Fowler vs. Bellaire – – MSHAA Boys’ Basketball Quarterfinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 11, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen has made the trek to Houghton Lake to watch as the Bellaire Eagles play the Fowler Eagles in the Division 4 Boys Basketball Quarterfinal. Yes, we are down to the point where only the elite eight Division 4 schools are still playing basketball. Bellaire has a 22-4 record and finished tied fir first in the Ski Valley Conference. Fowler is 23-3 and finished second in the rugged Central Michigan Athletic Conference.

Your Bleacher Denizen frequently has success predicting the opening scores of third quarters. Tonight, he will confidently predict that the Eagles will win!

I have seen Fowler play a number of games this year. They have some fine players who have helped them to achieve this excellent season record.

Jacob Halfmann is an excellent guard with a lot of athletic ability and a lot of skills. Let’s just say that if you need a guard to do something in a game, Mr. Halfmann is up to the challenge!! He is an excellent defender who is quick enough to cover the perimeter and tall enough to cover in the post when the situation puts him there. On offense, he is a classic point guard who runs the team, handles the ball, passes with precision and can either get to the basket to score or his shots from the three point line. He is in his fourth year of starting on the Fowler varsity.

Alex Halfmann is a tough presence in the post on offense and defense. He is also an excellent athlete who is in his fourth year of starting on the varsity. He is a fearsome rebounder, shot blocker and general post defender. He scores his share of points on putbacks and post moves, but he also has a fine three point shot.

Asher Koenigsknecht is a quick, athletic guard who is an energetic and persistent perimeter defender. He generates a lot of turnovers from Eagle opponents. On offense, he is a versatile scorer who can attack the basket or hit the three point shot. He handles the ball and passes it well enough to give Fowler a second point guard. Aaron Simon is a tough perimeter defender with a fine three point shot. He is fairly consistent with the shot, but there are nights when he is seemingly incapable of missing.

Joe Epkey is a big, tough defender and rebounder in the post who does a lot of the screening and other unheralded work that all good teams need. Isaac Thelen is a versatile defender who can defend the perimeter or the post effectively. Jonah Thelen is a versatile scorer who can slash to the basket or hit shots from the three point line. Augustine Spitzley is a tall, fast and springy defender who defends the post well and can also help on the perimeter. Dylan Pline is a solid perimeter defender.

Bellaire Coach Paul Koepke had his assistant, Ricky Somers provide me with this information about Bellaire’s players.

Drake Koepke is a four year varsity starter who has run the point all four years. He is tall, strong and athletic. He is capable of slashing to the basket or hitting the three point shot. He is a fierce defender who creates turnovers and can guard every position if needed. Jayden Hansen is another four year starter for the Eagles. He is one of the most accurate three point shooters in Michigan. He is a big guy, who is strong and athletic. He handles the ball well for his size, plays about the rim and can score at the rim, in midrange and from the three point line. He is Bellaire’s all-time leading scorer.

Dawson Derrer is a strong, physical rebounder and defender in the post. He is able to score at the rim and also can hit shots from the corners. Damon Fos is a big-bodied player who defends players in the post. He is also able to cover perimeter players and is a tough rebounder as well. He does a lot of the screening and unsung work that all good teams need. He is a good passer and runs the floor well.

Corperryale Somers is a quick guard who takes a lot of pride in his defense. He is a shifty ball handler who keeps the ball moving. He handles the ball and passes well enough to play the point at times. He is a strong three point shooter who can also slash to the rim to score.

Keegan Lapardo-Lovett brings energy to the Eagle lineup, especially on defense. He is also a fine three point shooter. Caedmon Lecureax plays tough defense in the post and can also guard perimeter players. Ethan Lambert can defend all positions with great energy. Junior Wandjison is a versatile player who is an asset on both ends of the floor. He is a great on-ball defender and rebounds well for a guard. He can score on slashes to the basket, in the midrange game and from the three point line.

Your Bleacher Denizen fought off the effects of Daylight Savings time and made his way to Houghton Lake to see the game. I managed to get up north without falling asleep at the wheel and made my way to the Houghton Lake gym, which is a beautiful facility!!

It is now time to review the events of this game through the occasionally clear vision of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league in ages past when he attempted to hoop. One problem is that he was confused about turnovers. His bosses at the bakery were really complimentary and praised him for making lots of turnovers. However, his coach had a completely different idea when the Bleacher Denizen made turnovers on the basketball court. This resulted in some conflict which eventually resulted in the Bleacher Denizen watching players who made fewer turnovers instead of playing.

Bellaire wins the opening tap. Jacob Halfmann gets his hand on the ball, but Bellaire recovers. Bellaire misses a layup. Fowler missds a threeball from the wing. Bellaire misses a jumper from the free throw elbow. Fowler misses a driving layup. The Halfmann connection comes through for Fowler as Alex knocks the ball away from Bellaire and Jacob picks it up for Fowler. Alex Halfmann passes to Aaron Simon, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give Fowler a 3-0 lead.

Alex Halfmann knocks the ball out of bounds; Bellaire gets another opportunity. Bellaire misses a layup. Drake Koepke steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to trim the Fowler lead to 3-2.

Aaron Simon hits a fifteen foot shot from the baseline for Fowler. Bellaire misses a driving layup. Fowler reciprocates and misses a driving layup. Dawson Derrer blocks a Fowler putback. Fowler recovers the ball. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. Joe Epkey fiercely defends a Bellaire dribbler who steps on the baseline. Fowler misses a driving layup.

Bellaire commits an offensive foul. Damon Fox knocks the ball away from Fowler and Dawson Derrer picks it up for Bellaire. Bellaire misses a three point shot from the side. Jacob Halfmann passes to Damon Pline, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Fowler an 8-2 lead.

Dylan Pline draws a charging foul from Bellaire. Jacob Halfmann drives and hits a layup for Fowler. Dylan Pline gets his hand on the ball and forces a Bellaire traveling violation. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. Alex Halfmann ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow was up late last night doing its spring cleaning. It groggily looks up and somehow knows to award the ball to Fowler. Jacob Halfmann inbounds the ball to Joe Epkey, who hits a layup that gives Fowler a 12-2 lead.

Bellaire is whistled for an offensive foul. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Jacob Halfmann gets his hand on the ball and knocks it out of bounds; Bellaire retains possession. Joe Epkey gets his hand on the ball and a Bellaire dribbler loses it out of bounds. Drake Koepke gets a hand on the ball, but Fowler is able to recover. Asher Koenigsknecht hits a fifteen foot shot from the side as the first quarter buzzer calls an end to the quarter.

After one quarter, Fowler has a 14-2 lead.

Bellaire inbounds the ball to begin the second quarter. Bellaire misses a driving layup. Dawson Derrer is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to trim the Fowler lead to 14-4 with 7:37 remaining in the second quarter.

Aaron Simon fakes a shot, takes a dribble, makes another fake and hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for Fowler. Bellaire misfires on a threeball from the side. Fowler reciprocates and misfires on a threeball from the side. Jacob Halfmann pulls down the offensive rebound for Fowler. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. Aaron Simon grabs the offensive rebound for Fowler. Fowler misses a six foot shot in the lane. Jacob Halfmann steals the ball for Fowler. Fowler turns the ball over. Bellaire commits an offensive foul. Jacob Halfmann drives and dishes the ball to Aaron Simon, who swishes a threeball from the wing to give Fowler a 19-4 lead.

Aaron Simon steals the ball for Fowler. Jacob Halfmann passes to Asher Koenigsknecht, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Fowler. Bellaire throws a pass out of bounds. Fowler misses a six foot shot in the lane. Augustine Spitzley pulls down the offensive rebound for Fowler. Fowler misses a threeball from the corner. Alex Halfmann hits a putback to give the Eagles a 24-4 lead.

Bellaire turns the ball over. Fowler reciprocates and turns the ball over. Alex Halfmann tips the ball away from Bellaire and Augustine Spitzley picks it up for Fowler. Dawson Derrer steals the ball for Bellaire. Alex Halfmann blocks a Bellaire fast break layup. Aaron Simon hits a three pointer from the corner for Fowler. Bellaire misfires on a three point shot from the top of the key. Aaron Simon hits a fast break layup to give Fowler a 29-4 lead.

Bellaire misses a layup. The ball wedges between the backboard and the rim. Before your Bleacher Denizen can gallantly rise from his seat, leap and tap the ball out of its shackles, one of the players tips the ball out. Alas, no one ever asks me to help when this happens. Put me in, COACH!!!

The Possession Arrow looks up from its mug of Espresso and groggily awards the ball for Fowler. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Bellaire misses a layup. Damon Fox grabs the offensive rebound for Bellaire. Bellaire misses a layup. Perry Somers steals the ball for Bellaire. Asher koenigsknecht steals the ball and hits a layup for Fowler. Drake Koepke hits a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the side for Bellaire. Asher Koenigsknect drives and hits a layup for Fowler. Bellaire misses a half court shot as the second quarter buzzer makes us all aware that it is here.

Fowler has a 33-6 lead at halftime.

Drake Koepke has 4 points for Bellaire at halftime.

Aaron Simon has 15 points for Fowler and Asher Koenigsknecht has 9 points for Fowler.

Bellaire inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Drake Koepke is fouled on a three pointer from the side and hits two of his three free throws for Bellaire. Asher Koenigsknecht hits a fifteen foot shot off the dribble from the wing for Fowler. Bellaire misses a threeball from the corner. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Joe Epkey gets the offensive rebound for Fowler. Fowler misses a layup. Bellaire reciprocates and misses a layup. Aaron Simon sinks a threeball from the corner to boost the Fowler lead to 38-8.

Bellaire misses a jump shot from the free throw line. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler gets the ball. There is another connection by the Halfmanns as Jacob passes to Alex, who makes a short drive and hits a reverse layup for Fowler. Bellaire watches a threeball from the side go in and out of the basket. Jacob Halfmann is fouled on a fast break layup and hits two free throws to give Fowler a 42-8 lead with 5:02 to play in quarter number three.

Drake Koepke backs ito the lane and banks in a ten foot shot for Bellaire. Aaron Simon drives and hits a layup for Fowler. He is fouled on the play and hits his free throw. Dylan Pline dives and steals the ball for Fowler. Jacob Halfmann passes to Isaac Thelen, who hits a fast break layup for Fowler. Bellaire loses the ball out of bounds. Jacob Halfmann passes to Aaron Simon, who is cutting to the basket and hits a layup for Fowler. Dylan Pline dives and steals the ball for Fowler. Aaron Simon is fouled on a driving layup and makes two free throws to give Fowler a 51-10 lead with 3:42 remaining in quarter number three.

Bellaire misses a threeball from the wing. Dylan Pline drives and hits a layup for Fowler. Drake Koepke drives and scoops in a layup for Bellaire. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. Augustine Spitzley is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to boost the Fowler lead to 54-21 with about 1:20 to go in quarter number three.

Jonah Thelen knocks the ball out of bounds; Bellaire retains possession. Drake Koepke hits a three point shot off the dribble from the wing for Bellaire. Jonah Thelen drives and hits a twelve foot shot in the lane for Fowler. Isaac Thelen steals the ball for Fowler. Dylan Pline passes to Isaac Thelen, who hits a layup for Fowler. Bellaire hits a twelve foot shot from the side, but it is after the buzzer and does not count.

After three quarters, Fowler has a 58-15 lead.

Fowler inbounds the ball to start the final quarter. Fowler dribbles from the side and misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Dylan Pline steals the ball for Fowler. He makes a great fake and hits a fast break layup. Bellaire misses a three point shot from the wing. Fowler misses a driving layup. Drake Koepke hits a three point shot from the wing for Bellaire. Aiden Riley is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws to give Fowler a 61-18 lead with about 5:40 left on the clock.

Perry Somers slings in a threeball from the wing for Bellaire. Drake Koepke blocks a Fowler driving layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Fowler gets another opportunity. Drake Koepke knocks the ball out of bounds; Fowler gets the ball back. Luke Smith gets a hand on the ball and Drake Koepke picks it up for Bellaire. Fowler blocks a Bellaire fast break layup. Dylan Pline hits a fast break layup for Fowler. Brady Feldpausch steals the ball and hits a layup to give Fowler a 65-21 lead.

Bellaire misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Bellaire steals the ball. Bellaire misses a layup. Fowler is whistled for a traveling violation. Bellaire is called for traveling on a drive to the basket. Fowler misses a layup. Anthony Epkey gets the offensive rebound for Fowler. Fowler misses a layup and fouls on the rebound.

Tucker Molski passes to Keegan Lopardo-Lovett, who hit a three point shot from the wing for Bellaire. Fowler misses a ten foot shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Bellaire takes possession. Keegan Lopardo-Lovett hits a three point shot from the wing for Bellaire. Fowler runs out the clock.

Fowler wins this game 65-27 and will play Allen Park Inter-City Baptist in the State Semifinal at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University this Thursday.

Drake Koepke led the Bellaire scoring with 16 points. Keegan Lopardo-Lovett scored 6 points. Corperryale Somers had 3 points and Dawson Derrer put in 2 points.

Aaron Simon had a great shooting day and led Fowler with 25 points. Asher Koenigsknecht joined his teammate in double figures with 11 points. Dylan Pline contributed 9 points. Jacob Halfmann, Isaac Thelen and Alex Halfmann each chipped in with 4 points. Brady Feldpausch, Jonah Thelen and Joe Epkey each added 2 points. Aiden Riley and Augustine Spitzley each tallied 1 point.