Portland at Eaton Rapids – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 14, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, it’s Valentines Day. However, instead of going out for a romantic evening, your Bleacher Denizen will be covering a basketball game. I suppose I do love basketball, but I will concede that it is not quite the same thing.

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen’s travels bring him to Eaton Rapids, where the Greyhound Girls Basketball team will be hosting the Raiders from Portland. The visiting Raiders are undeated in the CAAC-White with an 8-0 record; they are 14-3 overall. Eaton Rapids is in second place in the CAAC-White with a 6-2 record and is 8-8 overall.

Portland Coach Jason Haid provided me with this information about his Raider players.

Malia Thelen is a junior in her third year of starting for the Raiders. She is an excellent all-around guard who understands the game and plays intensely on offense and defense. She is a fine ball handler and shooter who leads the team in nearly all statistical categories. Bella Spitzley is a tough, gritty defender who shoots well and can get to the basket.

Paige Spedoske is a fine shooter who plays tough defense and rebounds well. Summer Stopszynski is a tough defender who rebounds, shoots, drives, and posts up well. Kayla Weber is an excellent rebounder and defender in the post. She blocks and alters a lot of shots. She also runs the floor well. Aaliegha Robertson is a powerful player in the post who is adept at catching the ball and driving to the hoop. She is the Raiders’ leading rebounder as well.

Claire Lyons plays multiple positions. She is a good shooter, defender and can create for her teammates. Erica Russman plays in the post. She runs the floor well, is a good passer and is also a vocal team leader. Ana Babcock is a great shooter and brings energy to the Raider defense. Lyla Gruber is an outstanding defender, rebounder and finisher in the post.

Eaton Rapids Coach Reyna Luplow was also helpful with information about her Greyhound players.

Kylie Alvarez leads the team in assists. She is a solid ball handler and an active perimeter defender who provides a lot of leadership for her teammates. She is a junior in her third year of starting on the varsity. Avah Vozar is a tough perimeter defender who provides a lot of energy. Zoe Newberry is a speedy track athlete who gets a lot of steals and jets up the court to hit layups before the other team can catch her.

Rylee Winkelman rebounds and scores well in the post. Grace Shaw provides a lot of energy to the Greyhound perimeter defense. Leah Steffen is a strong rebounder and post defender. Elle Lorente is a strong rebounder who brings a nice three point shot to the Greyhounds. Danika Finch is a good post defender.

Part of the Boy Scout motto is that a boy scout is always prepared. Your Bleacher Denizen was clearly not a boy scout as he was unprepared to find out that if he had done just a bit more research, he could have covered the boys’ game between Portland and Eaton Rapids as well. It was halftime when I got to the game.

Portland had a 27-10 halftime lead. The Raiders controlled the game the rest of the way and won by the score of 63-22.

I did manage to get a scoring summary from the game. Damaraian Bailey, Jr. led the Eaton Rapids scoring with 6 points. James O’Connor and Keegan Gochenour each added 5 points. Cooper Oliver scored 4 points and Brogan McCrumb had 2 points.

Christopher Battley led the Raider boys with 12 points. Dom Novara joined his teammate in double figures with 10 points. Evan Gross and Kayden Dickerson each contributed 9 points. Owen Moore tossed in 8 points. Tej Virk contribued 6 points. Ethan Cassel scored 4 points. Carson Simon added 3 points and Keaton McGregor tallied 2 points.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the occasionally clear lenses of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league in the ancient times when he was actually considered to be “young.” It seems there was a difference of opinion between the Bleacher Denizen and his coach.

The coach was insistent that your Bleacher Denizen only pass the ball to people wearing the same color shirt as him. Your Bleacher Denizen thought that this was an attack on his creativity and resisted this instruction. The coach consistently counseled me about this concept called “turnovers.” Your Bleacher Denizen asserted his creativity until his playing time disappeared for some reason.

Portland wins the opening tap. Elle Lorente steals the ball for Eaton Rapids. The Greyhounds lose a pass out of bounds. Elle Lorente gets her hand on a Raider pass, and Portland loses the ball. Eaton Rapids misses a jump shot. Grace Shaw draws a charging foul from Portland. A Greyhound pass into the lane sails out of bounds. Kayla Weber passes to Summer Stopcynski, who hits a layup to give Portland a 2-0 lead.

Kayla Weber steals the ball for Portland. Rylee Winkleman steals the ball for Eaton Rapids. Kayla Weber blocks a Greyhound ten foot shot in the lane. Portland is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws. Summer Stopcynski’s tough defense forces an Eaton Rapids traveling violation. Portland misses a driving layup. Summer Stopcynski hits a putback to make the score Summer Stopcynski 4 Eaton Rapids 0.

Eaton Rapids misses a threeball from the side. Zoe Newberry ties up the offensive rebound. The Possession Arrow looks up from its cribbage game and is impressed by her hustle, so it awards the ball to Eaton Rapids. Aaleigha Roberson steals the ball for Portland. The Raiders miss a driving layup. Eaton Rapids loses a pass out of bounds. Paige Spedoske passes to Aaleigha Roberson, who spins and hits a layup for the Raiders. Portland has a 6-0 lead.

Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Avah Vozar steals the ball for the Greyhounds. Eaton Rapids misfires on a triple try from the side. Claire Lyon passes to Aaleigha Roberson, who is fouled on a layup. She makes one of her two free throws to push the Raiders to a 7-0 lead with 2:53 remaining in the opening quarter.

Erica Russman knocks the ball away from Eaton Rapids and Aaleigha Roberson grabs it for Portland. The Raiders misfire on a triple try from the corner. Eaton Rapids misses a layup. Kylia Alvarez pulls down the offensive rebound for the Greyhounds. Eaton Rapids misses a layup. The rebound is knocked out of bounds and the Greyhounds get another opportunity. Kylie Alverez bursts into the lane and hits a ten foot shot to give Eaton Rapids its first points. Portland’s lead is at 7-2.

The Raiders miss a threeball from the wing. The Greyhounds miss a fifteen foot shot from the side. Portland misses a three pointer from the side; Aaleigha Roberson hits a putback for Portland. Summer Stopcynski steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Portland to give the Raiders an 11-2 lead.

Lilly Thelen knocks a Greyhound pass out of bounds; Eaton Rapids retains possession. Eaton Rapids misses a twelve foot shot from the baseline. Portland is not able to shoot before the first quarter buzzer announces an end to the period.

After one quarter, Portland has an 11-2 lead.

Portland has the ball to start the second quarter. The Raiders miss a three point shot from the wing. Eaton Rapids misses a layup. Avah Vozar plays sticky defense and forces a Raider pass receiver to lose the ball out of bounds on the baseline. Eaton Rapids misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Avah Vozar throws the rebound off a Portland player to earn another possession for Eaton Rapids.

Summer Stopczynski knocks the ball out of bounds; the Greyhounds retain possession. Paige Stopczynski steals the ball for the Raiders. Lilly Thelen is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws to give Portland a 12-2 lead with 6:18 left in the first half.

The rebound from the missed free throw is tied up. The Possession Arrow is on a pegging streak with the cribbage board, but looks up long enough to award the ball to Eaton Rapids. Summer Stopczynski steals the ball for Portland. Elle Lorente knocks the ball away from Portland and Kylie Alvarez picks it up for Eaton Rapids. The Greyhounds fumble a pass out of bounds.

Rylee Winkelmann blocks a Portland reverse layup. Eaton Rapids misses a ten footer off the dribble from the baseline. Summer Stopcynski passes to a Raider teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 4:50 to play in the second quarter, the Portland lead remains at 12-2.

Kylie Alvarez banks in a threeball from the side for Eaton Rapids. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Eaton Rapids misses a layup. Leah Steffen pulls down the offensive rebound for the Greyhounds. Ava Vozar drives and hits a layup for Eaton Rapids. Portland is whistled for a three seconds (in the lane) violation. Kylie Alvarez passes to Leah Steffen, who is fouled on a layup. Leah Steffen hits one of her two free throws to chop the Portland lead to 12-8 with 3:04 to go in the half.

Portland throws a pass through the lane and out of bounds. Eaton Rapids takes possession. Summer Stopcynski steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Portland. Summer Stopcynski steals a Greyhound pass. Lilly Thelen is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws to give Portland a 15-8 lead with 2:09 left in the period.

Summer Stopcynski steals the ball for Portland. Avah Vozar gets back quickly to foil the Raider fast break as she knocks the ball out of bounds; Portland retains possession briefly, but throws its inbound pass out of bounds. Eaton Rapids gets the ball. Lyla Gruber gets her hand on the ball, but the Greyhounds are able to recover. Eaton Rapids misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane.

Portland misses an eight foot banked shot from the baseline. Eaton Rapids misfires on a threeball near the top of the key. Portland misses a layup. Kayla Weber hits a putback for the Raiders. Eaton Rapids misses an eight foot shot from the side of the lane and fouls on the rebound. Portland misses a threeball from the wing. Eaton Rapids is not able to shoot before the half ends.

At halftime, Portland has a 17-8 lead. I suspect that their lead will remain at 17-8 at the beginning of the third quarter.

Kylia Alvarez has 5 points to lead Eaton Rapids at halftime.

Summer Stopcynski has 8 points for Portland. Aaleigha Roberson has 5 points.

As the third quarter began, I glanced at the scoreboard and saw that I had correctly predicted the third quarter opening score!! While your Bleacher Denizen nearly threw his shoulder out trying to pat himself on the back, Portland inbounded the ball to get quarter number three underway!

Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Summer Stopcynski puts in a putback for the Raiders. Eaton Rapids misses a layup. Portland misfires on a threeball from the side. Elle Lorente alerts reacts to a loose ball to save the Greyhounds’ possession. Lilly Thelen steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give Portland a 21-8 lead.

Lilly Thelen’s fierce defense forces a Greyhound dribbler to lose the ball out of bounds. Kayla Weber makes a short drive and hits a layup for Portland. Eaton Rapids misses a layup. Rylee Winkelman hits a putback for the Greyhounds to trim the Raider lead to 23-10.

Avah Vozar ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow and its cribbage opponent are enthused by the aggressive hustle and award the ball to the Greyhounds. Summer Stopcynski steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a six foot banked shot on the fast break. Lilly Thelen steals the ball from Eaton Rapids and draws a foul in the process. Portland misses a layup.

Summer Stopcynski steals the ball for the Raiders. Elle Lorente knocks the ball away from Portland and Kylie Alvarez picks it up for Eaton Rapids. Kylie Alvarez hits a fast break layup for Eaton Rapids and is fouled on the play. She misses her free throw. With 3:46 to play in quarter number three, Portland has a 23-12 lead.

Portland misfires on a triple try from the wing and fouls on the rebound. Eaton Rapids watches as a threeball from the wing goes in and out of the basket. Portland misses a twelve foot shot in the lane. Lilly Thelen hits a fast break layup for Portland. Eaton Rapids is fouled, but misses two free throws.

Elle Lorente pulls down the offensive rebound for the Greyhounds. Eaton Rapids misses a layup, but Leah Steffen grabs the offensive rebound. She passes the ball to Elle Lorente, who hits a twelve foot shot from the baseline for the Greyhounds. Portland loses a pass out of bounds. Zoe Newberry is fouled and hits two free throws to shave the Portland lead to 25-16 with 1:02 remaining in quarter number three.

Portland is whistled for a three seconds (in the lane) violation. Eaton Rapids throws up a threeball from the wing that goes in and out of the basket. Kylie Alvarez knocks the ball away from Portland and Elle Lorente picks up the ball for Eaton Rapids. The Greyhounds miss a three point shot from the side. Aaleigha Roberson passes to Summer Stopcynski, who hits a layup for the Raiders just as the buzzer announces an end to quarter number three.

With three quarters in the books, Portland holds a 27-16 lead.

Portland has the ball to begin the fourth quarter. Summer Stopcynski passes to Aaleigha Roberson, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Eaton Rapids is whistled for an offensive foul. Rylee Winkelman knocks the ball away from Portland and Elle Lorente picks it up for Eaton Rapids.

The Greyhounds miss a sixteen foot shot near the top of the key. Portland misses a threeball from the side. Lilly Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. Paige Spedoske grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland is fouled on a layup, but miss two free throws. With 6:38 remaining in the game, Portland has a 29-16 lead.

Rylee Winkelman hits a layup for Eaton Rapids. Portland turns the ball over. Eaton Rapids misses a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the side. Summer Stopcynski passes to a Raider teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 5:45 left on the clock, Portland’s lead remains at 29-16.

Kayla Weber knocks the ball away from Eaton Rapids and Summer Stopcynski picks it up for Portland. Portland misses a six foot banked shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Raiders get another opportunity. Lilly Thelen passes to Aaleigha Roberson, who hits a layup for Portland. Lilly Thelen steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Portland. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 3:55 remaining, Portland has a 33-18 lead.

Aaleigha Roberson pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. Kayla Weber pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland loses a pass out of bounds. Eaton Rapids misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane. Rylee Winkelman blocks a Portland layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Eaton Rapids takes possession. Eaton Rapids throws a pass out of bounds. Portland misses a three pointer from the corner. Kayla Weber is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to push the Portland lead to 34-18 with 2:44 left in the contest.

Grace Shaw throws the ball off a Portland player to save the Eaton Rapids possession. The Greyhounds miss a three point shot from the side. Portland misses a ten footer off the dribble from the side of the lane. Elle Lorente drives and hits a ten foot shot from the baseline to trim the Portland lead to 34-20.

Avah Vozar steals the ball for the Greyhounds. Kayla Weber gets back quickly and gets a hand on the ball to foil a Greyhound fast break. The ball goes out of bounds and Portland gets the ball. Elle Lorente plays tough defense and forces Portland to call timeout to avoid losing the ball. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner.

Eaton Rapids misses a fast break layup. The rebound is tied up and the Possession Arrow gives the ball to Eaton Rapids. Ana Babcock steals the ball for Portland. Paige Spedoske is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Portland with 4.8 seconds left to give Portland a 35-20 lead.

Eaton Rapids misses a heave as the game comes to a conclusion.

Portland wins this game by the score of 35-20.

Kylie Alvarez led the Eaton Rapids scoring with 7 points. Rylee Winkelman and Elle Lorente each added 4 points. Zoe Newberry and Avah Vozar each tossed in 2 points and Leah Steffen tallied 1 point.

Summer Stopcynski led Portland with 12 points and some really effective defense that resulted in many steals. Lilly Thelen joined her teammate in double figures with 8 points. Aaleigha Roberson contributed 9 points. Kayla Weber added 5 points and Paige Spedoske scored 1 point.