Frankenmuth vs. Tecumseh – – MHSAA Girls Division 2 State Semifinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 21, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen is at the Breslin Center at Michigan State to watch the Frankenmuth Eagles Girls Basketball team take on the Indians from Tecumseh. Frankenmuth enters the game with a 23-4 record while Tecumseh is at 25-1.

Frankenmuth is your Bleacher Denizen’s Alma Mater. It is exciting to see the Eagles at this point. They made the final game a couple years ago. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2023/03/19/frankenmuth-vs-lansing-catholic-girls-basketball-mhsaa-division-2-state-final-the-bleacher-denizen-march-18-2023-by-chuck-krafft/

I got to the gym in plenty of time to set up my laptop and get ready for the opening tip. While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this cover of the Dave Clark Five’s “Can’t You See That She’s Mine” from my You Tube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEc_2hjvblA

Tecumseh is rated #2 in Division Two this season. Their only loss is to #1 Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard. They have big wins over Goodrich and Detroit Edison as well as Division 1 Temperance Bedford so far this year. Here are some players noted in the MHSAA Playoff Preview.

Alli Zajac averages 14.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Her sister, Addi Zajac averages 13.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Makayla Schlorf averages 12 points and 3.1 assists. She has hit 32 three point baskets so far this year. Chloe Bullinger scores 9.2 points and passes out 3.7 assists per game. Ashlyn Moorehead scores 9.0 points and dishes out 4.3 assists.

Frankenmuth is rated #4 in Division 2. They have impressive wins over Gladstone, Freeland, Detroit Edison and Goodrich in Division 2. They have also beaten Division 1 powers Saginaw Heritage and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. The Eagles also bring some impressive players to the game.

Clare Conzelmann scores 16.4 points per game and has hit 70 three point shots so far this year. Macy Donovan scores 10.7 points per game. Izzy Bernthal averages 9.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Lucy Conzelmann has contributed 31 three point baskets to the Eagle cause.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the aging eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in the Days of Yore. It seems that your Bleacher Denizen tossed up too many bricks and they severely damaged the peach baskets we shot at back in the day. Because the team could no longer afford to replace peach baskets, your Bleacher Denizen was cut and never able to resume playing.

Tecumseh wins the opening tap. Rosemary Brenner knocks the ball away from the Indians and Macy Donovan picks it up for the Eagles. Frankenmuth travels with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting. Traveling “without the ball” would probably not be very newsworthy.) Rosemary Brenner gets her hand on the ball, but Tecumseh recovers. Tecumseh misses a layup.

Frankenmuth is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. The Eagles foul on the rebound. Ashlyn Moorehead passes to Alli Zajac, who spins and is fouled on a layup. She hits one of her two free throws to give her Indians a 1-0 lead with 6:27 to play in the opening quarter.

Macy Donovan passes to Izzy Bernthal, who throws in a threeball from the corner to give the Eagles their first points. Tecumseh misses a threeball from the corner. Addi Zajac pulls down the offensive rebound for the Indians. Tecumseh misses a layup. Frankenmuth misfires on a threeball from the side. Macy Donovan and Grace Brenner harass Tecumseh and the Indians lose the ball out of bounds.

Frankenmuth drives and misses an eight foot banked hook shot from the side. Tecumseh gets into the lane, but misses a ten foot shot. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles take possession. Grace Brenner passes to Macy Donovan, who hits a layup to give Frankenmuth a 5-1 lead.

Alli Zajac hits a threeball from the top of the key for Tecumseh to shave the Frankenmuth lead to one point. Frankenmuth drives the lane and misses an eight foot runner. Rosemary Brenner gets her hand on the ball, but Tecumseh recovers. Chloe Bullinger drives into the lane and hits a ten foot shot to give Tecumseh a one point lead. Grace Brenner passes to Clare Conzelmann, who hits a three pointer from the top of the key to give Frankenmuth an 8-6 lead.

Lauren Kilbarger passes to Ashlyn Moorehead, who hits a three point shot near the top of the key to pull Tecumseh to a one point lead. Grace Brenner passes to Macy Donovan, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Frankenmuth tp give the Eagles an 11-9 lead.

Tecumseh misses a three point shot from the wing. Chloe Bullinger gets the offensive rebound for the Indians. Tecumseh misses a three point shot from the side. Chloe Bullinger gets the offensive rebound for the Indians.

Izzy Bernthal steals a Tecumseh pass. Grace Brenner drives and dishes the ball to Izzy Bernthal, who is cutting to the basket. Izzy Bernthal hits a liayup for Frankenmuth. Tecumseh misses a turnaround eight foot shot in the lane as the first quarter buzzer blares.

After one quarter, Frankenmuth has a 13-9 lead.

Frankenmuth inbounds the ball to start out the second quarter. The Eagles miss a threeball from the side. Rosemary Brenner grabs the offensive rebound for Frankenmuth. The Eagles miss a driving layup. Tecumseh misses a three pointer from the corner. Clare Conzelmann drives and banks in a six foot shot for the Eagles. Tecumseh misses a threeball from the corner. Addi Zajac hits a putback for Tecumseh. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the corner. Clare Conzelmann hits a putback to give Frankenmuth a 17-11 lead.

Izzy Bernthal steals a fumbled Indian pass. Addi Zajac forces Frankenmuth to miss a driving layup. Tecumseh misses a layup. Addi Zajac hits a putback for the Indians. Grace Brenner passes to Izzy Bernthal, who hits a three point shot from the side to boost the Eagle lead to 20-13.

Izzy Bernthal tips an Indian pass into the lane out of bounds; Tecumseh retains possession. Grace Brenner knocks the ball out; Tecumseh gets the ball back. Clare Conzelmann kicks the ball to disrupt the Indian offense, but Tecumseh gets the ball back. Chloe Bullinger drives and banks in a twelve foot shot in the lane to trim the Frankenmuth lead to 20-15.

Grace Brenner knocks the ball out of bounds; the Indians get the ball back. Maddy Van Black passes to Addi Zajac, who hits a layup for Tecumseh. The Eagles misfire on a threeball from the wing. Tecumseh reciporcates and misfires on a threeball from the wing. Frankenmuth misses a driving eight foot shot from the side. Tecumseh misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Indians get another opportunity.

Tecumseh misfires on a threeball from the wing; Frankenmuth fouls on the rebound. Tecumseh misses a three point shot from the wing. Chloe Bullinger gets the offensive rebound for the Indians. Clare Conzelmann blocks a Tecumseh layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and the Indians get another opportunity. Clare Conzelmann’s tough defense causes Tecumseh to lose the ball out of bounds. Rosemary Brenner passes the ball to Clare Conzelmann, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Frankenmuth a 23-17 lead.

Tecumseh misses a three point shot from the wing. Lauren Kilbarger blocks a Frankenmuth layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and the Eagles get the ball back. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the side. Tecumseh misses a driving layup. Frankenmuth travels with the rebound. Makayla Schlorf passes to Addi Zajac, who is fouled as she shoots a layup. Addi Zajac hits one of her two free throws to shave the Eagle lead to 23-18 with 24.9 seconds to play in the half.

Maddy Van Black dives to tie up a loose ball for Tecumseh. The Possession Arrow is impressed with her hustle and awards the ball to Tecumseh. The Indians are not able to shoot the ball before the second quarter buzzer calls an end to the first half.

Frankenmuth has a 23-18 lead at halftime.

Addi Zajac has 7 points to lead Tecumseh’s scoring at halftime. Alli Zajac and Chloe Bullinger each have 4 points.

Clare Conzelmann has 10 points to lead Frankenmuth. Izzy Bernthal has 8 points and Macy Donovan has 5 points.

Frankenmuth inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Alli Zajac gets a hand on the ball, but the Eagles recover. Macy Donovan passes the ball to Grace Brenner, who relays the ball to her sister, Rosemary Brenner, who hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Tecumseh misses a three pointer from the wing. Grace Brenner inbounds the ball to Clare Conzelmann, who hits a three point shot from the wing to push the Frankenmuth lead to 28-18.

Izzy Bernthal blocks an Indian layup. Addi Zajac recovers the loose ball and hits a layup for Tecumseh. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. Frankenmuth misses a driving layup. Clare Conzelmann knocks the ball away from Tecumseh and Macy Donovan picks it up for Frankenmuth.

The Eagles miss a three point shot from the top of the key. Lucy Conzelmann pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Frankenmuth is fouled on a ten foot shot from the side, but misses both free throws. Tecumseh misses a three point shot from the wing. Macy Donovan is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to boost the Frankenmuth lead to 30-20 with 4:43 to go in quarter number three.

Tecumseh misses a three pointer from the top of ther key. The rebound goes out of bounds and Frankenmuth gets the ball. Frankenmuth misses an eight foot shot from the side of the lane. Chloe Bullinger passes to Ashlyn Moorehead, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Indians. Chloe Bullinger knocks the ball away from Frankenmuth, but the Eagles recover. Frankenmuth misses a three pointer from the side. Tecumseh misses a driving layup. Laruen Kilbarger is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Eagle lead to 30-24 with 3:18 left in quarter number three.

Addi Zajac ties up the ball for Tecumseh. The Possession Arrow likes her aggression and awards the ball to the Indians. Lauren Kilbarger passes to Maklaya Schlorf, who drives and hits a reverse layup for Tecumseh. Frankenmuth misses a three pointer from the wing. Chloe Bullinger passes to Ashlyn Moorhead, who hits a three point shot from the wing to pull Tecumseh to within one point at 30-29.

Lucy Conzelmann hits a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the side for Frankenmuth. Grace Brenner gets a hand on the ball and Tecumseh loses the ball out of bounds. Frankenmuth misfires on a triple try from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Tecumseh takes possession. The Indians miss a layup. Addi Zajac grabs the rebound, hits a putback, is fouled and sinks her free throw to tie the game at 32-32 with 59.8 seconds to go in quarter number three.

Chloe Bullinger steals the ball for Tecumseh. Grace Brenner knocks the ball away from Tecumseh and Izzy Bernthal picks it up for Frankenmuth. The Eagles miss a fast break layup and foul on the rebound. Tecumseh misses a threeball from the side. Chloe Bullinger ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow is distracted watching March Madness on TV. (What is this game, “Chopped Liver?”) Anyway, Frankenmuth gets the ball with 2.4 seconds to play and cannot shoot before the buzzer announces that it is time to end quarter number three.

With three quarters in the books, this game is tied at 32-32.

Tecumseh has the ball to start out the fourth quarter. Ashlyn Moorehead drives and hits a layup to give Tecumseh a two point lead. Frankenmuth loses the ball out of bounds. Macy Donovan taps the ball away from Tecumseh and Izzy Bernthal picks it up for Frankenmuth. The Eagles miss a three point shot from the side. Makayla Schlorf drives and hits a ten foot shot from the side of the lane to give Tecumseh a 36-32 lead.

Makayla Schlorf blocks a Brankdnuth shot. Grace Brenner recovers the ball and hits a layup for Frankenmuth. She is fouled on the play and hits her free throw to bring Frankenmuth back to within one point at 36-35 with 6:10 left on the clock.

Grace Brenner steals the ball for Frankenmuth and is fouled before she can shoot so there are no free throws. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot fromthe wing. Rosemary Brenner snares the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Frankenmuth drives from the side and misses a layup. Tecumseh misses a driving eight foot shot from the side. Addi Zajac is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to give Tecumseh a 38-35 lead with 5:08 remaining in the contest.

Frankenmuth misses a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane. Clare Conzelmann knocks the ball out of bounds; Tecumseh retains possession. Makayla Schlorf passes to Ashlyn Moorehead, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Tecumseh. Makayla Schlorf and Ashlyn Moorehead team up to knock the ball out of bounds; Frankenmuth retains possession.

Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow muses a bit and decides to award the ball to Frankenmuth. Frankenmuth turns the ball over. (Sorry, I was not able to see if it was a travel or the ball was lost out of bounds.) Tecumseh misses a three point shot from the wing. Addi Zajac hits a putback to boost the Indian lead to 43-35.

Ashlyn Moorehead blocks an Eagle six foot shot from the side. Tecumseh loses the ball out of bounds on a too fast break. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Tecumseh takes possession. Makayla Schlorf bursts into the lane and hits a ten foot shot for Tecumseh.

Alli Zajac gets her hand on the ball and it leads to a tieup. The Possession Arrow loves her tough defense and awards the ball to Tecumseh. Lucy Conzelmann steals the ball for the Eagles. Frankenmuth misses a fast break layup. Lucy Conzelmann grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Frankenmuth misses a three pointer from the side. Makayla Schlorf is fouled and hits two free throws to give Tecumseh a 47-35 lead with 1:29 to play.

Chloe Bullinger knocks the ball out of bounds; Frankenmuth retains possession. Clare Conzelmann drives and scoops in a six foot banked shot for Frankenmuth. Chloe Bullinger is fouled and hits two free throws to boost the Tecumseh lead to 49-37 with 59.1 seconds to go.

Frankenmuth misses a three pointer from the side. Rosemary Brenner gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Rosemary Brenner hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow for Frankenmuth. Tecumseh throws a long touchdown pass to Chloe Bullinger, who is fouled as she shoots a layup. Chloe Bullinger hits one of her two free throws and Tecumseh leads 50-39 with 35.5 seconds left.

Frankenmuth misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Macy Donovan hits a putback for the Eagles. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throws. Alli Zajac is fouled and hits two free throws for Tecumseh. Rosemary Brenner passes to Cate Retberg, who hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Tecumseh dribbles out the clock.

Tecumseh wins by the final score of 52-43 and will play Grand Rapids West Catholic in tomorrow night’s Division 2 State Title game.

Clare Conzelmann led the Frankenmuth scoring with 15 points. Macy Donovan chipped in with 9 points and Izzy Bernthal tossed in 8 points. Rosemary Brenner scored 4 points. Grace Brenner added 3 points. Lucy Conzelmann and Cate Retberg each tallied 2 points.

Tecumseh’s Addi Zajac had 16 points to lead all scorers. Ashlyn Moorehead joined her teammate in double figures with 14 points. Makayla Schlorf contributed 8 points. Chloe Bullinger had 7 points and contributed a lot of defense and rebounding as well. Alli Zajac scored 6 points. Lauren Kilbarger tallied 1 point.