handler, passer and perimeter defender. She runs the offense smoothly and does not make a lot of mistakes.

Aubrey Schaibly is a great defender who rebounds well. On offense, she can score on slashes to the basket or hit shots from the free throw line. Anna Schiably is a good perimeter defender and ball handler who brings a great three point shot to the Bees. She hit a big three point shot to send this game against Fowler into overtime! https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2024/01/27/fowler-at-bath-cmac-girls-basketball-co-game-of-the-week-the-bleacher-denizen-january-26-2024-by-chuck-krafft/

Abby Smith brings toughness, defense, rebounding and scoring to the post for the Bees. Anna Poppema is a solid perimeter defender who can hit shots from the three point line. Kaitlyn Dickey has a fine outside shot; on offense she is a strong outside shooter from the mid range or from three point land.

I was able to get to the gym in time to watch the JV game. Bath got out to a 21-5 lead at halftime and controlled the game the rest of the way. They won by the final score of 48-8.

Andreanna Dassay led the Fulton scoring with 4 points. Katerina Brodska and Jillian Davis each added 2 points.

Eleven different players scored for the victorious Bees. Faith Hughes and Aubrey Dunckel each scored 8 points to lead the Bath JVs. Maci McCrimmon contributed 7 points. Macey Pascoe and Olivia Brimley each added 5 points. Braelynn Barber, Riley Hart and Emily Schneider each notched 3 points. Evelia Solis, Mackenzie Hills and Sophia Perales each tallied 2 points.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the hopefully vigilant and observant eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in times past. Your Bleacher Denizen and his Coach thought they came up with a way to make him an offensive threat when they invented a crane to hold the Bleacher Denizen up near the rim where defenses could not block his shot. Alas, after a couple weeks, an opposing coach created a similar crane for the Bleacher Denizen’s defender. The Bleacher Denizen’s playing time practically disappeared at that point.

Fulton wins the opening tap. Olivia Leavitt passes to Dayten Lambert, who hits a six foot shot from the baseline to give Fulton the first two points of the game. Aubrie Schaibly passes to Kassi Buck, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give Bath the lead. Abby Smith knocks the ball away from Fulton and Kassi Buck picks it up for Bath. Aubri Torok passes to Anna Schaibly, who throws in a threeball from the wing to give Bath a 6-2 lead.

Dayten Lambert passes to Olivia Leavitt, who hits a three point shot from the side to pull Fulton to within one point. Bath is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses its free throws. With 6:20 to play in the opening quarter, Bath’s lead remains at 6-5.

Abby Smith pulls down the offensive rebound from the missed free throw. Bath misfires on a triple try from the corner, but gets the offensive rebound. Aubri Torok passes to Kassi Buck, who hits a layup, is fouled, makes her free throw and gives her Bees a 9-5 lead with 6:05 to play in the first quarter.

Kassi Buck steals the ball for the Bees. Aubri Torok hits a fast break putback for Bath. Aubri Torok blocks a Fulton eight foot shot from the side of the lane. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Fulton gets another possession. Kassi Buck steals the ball for Bath and passes to Aubri Torok, who hits a fast break layup to give Bath a 13-5 lead.

Aubri Torok knocks the ball out of bounds; the Pirates retain possession. Kassi Buck steals the ball for the Bees. Aubri Torok passes the ball to Anna Schaibly, who hits a three point shot from the side for Bath. Kassi Buck knocks the ball away from Fulton and Aubrie Schaibly picks it up for Bath. Bath misses a three pointer from the side. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow and its Cleanup Committee decide to award the ball to the Bees. Jaci Canfield knocks the ball out of bounds to prevent a layup; Bath gets the ball back. Anna Schaibly passes to Kaitlyn Dickey, who hits a three pointer from the wing to give Bath a 19-5 lead.

Lilly Dilday knocks a Pirate pass out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Aubri Torok steals a Pirate pass and hits a fast break layup for the Bees. Fulton misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Kalyn Duflo gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Dayten Lambert hits a fifteen foot jump shot for Fulton. The Pirates steal the ball. Brooklyn Kanous passes to Kalyn Duflo, who hits a layup to trim the Bath lead to 21-9.

Aubrie Schaibly goes coast to coast to hit a layup for the Bees. Aubrie Schaibly steals the ball for the Bees. Bath is cited for a traveling violation. Fulton misfires on a threeball from the wing. Kaitlyn Dickey drives and hits a layup for Bath and the Bees lead 25-9.

Anna Poppema steals the ball for the Bees. Bath misses a layup. Fulton misses a sixteen footer from the baseline. Bath misses a threeball from the corner. Fulton is called for traveling. Olivia Leavitt and Addison Warnke execute a frenetic double team and force Bath to call time out to avoid losing the ball. Bath misses a three point shot from the side. Fulton has no time to shoot before the first quarter buzzer announces its presence.

After one quarter, Bath has a 25-9 lead.

Fulton inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. The Pirates miss a three point shot from the wing. Dayten Lambert knocks the ball away from Bath and forces a turnover because the Bees did not cross midcourt in the required ten seconds. Fulton misses a ten footer off the dribble in the lane. Anna Schaibly passes to Abby Smith, who relays the ball to Aubrie Schaibly. Aubrie Schaibly is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to give her Bees a 27-9 lead with 6:53 remaining in the first half.

Fulton misses a threeball from the wing. Bath is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses two free throws. Kassi Buck’s ferocious defense causes a Fulton traveling violation. Jaci Canfield draws a charging foul from the Bees. Anna Poppema’s defense forces Fulton to bounce a pass out of bounds. Dayten Lambert blocks a Bath fifteen foot shot from the side. Kassi Buck steals the ball for the Bees and hits a fast break layup to give Bath a 29-9 lead.

Fulton misses a three pointer from the side. Dayten Lambert hits a putback for the Pirates. Bath misses a layup. Jordyn Lira gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. Bath misses a layup. Kassi Buck steals the ball for Bath. The Bees miss a fast break layup. Kaitlyn Dickey steals a Pirate pass. Kassi Buck is fouled on a shot and hits one of her two free throws to boost Bath to a 30-11 lead with 3:00 left on the first half clock.

Fulton misses a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane. In a really quick second or so, Bath, then Fulton steals the ball. Your aging Bleacher Denizen apologizes; the game sped up and he was not able to see who made the steals. Fulton loses the ball. Aubri Torok is fouled and hits two free throws to give Bath a 32-11 lead with 2:06 to go in the quarter.

Kassi Buck knocks the ball away from Fulton. Aubrie Schaibly goes coast to coast to hit a layup for Bath. Abby Smith steals the ball for the Bees. Bath misses a fast break layup. Abby Smith is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to boost Bath to a 35-11 lead with 1:15 to play in the first half.

Kassi Buck steals the ball for the Bees. Bath misses a fast break layup. Abby Smith steals a Pirate pass in the lane. Lynnae Podolak steals the ball as the halftime buzzer sounds off.

After one half, Bath has a 36-11 lead.

Dayten Lambert has 4 points to lead the Fulton scoring.

Kassi Buck has 9 points and Aubri Torok has 8 points for Bath. Anna Schaibly and Aubrie Schaibly each have 6 points and Kaitlyn Dickey has 5 points.

As there is no halftime entertainment, I hope you will enjoy these videos from my You Tube Channel! This cover of the Tijuana Brass’ “The Lonely Bull” also features John Rickert on trumpet. (In fact, if you blink at the wrong time, you are possibly in danger of missing my brief appearances!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmJmDiyf3ps

And here is my animated version of “God Bless America!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VraFwDVK2js

Bath inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Anna Schaibly passes to Kassi Buck, who hits a layup for the Bees. Fulton misses a seven foot shot from the side of the lane. Anna Schaibly passes to Kassi Buck, who hits a three point shot from the side for Bath. Kalyn Duflo passes to Sophia Akin, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Fulton. At this point, Bath holds a 41-14 lead.

Bath misses a layup. Aubrie Schaibly gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. Aubrie Schaibly gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. Bath misses a threeball from the top of the key. Anna Schaibly knocks the ball away from Fulton and it is tied up. The Possession Arrow is having tea and crumpets with its Social Committee and misses the play. The ball is awardee to Fulton. Aubri Torok steals the ball for Bath and passes to Kassi Buck, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to give the Bees a 43-14 lead with 5:32 to play in the quarter.

Kalyn Duflo passes to Sophia Akin, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fulton. Jaci Canfield steals a Bee pass. Aubri Torok knocks a Pirate pass out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Fulton misfires on a threeball from the side. Kassi Buck passes to Aubri Torok, who hits a three point shot from the wing to boost the Bees to a 46-17 lead.

Fulton missed a three point shot from the side. Aubri Torok hits a fast break layup for Bath. She is fouled on the play and hits her free throw. Anna Schaibly’s fine defense causes Fulton to lose the ball out of bounds. Lynnae Podolak steals the ball to break up a Bath fast break. Dayten Lambert drives from the side and banks in a six foot shot for Fulton to shave the Bath lead to 49-19.

Bath misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. Kaitlyn Dickey knocks a Fulton pass out of bounds to prevent a layup; the Pirates get the ball back. Aubri Torok knocks the ball away from Fulton and Kaitlyn Dickey picks it up for Bath. Kassi Buck passes to Aubrie Schaibly, who is fouled on a layup. She hits one of her two free throws. Fulton drives and dishes a pass out of bounds. Aubri Torok is fouled and hits two free throws to give Bath a 52-19 lead with 1:54 to play in quarter number three.

Aubrie Schaibly gets her hand on Fulton’s inbound pass and knocks it out of bounds; Bath takes possession. The Bees miss a layup. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow looks up from its mah-jongg game and decides to award the ball to Bath. Aubrie Schaibly drives and hits a layup for Bath and Bath’s lead is at 54-19.

Fulton misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Jaci Canfield gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a three point shot from the corner. Jaci Canfield gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates and passes to Kalyn Duflo, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Fulton. Bath misses a layup at the buzzer.

After three quarters, Bath holds a 54-22 lead.

Fulton inbounds the ball to start out the final quarter. Kalyn Duflo passes to Olivia Leavitt, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Pirates. Lilly Dilday passes to Anna Schaibly, who hits a layup for the Bees. Fulton misses a layup. Lexi Sorah is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for the Pirates. With 7:15 left in the game, Bath has a 56-26 lead.

Lexi Sorah knocks a Bee pass out of bounds; Bath retains possession. The Bees miss a layup. Quinn Chamberlain gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. Lilly Dilday is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to give her Bees a 57-26 lead with 6:43 left on the clock.

Lexi Sorah steals the ball for the Pirates. Olivia Leavitt passes to Sophia Akin, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Pirates. Bath misses a three point shot from the wing. Fulton reciprocates and misses a three point shot from the wing. Lexi Sorah gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a layup. Lexi Sorah hits a putback for Fulton. She is fouled on the play and hits her free throw to cut the Bath lead to 57-32 with 5:43 to go.

Kaitlyn Dickey passes to Kassi Buck, who hits a three point shot from the side for Bath. Fulton misses a three pointer from the wing. Jaci Canfield gets the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Kassi Buck steals the ball for the Bees. Bath misses a banked shot from the side. Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. Destiny Seida steals the ball for the Pirates. Dayten Lambert is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for Fulton. With 4:18 left in the game, Bath’s lead is at 60-34.

Breanna McIntyre steals the ball for Fulton. Dayten Lambert is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws for Fulton. Addison Warnke knocks the ball away from Bath and Breanna McIntyre picks it up for Fulton. The Pirates miss a fifteen foot shot from the side. Dayten Lambert snares the offensive rebound for the Pirates. Fulton misses a layup. Kaitlyn Dickey hits a threeball from the side to give Bath a 63-35 lead.

Fulton misses a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane. Bath misfires on a triple try from the side. Anna Poppema gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. Bath misses a jump shot. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Bath is whistled for a traveling violation. Quinn Chamberlain steals the ball for the Bees. Bath misses a threeball from the wing and fouls on the rebound. Fulton misses two free throws. With 1:36 remaining, Bath’s lead is at 63-35.

Brooklyn Kanous knocks a Bath pass out of bounds and Fulton takes possession. Anna Poppema knocks the ball away from Fulton and forces a tieup. The Possession Arrow has been watching the action for a change and awards the ball to Fulton. Destiny Seida is fouled handling the ball and hits one of two free throws for Fulton. With 50.1 seconds to go, Bath has a 63-36 lead.

Destiny Seida knocks a Bath pass out of bounds; the Bees retain possession. Bath misses a three point shot from the side. Brooklyn Kanous makes a fine save to prevent Fulton from losing the ball. The Pirates miss a twelve foot shot from the baseline as the final buzzer blares.

Bath wins this non-conference game by a 63-36 score.

Olivia Leavitt and Dayten Lambert each had 9 points to lead the Fulton scoring. Sophia Akin scored 6 points. Kalyn Duflo added 5 points. Lexi Sorah had 4 points. Jaci Canfield put in 2 points and Destiny Seida tallied 1 point.

Kassi Buck had 19 points to lead the Bath scoring. Aubri Torok joined her teammate in double figures with 16 points. Aubrie Schaibly scored 9 points. Kaitlyn Dickey and Anna Schaibly each added 8 points. Abby Smith notched 2 points and Lilly Dilday scored 1 point.