Fulton vs. Fowler – – Boys Basketball – – MHSAA District Tournament – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 28, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft

In tonight’s second game of the District Semifinals, the Pirates from Fulton will take on the Eagles from Fowler. Fulton won its district opener against Lansing Christian to advance to this game while Fowler drew a bye and is playing its first game of the tournament. For those who are interested, here is the story of Fulton’s opening game win. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2024/02/27/fulton-vs-lansing-christian-boys-basketball-first-round-district-tournament-the-bleacher-denizen-february-26-2024-by-chuck-krafft/

Also, for those of you who are interested, here is a play by play of the other semifinal between Portland St. Patrick and Fowler. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2024/02/29/portland-st-patrick-vs-bellevue-boys-basketball-district-tournament-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-february-28-2024-by-chuck-krafft/

As we wait for the game to begin, I hope you will enjoy this piano solo version of “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins”!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw2KWzZEUZA

Fowler’s Eagles finished third in the CMAC and enter this game with a 15-7 record. Jacob Halfmann is a junior entering his third year of running the point for the Eagles. He is a tall, athletic perimeter defender who is also able to help defend in the paint. He is a fine ball handler, leader and passer with a good three point shot. He is also able to score at the basket.

Alex Halfmann is in his third year of starting in the post for the Eagles. He is a rugged rebounder and interior defender who also scores well in the lane. He can shoot shots from the three point line when he is open as well. Aaron Simon is an excellent three point shooter who also defends the perimeter well. Asher Koenigsknecht is a quick, determined perimeter defender who can make ball handling difficult for any opponent. He has a lot of stamina and energy. He can shoot from the outside and his quickness makes him effective when he slashes to the basket.

Nathan Hamilton is a solid perimeter defender and three point shooter. Nate Spicer is a tough defensive player who can bull his way to the basket. Brady Feldpausch is a fine perimeter defender who can get hot from the three point line. Augustine Spitzley is a tall, athletic player who is an energetic defender anywhere on the court.

The Fulton Pirates finished second in the Mid-State Activities Conference and have a 17-6 overall record coming into tonight’s game. Bryson Sattler is an aggressive perimeter defender who has developed a knack for barreling to the basket to score. He is also a threat from the three point line. Parker Duflo is an aggressive perimeter defender who handles the point much of the time. He is a fine ball handler and passer who can also get to the basket to score as well as hitting outside shots. Ian Lamkin defends well on the perimeter and has a fine three point shot.

Parker Billings is a fine post defender and rebounder. On offense, he has good hands and can catch the ball inside where his size and footwork gets consistently earns him layups. Peyton Reynolds is an aggressive player in the post. He frequently causes turnovers for opponents. Thomas Thelen is a rugged defender in the post; he, like most Fulton players does not shy away from taking charges.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was not able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in the medieval times when he was actually considered to be “young.” While he tried to be a good passer, it took him too long that to learn that they were only good passes when they were caught by others sharing his uniform color. I guess you don’t score credibility with coaches even if you make opponents extremely happy.

Olivia Wing led things off with a beautiful version of our National Anthem. She had great pitch and she sang a traditional style, which I love. I’m a musician who sings; I get making a lot of songs “your own”, but I have always felt the National Anthem is best sung simply to let the song carry the message!

Fowler wins the opening tap. Zach Halfmann passes to Jacob Halfmann, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give the Eagles the first three points of the game. Bryson Sattler passes to Parker Billings, who hits a layup for the Pirates. Fowler misses a three pointer from the corner. Zach Halfmann grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing.

Fulton loses a pass out of bounds. Fowler spins and misses a layup. Jacob Halfmann forces a Pirate traveling violation on a fast break layup. Jacob Halfmann drives and hits a layup for the Eagles. He is fouled on the play and hits his free throw to make the score Jacob Halfmann 6 Fulton 2 with 5:45 to play in the first quarter.

Fowler fouls before the shot and negates a Fulton layup. Fulton misses a short hook shot in the lane. Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Alex Halfmann grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a driving layup. Fulton misses a threeball from the wing; the rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler takes possession.

A Fowler charging foul negates an Eagle layup. (My apologies to the Fulton player who drew the charge; I always like to post these, but I had a senior moment and forgot to write it in my notes.) Alex Halfmann steals the ball for Fowler and hits a fast break layup. Fulton misses a driving hook shot. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Aaron Simon gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a driving layup. Aaron Simon blocks a Fulton layup. The Pirates recover the ball. Bryson Sattler passes to Ian Lamkin, who hits a three pointer from the side to cut the Fowler lead to 8-5.

Fowler misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. Nathan Hamilton gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Aaron Simon banks in a ten foot shot from the side of the lane for the Eagles. Fulton misses a threeball from the wing. Zach Halfmann passes to Aaron Simon, who hits a three point shot from the side to boost Fowler to a 13-5 lead.

Fulton misses an eight foot banked shot off the dribble from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fulton gets another opportunity. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Nathan Hamilton passes to Jacob Halfmann, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Fowler. A Pirate dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Fulton misses a three point shot from the wing.

Fowler misses a three point attempt from the wing. Fulton is called for a double dribble violation. Fowler holds the ball for the last shot with about 25 seconds to go. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Alex Halfmann pulls down the offensive rebound and hits a six foot shot from the baseline as time expires.

After one quarter, Fowler holds an 18-5 lead.

Fulton inbounds the ball to start the second quarter. The Pirates miss a layup. Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Zach Halfmann gets the offensive rebound and hits a reverse layup for the Eagles. Fulton commits an over and back violation. Fowler misses a layup. Alex Halfmann blocks a Fulton six foot shot in the lane. The Pirates are given a technical foul. Aaron Simon hits two free throws to give Fowler a 22-5 lead with 6:21 left in the half.

Fowler inbounds the ball after the technical foul. The Eagles miss a six foot shot in the lane. Fulton drives the baseline, but misses a layup. Aaron Simon passes to Asher Koenigsknecht, who hits a layup for Fowler. Jacob Halfmann steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to push Fowler to a 26-5 lead.

Fulton misses a layup. Fowler misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. A Fulton ball handler slips on the floor and is called for traveling. Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler gets the ball.

Parker Billings steals the Eagle inbound pass. The Pirates miss a three point shot from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler takes possession. Fowler misses a twelve foot shot in the lane. Parker Duflo passes to Ian Lamkin, who hits a three pointer from the wing to trim the Fowler lead to 26-8.

Aaron Simon responds by hitting a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Jacob Halfmann steals a Fulton pass. He passes to Asher Koenigsknecht, who hits a fast break layup for the Eagles. Nate Spicer steals the ball for Fowler. The Eagles miss a three point shot from the side. Fulton throws a pass out of bounds. Asher Koenigsknecht drives and hits a layup for Fowler. He is fouled on the play and makes his free throw to give Fowler a 34-8 lead with 1:26 to play in the first half.

Bryson Sattler passes to Parker Billings, who hits a layup for Fulton. Fulton misses a three point shot from the side. Nathan Hamilton gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a three pointer from the side. Augustine Spitzley gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Bryson Sattler is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws for Fulton. With 25.9 seconds remaining in the first half, Fowler has a 34-11 lead.

Fowler holds the ball for the last shot. The Eagles miss a twelve foot shot in the lane. Fulton misses a heave as the halftime buzzer announces the period is over.

Fowler has a 34-11 lead at halftime.

Ian Lamkin leads Fulton’s scoring with 6 points.

Jacob Halfmann has 11 points and Aaron Simon has 10 points for Fowler.

While we wait for halftime to end, I hope you will enjoy a couple videos from my You Tube Channel.

Here’s “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” with a couple humorous breaks in the middle and at the end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUieaBvS38w

Here’s a duet with my friend Mark Wilcox where it is noted that I am “Too Old to Cut the Mustard!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6GOgZAHqxI

Fowler inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Alex Halfmann is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws for the Eagles. Parker Duflo reacts quickly to prevent a Fulton bad pass from becoming a turnover. Jacob Halfmann knocks the ball away from Fulton and Zach Halfmann picks it up for Fowler. The Eagles miss a fast break layup. Alex Halfmann gets the offensive rebound, dribbles across the lane and hits a six foot banked shot to give Fowler a 37-11 lead.

Fulton misses a driving layup. Thomas Thelen plays tough defense and forces a Fowler traveling violation. Fulton misses a threeball from the wing and fouls on the rebound. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing; the rebound goes out of bounds and Fulton takes possession. Fulton misses a layup. Fowler misses a driving layup and fouls on the rebound. Donovan Shinaver backs into the lane and is fouled on an eight foot turnaround jump shot. Donovan Shinaver hits one of his two free throws to trim the Eagle lead to 37-12 with 4:17 to play in the quarter.

Fowler misses a driving layup. Aaron Simon grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler throws a pass out of bounds. Augustine Spitzley steals the ball for the Eagles. Aaron Halfmann is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws for the Eagles to give them a 38-12 lead with 3:24 to play in the quarter.

Aaron Simon closely guards a Pirate player for five seconds and Fulton turns the ball over. Fowler misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. A Fulton dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Asher Koenigsknecht drives and hits an eight foot shot from the side of the lane for Fowler. Fulton is fouled, but misses two free throws. With 1:35 remaining in the third quarter, Fowler has a 40-12 lead.

Fowler is whistled for a traveling violation. Aaron Simon steals the Fulton inbound pass. Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Parker Duflo is fouled on the rebound and hits two free throws for Fulton. Fowler misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Augustine Spitzley grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Augustine Spitzley is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to give Fowler a 41-14 lead with 1:04 to play in quarter number three.

Zach Halfmann passes to Aaron Simon, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Aaron Simon knocks a Pirate pass out of bounds; Fulton retains possession. Parker Billings dribbles and hits a nice eight foot hook shot from the baseline as the third quarter buzzer goes off.

After three quarters, Fowler has a 44-18 lead.

Fulton has the ball to start out the final quarter. The Pirates are called for an illegal screen. Fowler misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Bryson Sattler is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of his two free throws for Fulton. A Fowler traveling violation negates a layup. Fulton misses a ten footer from the side and fouls on the rebound. Fowler misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Zach Halfmann gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Aaron Simon is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give his Eagles a 45-19 lead with 6:11 left on the clock.

Bryson Sattler drives and hits a layup for Fulton. Bryson Sattler steals the ball for the Pirates and is fouled on a fast break layup. Bryson Sattler makes two free throws for Fulton. Jacob Halfmann drives and hits a layup for Fowler. The Pirates miss a three point shot from the wing. Thomas Thelen hits a putback for Fulton. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 5:01 to go, Fowler’s lead is at 47-25.

Asher Koenigsknecht drives and hits a reverse layup for Fowler. Fulton misses a layup. Fowler reciprocates and misses a layup. Parker Duflo is fouled and hits one of his two free throws for Fulton. Fowler misses a layup. Augustine Spitzley grabs the offensive rebound for the pirates. Aaron Simon passes to Asher Koenigsknecht, who cans a threeball from the wing for Fowler. Fulton misses a shot. Aaron Simon is fouled and hits two free throws to give Fowler a 54-26 lead with 3:37 remaining.

Nate Spicer knocks the ball away from Fulton, but the Pirates recover. Nate Spicer steals the ball for the Eagles. Connor Cunningham steals the ball for the Pirates. Nate Spicer ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow and its Lonely Hearts Clue vote to give the ball to Fowler. Fowler turns the ball over. Fowler refuses to let Fulton inbound the ball in the required five seconds and gets the ball back. Alex Halfmann drives and is fouled on a layup. He hits two free throws and Fowler has a 56-26 lead with 2:17 to play in the game.

Bryson Sattler is fouled on a ten foot shot in the lane and hits two free throws for Fulton. Fowler commits a traveling violation. Parker Duflo is fouled on an eight foot shot off the dribble from the side and hits two free throws for Fulton with 59.0 seconds left. Fowler runs out the clock.

Fowler wins this game by the score of 56-30 and will play St. Patrick in Friday’s District Final.

Bryson Sattler led the Fulton scoring with 8 points. Parker Duflo put in 7 points. Ian Lamkin and Parker Billings each added 6 points. Thomas Thelen had 2 points and Donovan Shinaver tallied 1 points.

Aaron Simon led the victorious Fowler team with 15 points. Asher Koenigsknecht contributed 14 points and Jacob Halfmann chipped in with 13 points. Alex Halfmann joined his teammates in double figures with 10 points. Augustine Spitzley and Zach Halfmann each scored 2 points.