Fowler at Lansing Christian – – CMAC Girls Basketball Co-Game of the Week – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 18, 2025

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen is making the trek to Lansing Christian to watch Lansing Christian compete with Fowler in the CMAC Girls Basketball Co-Game of the Week! I’m probably stretching things by referring to this journey as a trek as I live only a mile or so from Lansing Christian High School.

The visiting Eagles from Fowler enter this game with an 11-2 record in the CMAC; they are 14-2 overall. Their only two losses are to a powerful Division 3 Pewamo-Westphalia team. The host Pilgrims from Lansing Christian are 10-4 in the CMAC and 14-4 overall as they are also having a great season.

Katie Spicer is a returning all-State guard for Fowler. She will be attending college on a track scholarship and is a gifted athlete. She, like all the Eagles, is a relentless defender who also adds a lot of creativity to her athletic ability when she drives to the basket. She can launch a short shot from almost any angle and do what ever she needs to do to get an accurate shot over a defender. She can also hit shots from the three point line and or mid-range shots off the catch or off the dribble.

Ella Hufnagel is blessed with some of the quickest hands and feet I have ever seen on a girl player. She is a terror in the Fowler press and a threat to steal the ball from ANY ball handler at any time. She generates turnovers by the bushel. On offense, she is a good three point shooter who slashes to the basket well. (She also gets a lot of points off her steals.)

Brooke Weber is a tough defender and rebounder in the post; she also contributes an accurate three point shot to the Eagle cause. Paige Thelen and Neelah O’Rourke defend, score and rebound well in the post. Selena Stump is always a threat to make a string of three point baskets. She can also slash to the basket. Saige Miller is an excellent athlete who brings a lot of quickness, confidence and determination to the Fowler defense. Paisley Hansen is another athletic perimeter defender.

(And in Spring, Saige Miller and Paisley Hansen are huge contributors to the Eagle softball team. Saige Miller can throw the ball as hard as any softball player I’ve ever seen; Paisley Hansen is an excellent power hitter.)

Unfortunately, Izzy Halfmann, who is a sophomore in her second year of starting for the Eagles is injured and will not play. She is a strong defender who is tall enough to help in the post and quick enough to guard the perimeter well. She has a great basketball IQ and is an excellent ball handler and slasher.

Lydia Brogan is an excellent all-around player who is tall enough to defend in the post and quick enough to guard the perimeter. She is very athletic and can overwhelm opponents when she slashes to the basket. She also needs to be guarded at the three point line as she can hit shots from there.

Ava Mustapha is a rugged perimeter defender who excels at slashing to the basket. Alyssa Shank is a competitive, aggressive perimeter defender who runs the point on offense. She slashes to the basket well and can hit three point shots. Sophia Carrillo is the Pilgrims’ post presence. She is an excellent defender and rebounder near the basket. Natalie Adams is a quick perimeter defender. Esther Lee is a solid scorer near the basket.

Sophia Hazelton shoots the three point shot well. Juliette Tallon provides aggressive perimeter defense. Payton Korrey has a solid three point shot. Abbi Pelle is a tough post defender who brings an excellent basketball IQ to the Pilgrims. She is always in position on defense and in the Pilgrim offensive plays. Grace Reusser, who is an excellent defender and shot blocker in the post cannot play tonight because of an injury.

I was able to see most of the JV game. Lansing Christian had a 19-11 lead after one quarter. Fowler outscored Christian 12-8 in the second quarter to shave the Pilgrim lead to 27-23 by halftime.

Fowler was able to tie the game at 29-29 with a little less than four minutes left in the third quarter. Karstyn Lackscheide hit three of four free throws to give Fowler a 32-29 lead with 2:43 to play in the third quarter. The third quarter ended with Fowler holding a 34-32 lead.

Christian tied that game at 34-34 on a putback by Annie Wernet with about 6:25 to go. Karstyn Lackscheide scored a basket to give Fowler the lead. Fowler got two more free throws from Karstyn Lackscheide over the next two or so minutes. Kylie Damesworth hit a free throw for Christian to trim the Fowler lead to 38-35 with 27.5 seconds remaining.

Fowler got three more free throws in the final seconds while holding Christian scoreless and won the JV game 41-35.

Kylie Damesworth led the Pilgrim JVs with 11 points. Lael Ritter joined her teammate in double figures with 10 points. Makenna Bush and Ainsley Pelle each contributed 6 points. Annie Wernet had 2 points.

Karstyn Lackscheide led the Fowler JVs with 17 points. Sophia Thelen chipped in with 8 points. Payton Rademacher added 6 points. Leah Thelen contributed 5 points. Kerigan Pung had 3 points and Sophia Feldpausch scored 2 points.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the generally open eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen. Unfortunately, he was never able to escape Church League when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. It seems that the bricks (old person lingo for an extremely clumsy and inaccurate basketball shot) that the Bleacher Denizen threw damaged many of the old peach baskets we used to shoot at. It was too expensive to replace all the peach baskets, so the Bleacher Denizen had to leave the team. Alas.

Christian wins the opening tap. The Pilgrims miss a driving layup. Brooke Weber tosses in a threeball from the side for Fowler. Saige Miller steals the ball for the Eagles. Ava Mustapha gets her hand on the ball and Fowler loses it out of bounds on a fast break. Christian misfires on a threeball from the wing. Natalie Adams pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Saige Miller steals the ball for the Eagles. Brooke Weber hits a fast break layup to make the score Brooke Weber 5 Lansing Christian 0.

Lydia Brogan drives and hits a layup for Christian. Ella Hufnagel drives and dishes the ball to Paige Thelen, who hits a layp for Fowler. Lydia Brogan passes to Ava Mustapha, who hits a ten foot shot from the side for Christian to cut the Fowler lead to 7-4.

Fowler misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Ava Mustapha nearly steals the ball as she knocks it out of bounds; Fowler retains possession. The Eagles miss a threeball from the top of the key. Ella Hufnagel nearly steals the ball for Fowler, but she trips and the Pilgrims are able to recover.

Christian misfires on a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian gets the ball back. Ella Hufnagel ties the ball up. The Possession Arrow and its Spring Beautification Committee are impressed with her hustle and award the ball to Fowler. Ella Hufnagel passes to Selena Stump, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key to give Fowler a 10-4 lead.

Paige Thelen and Katie Spicer team up for Fowler to cause a tieup. The Possession Arrow and the Spring Beautification Committee are discussing whether the plant marigolds or begonias and miss the play; the ball is awarded to Christian. Paige Thelen knocks the ball out of bounds; Christian retains possession. Ella Hufnagel dives to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow and the Committee have decided on marigolds and are able to see the play. They are impressed with Ms. Hufnagel’s determination and award the ball to Fowler.

Fowler misses a three point attempt from the wing. Christian misses a driving layup and fouls on the rebound. Ella Hufnagel passes to Katie Spicer, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Ella Hufnagel taps the ball away from Christian and chaos arises. Saige Miller finally picks up the ball and Fowler takes possession. Katie Spicer launches and hits another threeball from the side and hits it to boost her Eagles to a 16-4 lead.

Christian misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the baseline. Saige Miller drives and hits a ten foot banked shot for the Eagles. Ella Hufnagel steals the ball and passes to Paige Thelen, who hits a layup for the Eagles. Paige Thelen blocks Christians three point attempt as the buzzer ends the quarter.

After one quarter, Fowler holds a 20-4 lead.

Christian inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. Alyssa Shank passers to Esther Lee, who hits a layup for the Pilgrims. Katie Spicer passes to Brooke Weber, who hits a threeball from the side for the Eagles. Alyssa Shank drives and scoops in a layup for Christian to trim the Fowler lead to 23-8.

Brooke Weber passes to Ella Hufnagel, who throws in a threeball from the wing for the Eagles. Christian commits an over and back violation. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. Saige Miller steals the ball and hits a fast break layup. She is fouled on the play and sinks her free throw to boost the Eagles to a 29-8 lead with 5:30 remaining in the opening half.

Christian travels on a drive to the basket. Brooke Weber throws in a threeball from the side for Fowler. Christian misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow and the Outdoor Decoration Committee are having a lively discussion about whether or not to put a gazebo in the courtyard. They briefly interrupt the argument to award the ball to Fowler. Selena Stump passes to Katie Spicer, who takes a couple dribbles and hits a twelve foot shot in the lane to boost the Eagles to a 34-8 lead.

Paige Thelen blocks a Christian layup. Fowler loses the ball out of bounds. Selena Stump steals the ball for the Eagles. Ava Mustapha knocks the ball away from Fowler and Lydia Brogan picks it up for Christian. Selena Stump and Ella Hufnagel dive and force a tieup. The Possession Arrow and the Outdoor Decoration Committee are having a spirited discussion with the landscaper about which fertilizer is appropriate. They ignore Fowler’s great hustle and award the ball to Christian. Christian loses a pass out of bounds. Katie Spicer passes to Selena Stump, who hits a three pointer from the wing to give Fowler a 37-8 lead.

Christian misses a driving layup. Sophia Carrillo grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misfires on a three point shot from the corner. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get the ball back. Brooke Weber passes to Neelah O’Rourke, who is cutting to the basket; Neelah O’Rourke hits a layup to boost her Eagles to a 39-8 lead.

Christian drives and dishes a pass out of bounds. Katie Spicer passes to Brooke Weber, who throws a threeball from the wing through the hoop for Fowler. A bad pass leads to a Christian over and back violation. Ella Hufnagel passes to Brooke Weber, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Ella Hufnagel knocks the ball out of bounds with 1.4 seconds to play in the half. Christian misses a very rushed three point shot as the buzzer sounds.

At halftime, Fowler has a 45-8 lead.

Four different Pilgrims each have two points for Christian.

Brooke Weber has 17 points and Katie Spicer 8 points for Fowler. Selena Stump has 6 points and Saige Miller has 5 points.

Fowler inbounds the ball to open quarter number three. The Eagles miss a jump shot off the dribble from the free throw elbow. Alyssa Shank drives and hits a layup for Christian. Katie Spicer hits a three point shot from the wing for Fowler. Christian commits an offensive foul. Fowler misses a driving ten foot shot in the lane. Saige Miller gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 6:24 to play in quarter number three, the Eagle lead is at 48-10.

Ava Mustapha drives and hits a layup for the Pilgrims. Fowler misses a three pointer from the side. Christian misses a ten footer off the dribble in the lane. Fowler turns the ball over. Christian misfires on a threeball from the corner. Ella Hufnagel drives and hits a layup for Fowler. Christian fails to inbound the ball in the required five seconds and turns it over. Alyssa Shank blocks a Fowler driving layup. Ava Mustapha is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws for Christian. With 4:24 to play in quarter number three, Fowler’s lead is at 50-13.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Saige Miller snares the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian gets the ball. Ava Mustapha drives and dishes the ball to Esther Lee, who hits a layup for the Pilgrims. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Ella Hufnagel knocks the ball away from Christian, but the Pilgrims recover. Alyssa Shank inbounds the ball to Esther Lee, who hits a layup to shave the Fowler lead to 50-17.

Esther Lee taps the ball away from Fowler and Ava Mustapha picks it up for Christian. Ella Hufnagel knocks the ball away from Christian and Selena Stump picks it up for Fowler. Brooke Weber cans another threeball from the side (her sixth of the game) for Fowler. Paige Thelen steals the ball for Fowler.

Ava Mustapha and Natalie Adams team up to tie up the ball for Christian. The Possession Arrow has sent the arguing members of the Spring Decoration Committee home; it missed the play and gave the ball to Fowler. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. Lydia Brogan is fouled and hits two free throws for Christian. With 1:12 to play in quarter number three, the Fowler lead is at 53-19.

Fowler misses a layup. Ella Hufnagel’s aggressive defense forces a Christian traveling violation. Lydia Brogan gets a hand on the ball and Fowler loses it out of bounds. Christian is fouled, but misses two free throws. Fowler misses a three pointer from the wing. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds. Fowler inbounds the ball, but does not shoot before the third quarter buzzer announces the end to the quarter.

After three quarters, Fowler holds a 53-19 lead.

Christian has the ball to start the final quarter. Lydia Brogan passes to Sophia Carrillo, who hits a layup for the Pilgrims. Katie Spicer passes to Saige Miller, who hits a layup for Fowler. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 7:17 to play, Fowler’s lead is at 55-21.

Christian misses a three pointer from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get another possession. Christian misses a threeball from the wing. Fowler throws a pass out of bounds. Lydia Brogan drives and dishes the ball to Sophia Carrillo, who hits a layup for Christian. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. Lydia Brogan is fouled on a driving shot and hits one of her two free throws for Christian. With 5:09 remaining, Fowler leads 55-24.

Fowler misses a three point attempt from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler gets the ball back. Ella Hufnagel passes to Neelah O’Rourke, who hits a layup for the Eagles. Christian misses an eight foot shot from the side. Abbi Pelle gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Ella Hufnagel is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to give Fowler a 58-24 lead with 3:56 left on the clock.

Saige Miller steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Saige Miller steals the ball for Fowler. The Eagles miss a three pointer from the top of the key. Christian fouls on the rebound and Fowler gets another possession. Katie Spicer passes to Selena Stump, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Christian misses a three pointer from the wing.

Fowler misses a layup. Paisley Hansen gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Alyssa Shank steals the ball for Christian. Christian misses a layup. Esther Lee gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian turns the ball over. Paisley Hansen hits a fast break layup to give Fowler a 63-24 lead.

Christian misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Lael Ritter gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Fowler misses a ten foot banked shot from the side. Karstyn Lackscheide steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler dribbles out the clock.

Fowler wins this game by the score of 63-24.

Esther Lee led the Lansing Christian scoring with 6 points. Ava Mustapha and Lydia Brogan each scored 5 points. Alyssa Shank and Sophia Corrillo each added 4 points.

Brooke Weber hit six three point shots on her way to leading Fowler with 20 points. Katie Spicer hit three triples and joined her teammate in double figures with 11 points. Selena Stump hit three triples for 9 points. (As a team Fowler, made thirteen three point shots; ten of them were in the first half.) Saige Miller scored 7 points. Elizabeth Hufnagel added 6 points and hit one three pointer. Paige Thelen and Neelah O’Rourke each added 4 points. Paisley Hansen tallied 2 points.