St. Johns at Portland – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 25, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen is headed to Portland High, where the Raider Girls will host the Redwing Girls Basketball team from St. Johns. This is the last week of the Girls Basketball regular season and both teams have done really well this year. Portland enters the game with a 17-3 record and the Redwings are 16-4.

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

Malia Thelen is a junior who has started since her freshman year. She can handle all the usual responsibilities of a guard well. She is a tough, gritty perimeter defender who can handle the ball well, attack the basket, pass and shoot from the three point line. She leads the Raiders in most statistical categories.

Bella Spitzley is an excellent defender who is a solid shooter and can drive to the basket. Paige Spedoske is an accurate shooter who is also a tough defender and rebounder. Summer Stopcynski is an excellent defender who can rebound, shoot, drive or post up to score. Kayla Weber is an excellent rebounder and post defender. She alters and blocks a lot of opponents’ shots. She also runs the floor well and gets baskets off the fast break.

Aaleigha Roberson is a tough player in the post who can catch the ball in traffic and score on post moves. She is also the Raider’s leading rebounder. Claire Lyons is a good shooter and defender. She creates opportunities for her teammates and can play multiple positions. Erica Russman plays in the post, where she is an excellent passer and a vocal team leader. She also runs the floor well. Ana Babcock is a fine shooter who brings energy to the Raider defense. Lyla Gruber is a good finisher, rebounder and defender in the post.

St. Johns Coach Rondi Fillwock helped me with this information about her Redwing players.

Joce Kotowicz is an excellent all-around player who can slash to the basket and finish in traffic or hit the outside shot. She is also an excellent perimeter defender who rebounds well. Paityn Chant is a dynamic defender who creates a lot of turnovers for Raider opponents. On offense, she handles the ball well and can hit the three point shot.

Rachel Jackson is a strong rebounder who has a nice shot from the free throw line. Jaelah Medina is a strong perimeter defender. Rowan Matice slashes to the basket well and also possesses a fine three point shot. Sam Prince defends the perimeter well and can also score from the three point line.

Abby DeRosia is a spirited perimeter defender. Abby Tisdale and C.J. Pendleton defend in the post and are good rebounders. Sam Hallead can hit the three point shot. Taylor Cook would have been an important contributor this year, but unfortunately, she is injured and out for the season.

I got to the JV game during the second quarter. Portland’s JV’s took a 36-15 halftime lead. The Raiders controlled the rest of the game and won by the final score of 56-24.

Brooklyn Harrison led the Redwing JVs with 9 points. Oakley Davis scored 7 points. Delaney Nelson put in 4 points. Daniela Mireles and Ally Williams each tallied 2 points.

Jadyn Thelen led the Portland JVs with 13 points. Marisa Weber contributed 12 points. Carley Bower joined her teammates in double figures with 10 points. Grace Gorman chipped in with 7 points. Izzy Honsowitz scored 6 points. Amber Vetter and Madison Daggett each added 3 points. Paige Weber had 2 points.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the generally open eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was not even able to escape church league before he became “Too Old to Cut the Mustard” as documented in this video from his You Tube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6GOgZAHqxI

It seems your Bleacher Denizen was never able to master the idea that one only defends one’s opponents. Your Bleacher Denizen found it much easier to steal the ball from unsuspecting teammates, but, alas, coaches frowned upon this.

Tonight’s game is being accentuated by the golden throated announcing of Dave Pettit, who was brilliant announcing the starting lineups. They played the National Anthem and it was time for the game!

St. Johns wins the opening tap. Summer Stopczyinski gets a hand on the ball, but St. Johns recovers. The Redwings miss a layup. Kayla Weber passes to Summer Stopczynski, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key for Portland. Paityn Chant is fouled on an eight foot shot from the baseline and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Portland lead to 3-1 with 7:09 left in the opening quarter.

Paityn Chant steals the ball for the Redwings. St. Johns bounces a pass out of bounds. Paityn Chant knocks the ball out of bounds to foil a Raider fast break. Lilly Thelen inbounds the ball to Kayla Weber, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Portland. St. Johns misses a driving layup. Summer Stopczynski hits a fast break layup to boost the Raider lead to 7-1.

St. Johns fumbles a pass under the basket out of bounds. Summer Stopczynski drives the baseline and hits a layup for Portland. St. Johns drives the baseline and misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Portland gets the ball. Portland travels on a drive to the basket. Aaleigha Roberson steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Portland. St. Johns loses a pass out of bounds. Summer Stopczynski passes to Lilly Thelen, who is fouled on a layup. Lilly Thelen hits one of her two free throws to give Portland a 12-1 lead with 4:16 remaining in the opening quarter.

St. Johns misses a driving layup. Joce Kotowicz hits a putback for the Redwings. C.J. Pendleton steals a Portland pass. Lilly Thelen steals the ball for Portland. The Raiders misfire on a threeball from the side. The Redwings misfire on a threeball from the corner. Portland commits an offensive foul. Aaleigha Roberson blocks a Redwing layup. Lilly Thelen drives and scoops in a layup to give the Raiders a 14-3 lead.

Joce Kotowicz hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow for St. Johns. Aaleigha Roberson passes to Lilly Thelen, who hits a three point shot from the side for the Raiders. St. Johns misses a three pointer from the side. Bella Spitzley hits a fast break layup for Portland. St. Johns misses a driving eight foot shot from the baseline. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow consults its Magic Eight Ball and decides to award the ball to St. Johns. The Redwings miss a three pointer near the top of the key. Summer Stopczynski passes to Kayla Weber, who is cutting to the basket; she hits a layup to give Portland a 21-5 lead.

Paityn Chant passes to Joce Kotowicz, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for St. Johns. Portland is fouled, but misses two free throws. Kayla Weber pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Lilly Thelen hits a threeball from the side to give Portland a 24-7 lead.

Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a fast break layup. Kayla Weber steals the ball and tosses an outlet pass to Lilly Thelen, who hits a fast break layup for Portland just as the first quarter buzzer lets us all know that it is here.

After one quarter, Portland holds a 26-7 lead.

Portland inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. The Raiders miss a layup. Aaleigha Roberson hits a putback for the Raiders. Aaleigha Roberson knocks the ball away from St. Johns and Claire Lyon picks it up for Portland. The Raiders miss a threeball from the side. St. Johns misses a jump shot. Rowan Matice knocks a pass out of bounds to stop a Raider fast break. Portland retains possession. Jaelah Medina steals the ball for the Redwings.

St. Johns misses a threeball from the wing. Joce Kotowicz pulls down the offensive rebound for the Redwings. St. Johns misses a layup. Portland travels on a too fast break. Layla Weber knocks a St. Johns pass out of bounds; the Redwings retain possession. St. Johns misses a three point shot from the corner. Sam Hallead pulls down the offensive rebound for the Redwings. St. Johns misses a layup. Rowan Matice steals the ball for the Redwings. Lilly Thelen knocks the ball out of bounds; St. Johns retains possession.

Kayla Weber knocks a Redwing pass under the basket out of bounds; St. Johns retains possession. Aaleigha Roberson knocks a Redwing pass out of bounds to prevent a layup; the Redwings get the ball back. Joce Kotowicz passes to Rachel Jackson, who hits a three point shot from the side to shave the Raider lead to 28-10.

Jaelah Medina deflects a pass and a Redwing teammate picks up the ball. St. Johns misses a three point shot from the side. Joce Kotowicz steals a Raider pass and gets the ball to Rowan Matice, who hits a layup for the Redwings. Bella Spitzley passes to Lilly Thelen, who throws in a three point shot from the side to give Portland a 31-12 lead.

A St. Johns dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Portland misfires on a triple try from the side. Bella Spitzley snares the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. St. Johns misses a three point shot from the side. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Lilly Thelen dives and nearly steals the ball for Portland. St. Johns recovers. The Redwings miss a layup. C.J. Pendleton gets her hand on the rebound and Portland loses it out of bounds.

St. Johns misses a three point shot near the top of the key. Rachel Jackson knocks a pass out of bounds; Portland gets another opportunity. Lilly Thelen passes to Aaleigha Roberson, who hits a layup to give the Raiders a 33-12 lead.

St. Johns misses a ten footer from the side of the lane. Rowan Matice ties up the ball in the lane. The Possession Arrow and its Ouija Board Consultant love her hustle and award the ball to St. Johns. The Redwins miss a threeball from the side. Joce Kotowicz gets the offensive rebound for the Redwings. Paige Spedoske forces a Redwing dribble to step on the sideline. Portland misses a forty foot shot as the first half comes to an end.

After one half, Portland has a 33-12 lead.

Joce Kotowicz has 6 points to lead St. Johns.

Lilly Thelen has 14 points for Portland. Summer Stopczynski has 7 points and Aaleigha Roberson has 6 points.

Portland inbounds the ball to start out quarter number three. Rowan Matice taps a pass, but Portland is able to recover. The Raiders miss a layup. Kayla Weber hits a putback for the Raiders. Summer Stopczynski steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a seven foot banked shot from the side of the lane and fouls on the rebound. Kayla Weber steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misfires on a threeball from the side.

Kayla Weber gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Joce Kotowicz steals the ball for the Redwings. St. Johns misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Lilly Thelen is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to boost the Portland lead to 36-12 with 6:00 to play in quarter number three.

Paige Spedoske knocks the ball away from St. Johns and Lilly Thelen picks up the ball for Portland. Portland throws an outlet pass too far and out of bounds. Ana Babcock knocks a St. Johns pass into the lane out of bounds; Portland takes possession. The Raiders miss a driving layup. St. Johns misses a threeball from the side. Joce Kotowicz is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for the Redwings. With 4:33 remaining in quarter number three, the Portland lead is at 36-13.

Joce Kotowicz passes to Abby Tisdale, who hits a layup for the Redwings. Paityn Chant steals the ball for the Redwings. St. Johns misses a fast break layup. Joce Kotowicz hits a putback ror St. Johns. Portland misses a layup. St. Johns fouls on the rebound. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and St. Johns takes possession. Aaleigha Roberson steals the ball for Portland. Abby Tisdale steals the ball back for St. Johns. Joce Kotowicz hits a driving layup to trim the Portland lead to 36-19.

Portland misses a layup. Bella Spitzley grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misfires on a triple try from the wing. St. Johns misses a threeball from the top of the key. Portland reciprocates and misses a threeball from the top of the key. Lilly Thelen snags the long offensive rebound for the Raiders. Paityn Chant knocks the ball away from Portland and Abby Tisdale picks it up for St. Johns. Joce Kotowicz passes to Paityn Chant, who hits a three point shot from the wing to cut the Portland lead to 36-22.

Lilly Thelen drives, makes a nice post move (especially when you realize she is a guard) and hits a layup for Portland as she is fouled. She makes her free throw to give Portland a 39-22 lead with 55.3 seconds to play in quarter number three.

St. Johns misses a six foot shot from the baseline and fouls on the rebound. Aaleigha Roberson hits one of her two free throws for Portland. St. Johns misses a three point shot from the side. Summer Stopczynski hits a fast break layup for the Raiders. Sam Prince throws in a threeball from the corner for St. Johns. Portland misses a three pointer from the side as the buzzer announces the end of quarter number three.

With three quarters in the books, Portland holds a 42-25 lead.

St. Johns inbounds the ball to open the final quarter. Lilly Thelen steals a Redwing cross court pass. Portland misses a layup. Aaleigha Roberson grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. St. Johns misses a twelve foot shot from the baseline. Oakley Davis steals the ball for the Redwings. St. Johns turns the ball over. Kayla Weber passes to Paige Spedoske, who hits a three point shot from the side to boost the Portland lead to 45-25.

St. Johns misses a three pointer from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Redwings get another opportunity. Joce Kotowicz inbounds the ball to Abby Tisdale, who hits a layup for St. Johns. Lilly Thelen drives the baseline and hits a layup to give her Raiders a 47-27 lead.

St. Johns misses a three point shot from the wing. Rachel Jackson pulls down the offensive rebound for the Redwings. St. Johns misfires on a threeball from the top of the key. Joce Kotowicz gets the offensive rebound for the Redwings. Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland throws an outlet pass too far and out of bounds. Summer Stopczynski steals the ball for the Raiders. Paige Spedoske hits a fast break layup to give Portland a 49-27 lead.

Rowan Matice drives and hits a six foot shot from the side for St. Johns. Paige Spedoske sinks a threeball from the top of the key for Portland. St. Johns misses a three point shot from the side. Rowan Matice steals the ball for the Redwings. Joce Kotowicz hits a fifteen foot shot off the dribble from the wing for St. Johns to trim the Portland lead to 52-31.

Paityn Chant steals the ball for the Redwings. St. Johns misses a twelve foot banked shot off the dribble from the side. Portland runs a delay offense. Joce Kotowicz and Rowan Matice team up to knock the ball out of bounds; Portland retains possession. The ball gets loose and rolls toward the St. Johns basket. Rowan Matice picks it up and hits a layup to cut the Portland lead to 52-33.

Joce Kotowicz plays tough defense to force a Portland traveling violation. St. Johns misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Joce Kotowicz snags the offensive rebound for the Redwings. St. Johns misses a jump shot. Rowan Matice gets the offensive rebound for the Redwings. St. Johns misses a layup. Rowan Matice steals the ball for St. Johns and is fouled. She hits one of her two free throws for St. Johns. Bella Spitzley catches a touchdown pass and hits a layup for Portland. St. Johns does not shoot before the final buzzer sounds.

Portland wins this game by the final score of 54-34.

Joce Kotowicz had 13 points to lead the St. Johns scoring. Rowan Matice contributed 7 points. Paityn Chant and Abby Tisdale each scored 4 points. Sam Prince and Rachel Jackson each added 3 points.

Lilly Thelen had 20 points to lead the Portland scoring. Summer Stopczynski contributed 9 points. Paige Spedoske chipped in with 8 points. Aaleigha Roberson tossed in 7 points. Kayla Weber had 6 points. Bella Spitzley scored 4 points.