Saranac at Potterville – – CMAC Boys Co-Game of the Week – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 17, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen is driving to Potterville where the Vikings will host the Red Hawks from Saranac. Saranac is 3-5 in the CMAC and 5-7 overall. Potterville is 2-6 in the CMAC and 2-9 overall.

Brody Stanton runs the point for the Red Hawks. He is a fine ball handler and runs the offense well. He is a good rebounder who can slash to the basket either to pass to a teammate or to score. Cody Whipple is the team’s best scorer. He can shoot from the three point line; he also is a threat when he attacks the basket and can hit the mid-range shot.

Eli Lauer is the Red Hawk’s top perimeter defender. He leads the press and does a lot of the important things that don’t always end up in the box score as a glue guy. Brayden Griffin, Kotlen Janse and John Sterzick are capable three point shooters. Unfortunately, Jordan Dodge, who would have been a starter is injured and out for the season.

Potterville Coach Austin Morgan provided me with this information about his Potterville players. Jacob Bishop is a senior playing his fourth year of varsity basketball. He is a tough defender and rebounder in the post. He is a solid post scorer who throws a lot of good passes and can hit the three point shot. Isaiah Woloszyn is a junior in his third year on the varsity. He is an active, athletic perimeter, who gets a lot of offensive rebounds (especially for a perimeter guy) and can hit the three point shot.

Ezzy Taylor was an All-State defensive back and this athletic ability combined with his intensity makes him a ferocious perimeter defender. He is a great passer and leads his team in assists. He gets a lot of points off his steals. Drew Morales is big for a guard; he runs the point for the Vikings. He is good at handling the ball while avoiding turnovers. He can either score on slashes to the basket or hit the three point shot.

Andrew Wright is a big man in the middle for Potterville. He is a strong defender in general and an excellent shot blocker. He is also a fine rebounds. Reid Jackson and Elijah Pung are scorers who excel from the three point line.

I got to the JV game at the end of the first quarter; Potterville’s JVs held a 17-10 lead at that point. The teams each scored twelve points in the second quarter; Potterville had a 29-22 halftime lead. The Vikings outscored the Red Hawks 13-11 in the third quarter and took a 43-33 lead into the fourth quarter.

Saranac’s JVs did not give up; they pulled to within 47-40 after two three point baskets by Rejz Conner with about 4:40 left in the game. Potterville scored the next five points on a putback by Isaiah O’Neil and a three pointer by Greg Croze to boost the lead to 52-40.

Saranac kept pecking away and got back to within seven points on a Jace Smit passed to Rejz Conner, who hit another threeball to cut Potterville’s lead to 52-45, but Julian White hit two free throws on the next Viking possession. Potterville led 54-45 with 1:06 to go and controlled the game the rest of the way. The Vikings ended up winning the JV game by the final score of 59-47.

Rejz Conner scored 19 points to lead the Saranac JVs and Austin Haller supported him with 17 points. Jace Smit, Grabriel Thomas and Brock Hopkins each totaled 3 points; Dionne Gils tallied 2 points.

Greg Croze had 30 big points to lead the Viking JVs. Nick Morales and Tooker Harris each contributed 7 points. Jeremy Schram, Isaiah O’Neil and Julian White all pitched in with 4 points. Blake Pulda had 2 points and Ethan Woloszyn added 1 point.

The Potterville prep band entertained between the games with a lot of classic standards including “Boogie Shoes” by K.C. and the Sunshine Band and “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis (among others.) Band Director Jim Smith then put down his tuba and did a great job singing the National Anthem! (As I am a musician myself, I always love to salute a musical job well done!)

For those of you who may be curious, here is a link to my latest YouTube Video, a cover of “Down South in New Orleans!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QUZ5FrpeFA

It is now time to look at the results of the varsity game through the somewhat clear lenses of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in the days of your when many considered him to be “young.”

The final straw for the Bleacher Denizen’s coach was when I discovered that opposing fans would drown me in cheers when I put the ball in their basket!! I was delighted with the lack of any opposing defense in that situation and loved the cheers! Before my coach could put me in a permanent seat on the bench, I scored four baskets! Unfortunately, my playing time was severely restricted after that.

Saranac wins the opening tap. The Red Hawks miss a driving layup. Cody Whipple pulls down the offensive rebound for Saranac. Drew Morales knocks the ball away from Saranac, but the Red Hawks recover. Drew Morales steals the ball for Potterville. Drew Morales passes to Ezzy Taylor, who hits a three point shot from the side to give his Vikings a 3-0 lead.

Cody Whipple hits a three point shot from the wing for Saranac to tie the game. Warren Hill taps the ball away from Potterville and Cody Whipple picks it up for Saranac. Jacob Bishop steals the ball for Potterville and is fouled on a fast break layup. He hits both his free throws to give Potterville a 5-3 lead with 6:10 remaining in the opening quarter.

Andrew Wright knocks the ball away from Saranac and Reid Jackson picks it up for Potterville. Potterville is whistled for a traveling violation. Eli Lauer drives and hits a layup for Saranac to tie the game. Andrew Wright knocks the ball away from Saranac and Drew Morales picks it up for Potterville. Drew Morales passes to Ezzy Taylor, who hits a fast break layup for the Vikings to his team a 7-5 lead.

Saranac misses a layup. Potterville misfires on a triple try from the side. Saranac throws an outlet pass too far and out of bounds. Potterville misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Saranac misses a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line. Potterville misses a threeball from the wing. Saranac reciprocates and misses a threeball from the wing. Cody Whipple grabs the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Brayden Griffen hits a jump shot off the dribble from the free throw line for Saranac to tie the game at 7-7.

Potterville misses a jumper from the free throw line. Saranac misfires on a threeball from the wing. Potterville reciprocates and misfires on a threeball from the wing. Brody Stanton hits a fast break layup to give Saranac a two point lead. Potterville misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Saranac misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Potterville misses a layup. Isaiah Woloszek hits a putback for Potterville to tie the game at 9-9.

Brody Stanton passes to Cody Whipple, who hits a ten foot shot from the baseline for Saranac to retake the lead. Brayden Griffen knocks the ball away from Potterville and chaos erupts. Brody Stanton is finally able to secure the ball for Saranac. Saranac misses an eight foot shot from the baseline as the first quarter buzzer announces an end to the period.

After one quarter, Saranac has an 11-9 lead.

Potterville has the ball to open the second quarter. Jacob Bishop drives and dishes the ball to Isaiah Woloszyn, who hits a layup for the Vikings to tie the game. Drew Morales steals the ball and passes to Isaiah Woloszyn, who hits a fast break layup for Potterville. Ezzy Taylor steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give his Vikings a 15-11 lead.

Jacob Bishop steals the ball for the Vikings. Potterville misses a three point shot from the side. Cody Whipple passes to Brayden Griffen, who hits a layup for the Red Hawks. Jacob Bishop whips a cross court pass to Elijah Pung, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Potterville a five point lead at 18-13.

Brody Stanton passes to Warren Hill, who hits a layup for the Red Hawks. Potterville misses a threeball from the corner. Saranac misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Potterville misses a driving layup. Saranac misses a fast break layup. Potterville misses a wild fast break layup. Kolten Janse passes to Brayden Griffen, who knocks down a threeball from the corner for Saranac to tie the game at 18-18.

Kolten Janse knocks the ball away from the Vikings, but Potterville recovers. Potterville misses a three point attempt from the side. Ezzy Jackson steals the ball and passes to Reid Jackson, who hits a fast break layup for the Vikings. Saranac misses a driving layup, but Potterville fouls on the rebound. Eli Lauer inbounds the ball to Brody Stanton, who hits a layup for Saranac to tie the game at 20-20.

Ezzy Taylor passes to Reid Jackson, who hits a three point shot from the side to retake the lead for Potterville. Saranac misses a three pointer from the wing. Kolten Janse pulls down the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks and is fouled on a putback. He hits two free throws for Saranac. Andrew Wright passes to Elijah Pung, who hits a three point shot from the side for Potterville. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 1:08 remaining in the first half, Potterville has a 26-22 lead.

Keegan Bennett steals the ball for Potterville. Andrew Wright alertly saves a loose ball to prevent a Viking turnover. Reid Jackson passes to Keegan Bennett, who hits a layup to give Potterville a six point lead at 28-22.

Cody Whipple throws in a threeball from the side for Saranac. Elijah Pung hits a ten foot shot from the side of the lane for Potterville. Brayden Griffen passes to Cody Whipple, who banks in a threeball from the wing as the halftime buzzer makes its presence known.

At halftime, Potterville has a 32-30 lead.

Cody Whipple has 11 points and Brayden Griffen has 7 points for Saranac at halftime.

Elijah Pung has 8 points, Ezzy Taylor has 7 points and Isaiah Woloszyn has 6 points for Potterville.

The Potterville Pep Band played at halftime and sounded great! Unfortunately, I was not able to listen to what they did to relate the songs they played because your Bleacher Denizen had a senior moment and had to figure out who scored one of the Potterville layups as the band played. (It was Keegan Bennett. Notes SAVED!!!! YAY!!!!)

Saranac inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. The Red Hawks lose a pass out of bounds. Warren Hill knocks a Potterville pass out of bounds; the Vikings retain possession. The Vikings are assessed with a traveling violation. Saranac misses a driving layup. Cody Whipple steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Saranac to tie the game. Jacob Bishop drives the baseline and hits a layup to give his Vikings a 32-30 lead.

Saranac misses a fifteen footer from the side of the lane. Potterville misses a three point shot from the side. Jacob Bishop grabs the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a layup. Reid Jackson nearly steals the ball and ties it up. The Possession Arrow respects his aggressive toughness and awards the ball to the Vikings. Ezzy Taylor drives and dishes the ball to Andrew Wright, who hits a layup for Potterville. Jacob Bishop steals the ball and passes to Reid Jackson, who hits a fast break layup to boost his Vikings to a 36-30 lead.

Ezzy Taylor steals the ball for the Vikings. Potterville misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Andrew Wright gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Cody Whipple steals the ball for the Red Hawks. Brody Stanton drives and hits a layup for Saranac to trim the Potterville lead to 36-32.

Potterville loses a pass out of bounds. Drew Morales knocks the ball away from Saranac, but the Red Hawks recover. Drew Morales knocks a Red Hawk pass out of bounds; Saranac retains possession. Saranac misses a layup. Eli Lauer taps the ball away from Potterville and Cody Whipple picks it up for Saranac.

The Red Hawks misfire on a threeball from the corner. Ezzy Taylor passes to Andrew Wright, who hits a twelve foot banked shot in the lane for the Vikings. Saranac misses a layup. Jacob Bishop bursts into the lane and is fouled on a twelve foot shot. He hits one of his two free throws and Potterville has a 39-32 lead with 2:38 left in the third quarter.

Brody Stanton drives and hits a layup for Saranac. Potterville misses a three point shot from the side. Kolten Janse passes to Eli Lauer, who hits a layup for the Red Hawks. Potterville misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side. Keegan Bennett steals the ball for the Vikings. Potterville misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. Cody Whipple hits a three point shot off the dribble from the top of the key for Saranac to tie the game at 39-39.

Kolten Jance harasses Potterville into throwing a pass out of bounds. Saranac commits an offensive foul. Potterville shoots a three point shot at the buzzer. (Okay, it was actually aimed at the basket, not at the speaker from where the horn blasts. Basketball cliches can be interesting.) Anyway, the shot bounces off the rim, hits the basket support wire and drops through the hoop. Because it hit the basket support, it will not count.

Saranac has the ball to start out the fourth quarter. The Red Hawks miss a sixteen foot shot from the wing. Potterville misses a six foot banked shot off the dribble from the side. Saranac misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Elijah Pung is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of his two free throws to boost Potterville to a 40-39 lead with 6:56 remaining in the contest.

Jacob Bishop gets his hand on a Red Hawk pass and Saranac loses the ball out of bounds. Potterville misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Isaiah Woloszyn gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a layup. Reid Jackson gets his hand on the ball; this leads to a Saranac turnover for kicking the ball. Potterville misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the baseline. Brayden Griffen is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to boost his Red Hawks to a 41-40 lead with 5:34 to go.

Potterville misses an eight foot banked shot off the dribble in the lane. Isaiah Woloszyn grabs the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a layup. Isaiah Woloszyn is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws to tie the game at 41-41 with 5:10 remaining.

Brody Stanton drives the baseline and hits a layup for Saranac to retake the lead. Potterville misses a driving layup. Warren Hill passes to Brody Stanton, who is fouled as he shoots a layup. He hits one of his two free throws to give his Red Hawks a 44-41 lead with 4:16 left on the clock.

Potterville misses a driving layup. Aaron Crittenden gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a layup. Cody Whipple is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of his two free throws for Saranac. Jacob Bishop connects on a twelve foot turnaround jumper in the lane for Potterville. Saranac misses a threeball from the wing. Potterville reciprocates and misses a threeball from the wing. Cody Whipple is fouled on a jump shot off the dribble from the free throw elbow and hits two free throws to give Saranac a 47-43 lead with 3:02 to play.

Jacob Bishop spins and banks in a six foot shot from the side of the lane for Potterville. Ezzy Taylor steals the ball for the Vikings. Potterville misses a driving layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac gets the ball. Brody Stanton is fouled. He hits one of his two free throws and Saranac has a 48-45 lead with 1:35 to go.

Potterville misses an eight foot hook shot from the side of the lane. Saranac drives the baseline and misses an eight foot shot. The rebound goes out of bounds and Potterville gets the ball with 1:06 to play. Potterville misses a six foot shot from the side of the lane. Cody Whipple drives and dishes the ball to Warren Hill, who hits a layup to boost the Saranac lead to 50-45.

Potterville misses a three pointer from the wing. Ezzy Taylor grabs the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Potterville misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Saranac gets the ball. Saranac inbounds the ball, but Ezzy Taylor forces a pass extremely close to the sideline and the Red Hawk receiver steps out of bounds. Potterville misses a three point shot from the wing. Isaiah Woloszyn gets the offensive rebound and hits a reverse layup to cut Saranac’s lead to 50-47.

Brody Stanton is fouled and hits two free throws to give Saranac a 52-47 lead with 7.2 seconds to go.

Potterville hurries the ball upcourt and Ezzy Taylor hits a LONG three point shot (thirty-five feet?) to cut Saranac’s lead to 52-50 with 3.3 seconds to play.

Brody Stanton is fouled with 2.1 seconds left and hits two clutch free throws to give Saranac a four point lead. Potterville misses a long heave as time expires.

Saranac wins this exciting game by the final score of 54-50.

Ezzy Taylor led the Potterville scoring with 10 points. Elijah Pung, Isaiah Woloszyn and Jacob Bishop supported him with 9 points each. Reid Jackson scored 7 points. Andrew Wright scored 4 points and Keegan Bennett added 2 points.

Cody Whipple led the Saranac scoring with 19 points. Brody Stanton had 16 points to support his teammate. Brayden Griffen chipped in with 9 points. Warren Hill and Eli Lauer each tossed in 4 points. Kolton Janse tallied 2 points.