Breckenridge vs. Fowler – – Boys Basketball – – MHSAA District Semifinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 26, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

In tonight’s first district semifinal in Vestaburg, the Huskie from Breckenridge will face the Eagles from Fowler. Fowler finished second in the CMAC and are 20-2 on the season. Their only losses this season have been to Division 3 power Pewamo-Westphalia. Breckenridge is 11-11 on the season and finished in seventh place in the MSAC.

Fowler has four seniors who have all been starting or heavy rotation players since they were sophomores. In fact, Alex Halfmann and Jacob Halfmann have been starters since the start of their freshman years.

Jacob Halfmann is an excellent all-around point guard. On defense, he is quick, athletic and determined on the perimeter. He is tall for a guard and can also play great defense in the post when the situation requires it. He is also a complete player on offense who runs the offense well, handles the ball and can score either by attacking the basket or shooting from the three point line.

Alex Halfmann is a classic interior player who is extremely tough defensively in the post. He is a great rebounder who gets a lot of points from putbacks. He can also score on post moves or step out to the three point line.

Asher Koenigsknecht is another senior starter. He is extremely quick and aggressive in the Fowler perimeter defense. He causes a lot of turnovers for opposing offenses. He can handle the ball well and attacks the basket or shoots from the three point line. Aaron Simon is a solid defender on the perimeter who brings a top-notch three point shot to the Eagles; he can also drive to the basket.

Joe Epkey is a good defender and rebounder in the post. Dylan Pline is a good ball handler who can score on slashes to the basket. Isaac Thelen is a sophomore who has been on the varsity all year. He defends well either on the perimeter or in the post and rebounds well. Jonah Thelen is a fine scorer who can slash to the basket or hit shots from the three point line. Augustine Spitzley is a tall guy who is really quick and fast for someone his height. He is a big defensive factor in the post or on the perimeter.

Breckenridge beat Vestaburg Monday night to earn its spot in this district semifinal. Here is a play by play of that game. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2025/02/25/vestaburg-vs-breckenridge-mhsaa-boys-basketball-district-first-round-the-bleacher-denizen-february-24-2025-by-chuck-krafft/

Junior Noah Barr is an excellent athlete with great skills. He is a strong three point shooter and drives to the basket well. He hit a number of key free throws in the district first round win as well. Zander Mapes is a tough defender and rebounder in the post who is also a versatile scorer who can score on post moves or hit the three point shot. Maddax McCaw runs the point where he is a dependable ball handler and goot perimeter defender.

Freshmen Gavin Corbat and Carter Suhr have been improving all season and now have important roles on the Huskie varsity. Gavin Corbat is a fine athlete who also quarterbacks the football team. He defends well on the perimeter and also competes in the post where he can score or hit free throws after he is fouled. Carter Suhr is a perimeter player who can score on outside shots off the dribble. He also hit some important free throws in the first round win.

Blazer Snyder and Aimon Humm bring energy to the Huskie perimeter defense. Isaac Bush defends well in the post and is a good rebounder.

Let’s take a look at the events of this game through the occasionally open eyes of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never ablt to escape church league in the days of yore when he attempted to hoop. When his coach tried to convince your Bleacher Denizen that defense consisted more of yelling “BOO” at your man from twenty feet away as he tries to shoot, your Bleacher Denizen could not adapt. As more and more opponents set personal scoring records when he tried to guard them, his playing time shriveled and then disappeared.

Fowler wins the opening tap. The Eagles miss a threeball from the side. Aaron Simon grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Jacob Halfmann passes to Aaron Simon, who hits a threeball from the side to give Fowler the first three points of the game. Alex Halfmann knocks the ball away from Breckenridge and Jacob Halfmann picks it up for Fowler. Jacob Halfmann gives it back to Alex Halfmann, who hits a layup to give the Eagles a 5-0 lead.

Breckenridge is whistled for a traveling violation; it negates a made ten foot shot in the lane. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. Alex Halfmann pulls down the offensive rebound for Fowler. The Halfmann connection comes through for the Eagles as Alex passes to Jacob, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Maddax McCaw hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line to trim the Fowler lead to 8-2.

Fowler misses a three pointer from the corner. Breckenridge misses a layup. Fowler misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Alex Halfmann taps the offensive rebound to an Eagle teammate. Alex Halfmann drives and is fouled on a layup. Alex Halfmann pours in two free throws to give Fowler a 10-2 lead with 5:16 left in the opening quarter.

Breckenridge throws a pass out of bounds. Fowler misfires on a threeball from the corner. Gavin Corbat is fouled on a fast break layup and hits two free throws for Breckenridge. Trey Most knocks a Fowler pass out of bounds; the Eagles retain possession. Fowler misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Augustine Spitzley pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a reverse layup.

Aaron Simon knocks a Huskie pass out of bounds; Breckenridge retains possession. Isaac Thelen dives and steals the ball for the Eagles. Asher Koenigsknecht passes to Alex Halfmann, who hits an eight foot shot from the side of the lane for the Eagles. Breckenridge is whistled for a traveling violation. Fowler throws a cross court pass out of bounds; Breckenridge gets the ball. Dylan Pline steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler misses a fast break layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler gets another possession. Jacob Halfmann drives and hits a layup to give Fowler a 14-4 lead.

Jacob Halfmann stands tall in the lane and forces a Breckenridge traveling violation. Zander Mapes knocks a Fowler pass into the lane out of bounds. Fowler retains possession. Alex Halfmann passes to Aaron Simon, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Fowler. Aaron Simon steals the ball for the Eagles. Isaac Bush gets his hand on the ball and Fowler loses it out of bounds. Fowler’s stiff defense prevents Breckenridge from inbounding the ball in the required five seconds; Fowler takes possession. Jacob Halfmann passes to Augustine Spitzley, who hits a reverse layup to give Fowler a 19-4 lead.

Jacob Halfmann knocks the ball away from Breckenridge, but the Huskies recover. Augustine Spitzley tips the ball away from Breckenridge and Alex Halfmann grabs it for Fowler. Fowler misses a threeball from the corner. Alex Halfmann hits a putback for the Eagles. Asher Koenigsknecht steals the ball for Fowler. The Eagles miss a fast break layup. Breckenridge misses a long heave as the first quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After one quarter, Fowler has a 21-4 lead.

Breckenridge inbounds the ball to start the second quarter. The Huskies miss a three point shot from the wing. Fowler commits an offensive foul to negate a layup. Breckenridge misses a three point shot from the wing. Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Breckenridge misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. Fowler misses a layup. Alex Halfmann is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to boost the Fowler lead to 23-4 with 6:51 left in the first half.

Isaac Thelen gets his hand on a Huskie pass, but Breckenridge recovers. Gavin Corbat hits a twelve foot shot from the side for the Huskies. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Isaac Thelen gets the offensive rebound and hits a twelve foot shot from the side for the Eagles. Breckenridge misses a ten footer off the dribble from the side. Isaac Bush hits a putback for the Huskies and is fouled. He hits his free throw to shave the Fowler lead to 25-9 with 5:18 to play in the half.

Fowler fumbles a pass out of bounds. Gavin Corbat hits a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the side for Breckenridge. Fowler is fouled on a shot, but misses two free throws. Augustine Spitzley pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. Augustine Spitzley blocks a Huskie fast break layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Breckenridge gets possession. The Huskies miss a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Noah Barr drives and hits a layup to cut the Eagle lead to 25-13.

Fowler is whistled for a three seconds (in the lane) violation. Gavin Corbat is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for Breckenridge. Fowler misses a three point shot near the top of the key. Gavin Corbat passes to Carter Suhr, who hits a layup for the Huskies. Isaac Bush knocks the ball away from Fowler and a Huskie teammate picks it up. Breckenridge is fouled, but misses two free throws. With 1:54 left in the first half, Fowler has a 25-17 lead.

Carter Suhr passes to Noah Barr, who hits a three point shot from the corner to chop the Fowler lead to 25-20.

Fowler misses a threeball from the corner. Isaac Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Alex Halfmann hits a putback for the eagles. Breckenridge is whistled for a traveling violation. Jacob Halfmann hits a three pointer near the top of the key to give Fowler a 30-20 lead.

Jacob Halfmann knocks the ball away from Breckenridge and Asher Koenigsknecht picks it up for Fowler. Fowler throws an outlet pass too far and out of bounds. Asher Koenigsknecht steals the ball and hits a layup for the Eagles. Gavin Corbat is fouled and hits two free throws to trim the Fowler lead to 32-22 with 10.9 seconds to play in the first half.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Jacob Halfmann gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup; the halftime buzzer alerts us all that it is time to stop playing before Breckenridge can rebound the ball.

At halftime, Fowler has a 32-22 lead.

Gavin Corbat has 10 points to lead the Breckenridge scoring and Noah Barr has 5 points.

Alex Halfmann has 12 points to lead Fowler at halftime and Jacob Halfmann has 8 points. Aaron Simon has 6 points for the Eagles.

Fowler inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Noah Barr knocks the ball away from Fowler and Gavin Corbat picks it up for Breckenridge. Alex Halfmann steals the ball and is fouled on a fast break dunk attempt. He hits two free throws to give Fowler a 34-22 lead with 7:26 remaining in quarter number three.

Noah Barr drives and hits a reverse layup for Breckenridge. Fowler misses a threeball from the corner. Alex Halfmann pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Aaron Simon passes to Jacob Halfmann, who throws in a threeball from the corner for the Eagles. Zander Mapes is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for Breckenridge to trim the Fowler lead to 37-26 with 6:45 remaining in quarter number three.

Alex Halfmann passes to Asher Koenigsknecht, who is cutting to the basket and hits a layup for Fowler. Trey Most hits a fifteen foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane for Breckenridge. Fowler misses a threeball from the corner. Breckenridge misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler takes possession. Isaac Thelen passes to Asher Koenigsknecht, who tosses in a threeball from the top of the key to boost the Fowler lead to 42-28.

Isaac Thelen taps the ball away from the Huskies and Aaron Simon picks it up for the Eagles. Noah Barr blocks an Eagle fast break layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Fowler gets another opportunity. The Eagles miss a layup. Gavin Corbat passes to Noah Barr, who hits a three pointer from the corner for Breckenridge. Isaac Thelen passes to Asher Koenigsknecht, who throws in a threeball from near the top of the key to give Fowler a 45-31 lead.

Breckenridge misses a jump shot off the dribble from the free throw elbow. Isaac Thelen hits a fast break layup for Fowler. Noah Barr hits a twelve foot shot off the dribble in the lane for Breckenridge. Alex Halfmann passes to Aaron Simon, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Gavin Corbat passes to Zander Mapes, who is fouled on a ten footer from the side of the lane and hits one of his two free throws for Breckenridge. With 2:50 left in quarter number three, Fowler holds a 50-34 lead.

Isaac Bush steals the ball for the Huskies. A Breckenridge traveling violation negates a layup. Fowler misses a six foot shot in the lane. Noah Barr drives and hits a reverse layup for Breckenridge. Asher Koenigsknecht drives and dishes the ball to Alex Halfmann, who hits a layup and is fouled, but misses his free throw. With 1:18 to play in quarter number three, Fowler leads 52-36.

Breckenridge misses a twelve foot shot in the lane. Jacob Halfmann drives and hits a layup for Fowler; he is fouled on the pay and hits his free throw. Alex Halfmann steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Fowler. Noah Barr passes to Trey Most, who is fouled on a six foot banked shot and hits one of his two free throws for Breckenridge. Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Jacob Halfmann is fouled on the putback and hits two free throws for Fowler with 4.8 seconds to go. Jacob Halfmann steals the ball and hits a layup as the buzzer blares.

With three quarters in the books, Fowler has a 61-37 lead.

Breckenridge inbounds the ball to open the final quarter. The Huskies miss a three point shot from the side. Aaron Simon hits a fast break layup for Fowler. Breckenridge misses a ten foot shot from the side. Asher Koenigsknecht goes coast to coast to hit a layup for Fowler. Gavin Corbat drives and hits a reverse layup for the Huskies. Jacob Halfmann whips a cross court pass to Aaron Simon, who throws in a threeball from the corner to give Fowler a 68-39 lead.

Isaac Thelen knocks a Huskie pass out of bounds; Breckenridge retains possession. The Huskies misfire on a triple try from the wing. Trey Most grabs the offensive rebound for the Huskies. Breckenridge misses a layup. Aaron Simon is fouled on a fast break layup and hits two free throws to give Fowler a 70-39 lead with 6:21 left in the contest.

Breckenridge misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side. Aimon Humm knocks the ball away from the Eagles, but Fowler records. Alex Halfmann hits a layup for the Eagles. Breckenridge misses a fifteen foot shot from the side of the lane. Alex Halfmann tosses a pass to Jacob Halfmann, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give Fowler a 75-39 lead.

Brady Feldpausch steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for the Eagles. Breckenridge misses a threeball from the side. Jonah Thelen passes to Alex Halfmann, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Jonah Thelen knocks the ball out of bounds; Breckenridge retains possession. Keegan Suhr passes to Aimon Humm, who hits a layup for Breckenridge. Fowler has an 80-41 lead.

A Fowler foul following the shot gives Breckenridge another possession. Aidan Riley gets a hand on the ball, but Breckenridge recovers. Aidan Riley’s tough defense forces a Breckenridge double dribble violation. Aimon Humm steals the ball for Breckenridge. Dylan Pline steals the ball for Fowler and passes to Ford Phillips, who hits a layup to give Fowler an 82-41 lead.

(Ford Phillips was a star running back for Fowler’s football team and suffered a severe injury during the playoffs. It is great to see that he has healed enough to get into the game!)

Ford Phillips nearly steals the ball for Fowler, but his momentum causes a traveling violation. Keegan Suhr passes to Gavin Corbat, who hits a layup for the Huskies. Carter Suhr knocks a Fowler pass out of bounds. The Eagles retain possession and dribble out the clock.

Fowler wins this district semifinal by the score of 82-43 and will play St. Patrick in Friday’s District Final.

Gavin Corbatt and Noah Barr each had 14 points to lead the Breckenridge scoring. Trey Most, Zander Mapes and Isaac Bush each scored 3 points. Aimon Humm, Maddax McCaw and Carter Suhr each tallied 2 points.

The Halfmann connection came through big-time for Fowler tonight as Alex Halfmann and Jacob Halfmann each scored 21 points to lead four Eagles in double figures. Aaron Simon tossed in 16 points and Asher Koenigsknecht contributed 12 points. Augustine Spitzley and Isaac Thelen each added 4 points. Ford Phillips and Brady Feldpausch each had 2 points.

I also covered the St. Patrick/Fulton game. Here is a link to the play by play of that game. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2025/02/27/portland-st-patrick-vs-fulton-boys-basketball-district-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-february-25-2025-by-chuck-krafft/