Williamston at Portland – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 3, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Today, your Bleacher Denizen is on his way back home from Ferris State University, where he covered the Women’s Basketball game between Ferris State and Saginaw Valley. Portland High is on the way home, so that is where the Bleacher Denizen is headed tonight. The Hometown Raiders will host the Hornets from Williamston. Portland enters the game with a perfect 6-0 record while Williamston is at 2-5.

Dom Novara, the senior who is also the quarterback of Portland’s fine football team is coming back from an injury. He is an excellent ball handler who is a big threat to score either on drives to the basket or from the three point line where he can either catch the ball or shoot off the dribble. He is one of three Portland senior starters who have played on the varsity since they were freshman.

Another of these four year varsity players is Evan Gross. He is a complete guard who defends the perimeter well, handles the ball well, passes accurately and can score either on slashes to the basket or with an excellent three point shot. Christopher Battley is the other fourth year varsity player. He is a tough rebounder, scorer and defender in the post. Physical play does not faze him in the least!

Dom Novara and Christopher Battley have both missed much of the season with injuries. I believe this is the first game Dom Novara will be playing.

Kayden Dickerson is a fine rebounder and interior defender who is a fine athlete and tough to stop when he drives to the basket. Tej Virk is tall enough to defend near the basket and quick enough to defend on the perimeter. He has a solid three point shot and is a good ball handler. Keaton McGregor is a fine perimeter defender who can hit shots from the three point line. Levi Nobis is an energetic perimeter defender. Carson Simon and Owen Moore are strong three point shooters.

Williamston Coach Koji Vroom provided me with this information about his Hornet players. Tommy Pratt is a tall, athletic player who defends and rebounds well in the post. On offense, he can slash to the basket for dunks or layups and is a threat from the three point line as well. Jacob Martin runs the point where is is a solid perimeter defender and passer. He is also a threat from the three point line.

Zach Kulesza is a tall player who defends and rebounds well in the post. He is a strong three point shooter as well. Brayden Johnson is the only Hornet player who played much last year. He is an aggressive guard who excels at attacking the basket. He is a solid perimeter defender and a team leader who give Williamston another strong three point shooter.

Williamston won the freshman game. I was able to see almost the entire JV game.

Portland’s JVs got out to a 9-5 first quarter lead and extended the lead to 24-15 at halftime. The teams each scored nine points in the third quarter; Portland had a 33-24 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Portland got off to a good start in the fourth quarter and took a 39-26 lead. Williamston’s JVs scored the next nine points on two three point baskets by Kyle Supangco and one by freshman Luke Criscuolo to pull within four points at 39-35. The Hornets pulled to within three points on two free throws by Kyle Supango with 17.4 seconds, but Joe Nobis hit three of four free throws to keep Portland on top.

Williamston pulled within two points at 49-47 when Gavin Beck was fouled with 3.4 seconds left and hit one of his two free throws. Williamston got the offensive rebound from the second missed free throw and called timeout. Owen Galey stole the Williamston inbound pass and Portland won the game by the final score of 49-47.

Kyle Supangco led the Williamston JVs with 19 points. Gavin Beck joined his teammate in double figures with 12 points. Luke Criscuolo contributed 5 points. Tommy McGuire and Parker Friess each tossed in 3 points. Max Kingdinger and Max Sinke each added 2 points. Harper Tolbert tallied 1 point.

Kehyan Page led the victorious Portland JVs with 17 points. Derek LeDu contributed 10 points and Liam Wolfe chipped in with 8 points. Deacon Townsend tossed in 5 points. Joe Nobis added 4 points including some crucial free throws near the end of the game. Carson Pung scored 3 points and Jerred Russman had 2 points.

I see that we will be listening to the dulcet tones of Dave Pettit, the former Raider basketball coach as he announces the game tonight. It’s always fun to listen to Dave in action!

It is now time to review the events of this game through the aging lenses of an ancient Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league back in the days of yore when he attempted to play. He was showing some promise as a shot blocker, but everything fell apart when the basketball powers that be ruled that he was no longer allowed to use his pogo stick to help him jump.

Portland wins the opening tap. The Raiders miss a driving layup. Kayden Dickerson hits a putback for the Raiders. The Raiders still the ball, but are quickly whistled for a traveling violation. Williamston misfires on a threeball from the corner. Tej Virk passes to Christopher Battley, who hits a fast break layup to give Portland a 4-0 lead.

Evan Gross steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misfires on a threeball from the wing and fouls on the rebound. Williamston misses a ten footer off the dribble from the baseline. Jacob Martin snares the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Williamston misses a jump shot. Noah Pfeifle steals the ball for the Hornets. Brayden Johnson is fouled on a shot and hits two free throws to trim the Raider lead to 4-2 with 5:24 remaining in the opening quarter.

Evan Gross passes to Tej Virk, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Williamston is whistled for an offensive foul. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Owen Moore grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three pointer from the corner. Brayden Johnson is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws to make the score Portland 6 Brayden Johnson 3 with 4:15 to play in the first quarter.

Drew Kersten knocks the ball away from Portland, but the Raiders are able to recover. Portland misses a three pointer from the wing. Owen Moore taps the offensive rebound to Evan Gross, who drives and hits a six foot shot in the lane for Portland. Tommy Pratt drives and hits a layup for Williamston. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Brayden Johnson passes to Jacob Martin, who is cutting to the basket. Jacob Martin hits a layup to cut the Portland lead to 8-7.

Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Zach Kulesza steals the ball for the Hornets and Brett Palmer hits a fast break layup to give the Hornets a 9-8 lead.

Evan Gross passes to Tej Virk, who hits a ten foot shot in the lane for the Raiders to retake the lead. Williamston misses a driving layup. Evan Gross passes to Tej Virk, who hits a threeball from the wing for Portland. Williamston misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Evan Gross drives and dishes the ball to Tej Virk (who else?), who hits a three point shot from the corner as the first quarter buzzer decides to end the period.

Portland scored eight unanswered points near the end of the first quarter to take a 16-9 lead.

Williamston inbounds the ball to start out the second quarter. The Hornets miss a three point shot from the top of the key. Portland misses a three pointer from the side. Williamston misses a driving layup. Zach Kulesza gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets and passes to Brett Palmer, who hits a three point shot from the side to trim the Raider lead to 16-12.

Evan Gross passes to Dom Novara, who hits his first basket of the year for the Raiders; it was an eight footer from the baseline. Williamston misses a layup. Brayden Johnson nabs the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Williamston misses a layup. Evan Gross passes to Dom Novara, who is cutting to the basket. Dom Novara is fouled on his shot and hits one of his two free throws to push Portland to a 19-12 lead with 6:00 left in the first half.

Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. Noah Pfeifle breaks up a Raider fast break by stealing the ball. Brayden Johnson is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of his two free throws for the Hornets. Portland misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Brayden Johnson is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to cut the Portland lead to 19-15 with 5:06 left in the opening half.

Owen Moore passes to Dom Novara, who hits a three point shot from the side for Portland. Zach Kulesza passes to Tommy Pratt, who hits a jump shot from the free throw line for Williamston. The Raiders misfire on a three pointer from the side. Evan Gross steals the ball for the Raiders. Williamston steals the ball, but a bad pass leads to a Hornet over and back violation. Portland misses a three point attempt from the side. Zach Kulesza emphatically blocks a Portland three point shot from the side. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Portland gets another opportunity.

The Raiders miss a three pointer from the top of the key. Jacob Martin hits a fast break reverse layup for Williamston to chop the Portland lead down to 22-19.

Portland misses a twelve footer off the dribble from the side of the lane. Williamston misses a threeball from the wing. Tej Virk passes to Keaton McGregor, who hits a three point shot from the side for the Raiders. Jacob Martin passes to Zach Kulesza, who hits a three point shot from the side for Williamston. Kayden Dickerson passes to Evan Gross, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Williamston just before the halftime buzzer.

After one half, Portland has a 28-22 lead.

Brayden Johnson leads the Williamston scoring at halftime with 6 points and Brett Palmer has 5 points.

Tej Virk leads Portland with 10 points. Dom Novara has 6 points and Evan Gross has 5 points.

Portland has the ball to get quarter number three underway. Kayden Dickerson drives and hits a fast break layup for the Raiders. Tommy Pratt is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws for Williamston. Portland misses a ten foot shot from the side. Brayden Johnson passes to Drew Kersten, who slings in a threeball from the corner for Williamston. Tommy Pratt blocks a Raider layup. Brayden Johnson passes to Zach Kulesza, who banks in a three pointer from near the top of the key to chop the Raider lead to 30-29.

Owen Moore passes to Evan Gross, who is cutting to the basket and hits a layup for the Raiders. Williamston throws a pass out of bounds. Drew Kersten knocks the Portland inbound pass out of bounds; the Raiders retain possession. Portland misses a three pointer from the side and fouls on the rebound. Jacob Martin drives and dishes the ball to Brayden Johnson, who slings a threeball from the wing through the rim to tie the game at 32-32.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Kayden Dickerson is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to retake the lead for Portland. Drew Kersten passes to Zach Kulesza, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Williamston a 35-34 lead.

Evan Gross inbounds the ball to Dom Novara, who throws in a threeball from the corner to retake the lead for Portland. Williamston misses a layup. Zach Kulesza grabs the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Tommy Pratt drives and slams the ball through the hoop for Williamston to tie the game at 37-37.

Brayden Johnson knocks the ball away from Portland; Evan Gross goes way into the backcourt to retrieve the ball for the Raiders. Dom Novara hits a fifteen foot shot off the dribble from the wing to retake the lead for Portland. Williamston misfires on a threeball from the top of the key. Kayden Dickerson makes a slick up and under move to hit a layup for Portland. He is fouled on the play and sinks his free throw to give his Raiders a 42-37 lead with 1:42 remaining in quarter number three.

Brett Palmer drives and hits an eight foot shot from the baseline for Williamston. Tej Virk is fouled on a six foot banked runner and hits two free throws for Portland. Zach Kulesza drives and is fouled on a six foot shot from the baseline for Williamston. He hits two free throws to trim the Raider lead to 44-41 with 47.8 seconds to play in the quarter.

Portland breaks the Williamson press. Tej Virk drives and dishes the ball to Christopher Battley, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. Portland misses a three pointer from the wing as the third quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

With three quarters in the books, Portland holds a 46-41 lead.

Williamston inbounds the ball to start the fourth quarter. The Hornets miss a three point shot from the side. Brett Palmer throws the offensive rebound off a Portland player to secure another possession for Williamston. The Hornets commit an offensive foul. Portland misses a driving layup. Dom Novara gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portladn misses a layup. Dom Novara hits a putback for Portland. Brayden Johnson hits a layup for Williamston to trim the Portland lead to 48-43.

Tej Virk hits a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane for Portland. Williamston misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. Portland misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Noah Pfeifle passes to Brett Palmer, who tosses in a three pointer from the side to cut the Raider lead to 50-46.

Noah Pfeifle ties up the ball for Williamston. The Possession Arrow is sorting its fishing lures and misses the play; the ball is awarded to Portland. Dom Novara passes to Evan Gross, who hits a three point shot from the wing to boost the Portland lead to 53-46.

Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. Zach Kulesza blocks a Raider layup; the loose ball goes out of bounds and Portland gets another opportunity. The Raiders miss a ten foot banked shot from the side of the lane. Williamston misses a threeball from the top of the key and fouls on the rebound. Evan Gross drives and dishes the ball to Owen Moore, who hits a three point shot from the side to stretch the Portland lead to 56-46.

Noah Pfeifle passes to Zach Kulesza, who strokes a threeball from the corner to cut the Williamston lead to seven posts. Zach Kulesza plays tough defense and forces a Portland traveling violation. Kayden Dickerson knocks a Williamston pass iknto the lane out of bounds; the Hornets retain possession. Williamston misses a three point shot from the wing. Evan Gross drives and hits a layup for Portland. Brayden Johnson drives and hits a layup for Williamston. He is fouled on the play and injured. A teammate comes in to shoot for him, but misses his free throw. With 2:23 remaining in the game, Portland has a 58-51 lead.

Portland misses a driving six foot shot in the lane. Brett Palmer passes to Tommy Pratt, who hits a layup for Williamston. Evan Gross dribbles around and around and takes about thirty seconds off the clock. Williamston fouls Tej Virk, who hits two free throws to give Portland a 60-53 lead with 1:01 left in the game. (One of Williamston’s starters fouled on out the play.)

Brett Palmer drives and hits a layup for Williasmston. Williamston’s stern defense forces Portland to call timeout with a five point lead and 32.8 seconds to play. Kayden Dickerson throws a full court pass to a teammate who is fouled, but misses both his free throws. Jacob Martin passes to Zach Kulesza, who hits a three point shot from the wing to cut the Portland lead to 60-58.

Dom Novara is fouled and hits two free throws with 13.2 seconds left to give Portland a four point cushion. Owen Moore gets a hand on the ball and Williamston loses it out of bounds. Owen Moore is fouled and hits two more free throws for Portland with just 4.3 seconds to go. Williamston misses a three pointer from the side as the game ends.

Portland wins this game by the final score of 64-58.

Zach Kulesza led the Williamston scoring with 17 points. Brayden Johnson scored 13 points and Brett Palmer chipped in with 12 points. Tommy Pratt added 9 points. Jacob Martin scored 4 points. Drew Kersten tossed in 3 points.

Tej Virk led Portland’s scoring with 16 points. Dom Novara supported his teammate with 15 points. Evan Gross joined his teammates in double figures with 12 points. Kayden Dickerson contributed 9 points. Owen Moore chipped in with 5 points and Christopher Battley had 4 points. Keaton McGregor added 3 points.