Grand Ledge at Portland – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 2, 2026 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen is at Portland High School where the Raiders will take on the Comets from Grand Ledge in a girls’ basketball game. Portland enters this game with a 3-1 record; Grand Ledge is 0-4 so far this season.

As we wait for the game to begin, I hope you will enjoy this cover video of “Four In The Morning” from my You Tube Channel!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwKDbxp-uuE

Coach Jason Haid provided me with the following information about his Raiders.

Lilly Thelen is a four-year varsity starter who makes plays on both sides of the ball. On defense, she uses her length, speed and quickness to get into passing lanes and generate steals. On offense, she pushes the pace aggressively and can score either from the three point line or on slashes to the basket as well as the layups she generates from her steals.

Summer Stopcynski is another four year varsity player for the Raiders. She is a solid three point shooter. She is strong enough to finish shots in the paint even if she is fouled. She is a tough, physical defender who also rebounds well. Bella Spitzley is also in her fourth year of varsity basketball. She is a strong outside shooter who provides excellent on-ball defense.

Forward Claire Lyon is a great passer and capable three point shooter who uses footwork and post moves to score near the basket as well. She plays tough, physical defense and can guard multiple positions. Leigha Roberson is a tough junior forward who has excellent hands, great footwork and strength that make it really hard for opponents to stop her in the post. Because she has to be guarded inside, it opens a lot of opportunities for her teammates to get open on the perimeter.

Selia Spitzley runs the floor well and is an aggressive, physical rebounder. Maggie Morre is an excellent outside shooter and a solid defender. Kennedy Haid pushes the ball well in transition and is a threat to hit the outside shot. Jadyn Thelen is a good rebounder who shoots well.

Grand Ledge Coach Ara Parseghian provided me with this information about his Comet players.

Lexi Raska is a four year varsity player who is a complete guard. She is a tough perimeter defender who generally guards the opponent’s best offensive player. She can play either the point guard or shooting guard position. She handles the ball and passes well. She can hit the three point shot or slash to the basket to score.

Abbey Fiero is a post player who is a solid defender, scorer, rebounder and passer. Avi Skinner is a quick perimeter defender who excels at covering opponents on the ball. She is a solid ball handler who can score on slashes to the basket or shots from the three point line. Addy McLean is an energetic perimeter defender who creates a lot of turnovers for the opposition. She is also a good rebounder for a guard.

Genna Ketola has great post moves and scores well near the basket. She is a solid defender in the post and rebounds well. Teagan Beaty is a hustling perimeter defender who can score from the three point line or on slashes to the basket. Breslyn Long communicates well and works hard in the post where she is an effective defender and rebounder.

Mya Starks is a good perimeter defender who can hit the three point shot. Ava Jackson is an excellent perimeter defender who is a threat from the three point line and an excellent free throw shooter. Alaina Parker has a good basketball IQ. She plays in the post where she defends and rebounds well. She can also defend on the perimeter. She is a fine three point shooter as well.

Emily Burger is an athletic perimeter defender with a solid three point shot. Cadddy Baumer is a great and energetic teammate who puts that energy to good use when she defends and rebounds in the post. Amelia Bryant is a great teammate with a strong basketball IQ who has an accurate midrange shot. Liv Schoessel is a guard who defends the perimeter, handles the ball, passes and shoots three point shots well.

I got to the Portland gym in time to see almost all of the JV game. Grand Ledge got out to a 15-8 lead in the first quarter. Portland outscored Grand Ledge 8-5 in the second quarter to cut the Comet halftime lead to 20-16. Grand Ledge extended its lead to 36-24 by outscoring Portland 16-8 in the third quarter.

Portland cut into the Grand Ledge lead during the fourth quarter and got to within five points at 41-36 with about a minute left when Kameryn Burnham stole the ball and hit a fast break layup. Liv Schoessel hit three free throws for the Comets in the final minute and Grand Ledge held Portland scoreless during that time. The Comet JV won this game by the final score of 44-36.

Isadora Robydek led the Portland JV scoring with 10 points. Kameryn Burnham, Elyse Leik and Taylor Huhn each chipped in with 6 points. Peyton Spedoske scored 5 points. Brooklynne Parkhurst added 2 points and Jace Nye tallied 1 point.

Faith Lovell and Liv Schoessel each had 12 points to lead the Comet JV scoring. Lucille Day joined her teammates in double figures with 10 points. Addyson Ledbetter contributed 4 points. Adriella Evans and Savannah Flory each had 3 points.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the occasionally alert eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play the game in the ancient past times. He was showing some promise as a shot blocker before everything fell apart when he was no longer allowed to use a jet pack to add height to his jumps. When the other team started consistently scoring over your Bleacher Denizen, his coach started consistently playing the other players while he sat.

Portland wins the opening tap. Clarie Lyon passes to Summer Stopcynski, who throws in a threeball from the corner to give the Raiders the first three points of the game. Summer Stopcynski steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misfires on a triple try from the side. Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. Aleigha Roberson pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup.

Grand Ledge misses a six foot banked shot. Addy McLean knocks the ball away from Portland and Avi Skinner picks it up for Grand Ledge. The Comets miss a layup. Portland misses a twelve footer from the side. Lilly Thelen steals the ball and scoops in a layup to give Portland a 5-0 lead.

Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. Grand Ledge misses a six foot banked shot. Addy McLean knocks the ball away from Portland and Avi Skinner picks it up for Grand Ledge. The Comets miss a ten foot shot from the baseline. Addy McLean gets the offensive rebound for Grand Ledge.

Summer Stopcynski steals the ball for the Raiders. Lexi Raska steals the ball for the Comets. Aaleigha Roberson taps the ball away from the Comets, but Grand Ledge recovers. Aaleigha Roberson steals a Comet pass. Aaleigha Roberson passes the ball to Claire Lyon, who hits a jump shot from the free throw line to boost the Portland lead to 7-0.

Lilly Thelen steals a Comet pass. Addy McLean gets her hand on the ball, but the Raiders recover. Portland misses a threeball from the side. Claire Lyon hits a putback for the Raiders. Avi Skinner passes to Addy McLean, who throws in a threeball from the side for Grand Ledge and trims the Portland lead to 9-3.

Lilly Thelen passes to Claire Lyon, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Claire Lyon knocks a Comet pass out of bounds; Grand Ledge retains possession. Grand Ledge misses an eight foot banked shot from the side. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Grand Ledge misses a layup. Breslyn Long gets the offensive rebound for the Comets.

Selia Spitzley knocks the ball away from Grand Ledge and Bella Spitzley picks it up for Portland. Portland misses a jumper from the three throw line. Grand Ledge commits an offensive foul. Kennedy Haid passes to Lilly Thelen, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Portland. Mya Starks passes to Lexi Raska, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Grand Ledge. Lilly Thelen drives and dishes the ball to Aaleigha Roberson, who is fouled as she shoots a layup. Aaleigha Roberson hits two free throws to give Portland a 16-6 lead with 1:07 remaining in the opening quarter.

Lexi Raska passes to Genna Ketola, who hits a twelve foot shot in the lane for Grand ledge. Lilly Thelen saves a tipped pass to prevent a Raider turnover. Lilly Thelen passes to Aaleigha Roberson, who hits a layup for Portland. Grand Ledge does not have time to shoot before the first quarter buzzer seeks attention by blaring to end the quarter.

After one quarter, Portland has an 18-8 lead.

Grand Ledge inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. The Comets miss a jump shot off the dribble from the free throw elbow. Portland misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Claire Lyon ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow looks up from its embroidery project; loves Ms. Lyon’s hustle and awards the ball to the Raiders. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Summer Stopcynski is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to give Portland a 19-7 lead with 7:04 remaining in the quarter.

Summer Stopcynski knocks a pass out of bounds; Grand Ledge retains possession. Lexi Raska passes to Abbey Fiero, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Grand Ledge. Portland misses a threeball from the side. Grand Ledge misses a threeball from the top of the key. Portland misses a threeball from the side. Aaleigha Roberson gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. Aaleigha Roberson hits a putback for Portland; she is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 5:36 remaining in the opening half, Portland’s lead is at 21-11.

Aaleigha Roberson ties the ball up for the Raiders. The Possession Arrow has just pricked a finger with the needle and misses the play; the ball is awarded to Grand Ledge. Genna Ketola is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws for Grand Ledge. Genna Ketola knocks the ball away from Portland, but the Raiders recover.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Summer Stopcynski gets her hand on a Grand Ledge pass into the lane and knocks it out of bounds. Portland takes possession. Portland beats the Grand Ledge press and Summer Stopcynski hits a fast break layup. She is fouled on the play and sinks her free throw to boost the Portland lead to 24-12 with 4:08 to play in the quarter.

Grand Ledge misses a driving layup. Portland misses an eight foot scooped shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Grand Ledge takes possession. Addy McLean drives the lane and dishes the ball to Breslyn Long, who is fouled on a short hook shot. Breslyn Long hits one of her two free throws to trim the Portland lead to 24-13 with 3:21 to go in the second quarter.

Portland bounces a pass out of bounds. Lilly Thelen blocks a Comet layup; the loose ball goes out of bounds and the Raiders get the ball. Lilly Thelen passes to Claire Lyon, who tosses in a three pointer from the side for Portland. Lilly Thelen knocks the Comet inbound pass out of bounds; Grand Ledge retains possession. Avi Skinner hits a twelve foot shot off the dribble for Grand Ledge. The Spitzley Connection comes through as Bella Spitzley passes to Selia Spitzley, who hits a layup to give Portland a 29-15 lead.

Grand Ledge misses a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the side. Portland misses a layup. Claire Lyon grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Grand Ledge throws a pass too high and it sails out of bounds. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Aaleigha Roberson pulls down the long offensive rebound for the Comets. Portland misses a driving layup. Aaleigha Roberson hits a putback to give the Raiders a 31-15 lead.

Selia Spitzley blocks a Grand Ledge twelve foot attempt from the side. Portland misses a threeball from the wing just before the halftime buzzer decides it is time for a break.

Portland takes a 31-15 lead into the locker room at halftime. If your Bleacher Denizen’s future prediction powers are working, Portland will also have a 31-15 lead when the third quarter opens.

Abbey Fiero, Lexi Raska, Addy McLean and Genna Ketola each have 3 points to lead Grand Ledge at halftime.

Claire Lyons leads the Portland scoring at halftime with 9 points. Aaleigha Roberson has 8 points; Summer Stopcynski has 7 points and Lilly Thelen has 5 points.

As there are no halftime activities today, I hope you will enjoy these videos from my You Tube Channel as we wait for the second half to start!

“Bring it on Home to Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flgzousiL9g

“Down South in New Orleans” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QUZ5FrpeFA

It’s time to start the third quarter. Your Bleacher Denizen is proud to announce that as he predicted, the score is 31-15 to start the third quarter. In an embarrassing moment, your Bleacher Denizen gets stuck in a contorted position patting himself on the back for his accuracy. Fortunately, the Bleacher Denizen finally frees himself so he can take notes for the second half.

Portland inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Aaleigha Roberson drives and hits a layup for the Raiders. Lilly Thelen steals the ball and is fouled on a layup. She hits one of her two free throws for the Raiders. Aaleigha Roberson steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a fast break layup. Bella Spitzley is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to give Portland a 35-15 lead with 7:19 remaining in quarter number three.

Grand Ledge misses a three point shot from the wing. Claire Lyon passes the ball to Summer Stopcynski, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Summer Stopcynski steals the ball for Portland. Lilly Thelen is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws for Portland. Grand Ledge misses a ten foot shot from the baseline. Ava Jackson grabs the offensive rebound for the Comets. Grand Ledge misses a ten foot shot from the side. Bella Spitzley passes to Lilly Thelen, who throws in a threeball from the side to give Portland a 41-15 lead.

Genna Ketola drives and hits a layup for Grand Ledge to stop Portland’s fourteen point scoring run. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Lexi Raska steals the ball for the Comets. Aaleigha Roberson blocks a Comet layup. Lilly Thelen drives and banks in an eight foot shot to give Portland a 43-17 lead.

Lexi Raska drives the baseline and hits a layup for the Comets. Genna Ketola knocks a Raider pass out of bounds; Portland retains possession. The Raiders miss on a threeball from the side. Summer Stopcynski hits a putback for the Raiders. Grand Ledge commits an offensive foul. Genna Ketola knocks a Raider pass out of bounds; Portland retains possession.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Selia Spitzley grabs the offensive board for the Raiders. Portland misses a driving layup. Selia Spitzley plays tough defense and forces a Comet dribbler to step out of bounds. Kennedy Haid launches a cross court pass to Lilly Thelen, who throws in a threeball from the wing for Portland. Grand Ledge misses a layup. Portland is fouled, but misses two free throws. With 2:16 to go in quarter number three, the Portland lead is at 48-19.

Grand Ledge misses a layup. Avi Skinner gets the offensive rebound for the Comets. Claire Lyon knocks a Comet pass out of bounds; Grand Ledge retains possession. Claire Lyon steals the ball for Portland. The Raiders miss a three point shot from the corner. Lilly Thelen steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Portland. Lilly Thelen knocks the ball away from the Comets and Jadyn Thelen picks it up for the Raiders. Lexi Raska gets into the lane, spins and is fouled on a twelve foot shot. She hits one of her two free throws. With 39.5 seconds to go in quarter number three, Portland has a 51-20 lead.

Portland misses a driving layup. Claire Lyon snares the offensive board for the Raiders and hits a six for shot off the dribble from the baseline. Grand Ledge misses a three point shot from the wing. Claire Lyon hits a fast break layup for the Raiders. The buzzer comes out of its shell and booms out the announcement that quarter number three is over.

With three quarters in the books, Portland holds a 55-20 lead.

Grand Ledge inbounds the ball to open the final quarter. The Comets miss a driving layup. Avi Skinner and Lexi Raska double team Portland’s rebounder and force her to travel. Grand Ledge misses a three point shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Avi Skinner knocks the ball away from the Raiders and Lexi Raska picks it up for the Comets. Lexi Raska passes to Abbey Fiero, who hits a layup to shave the Portland lead to 55-22.

Lexi Raska knocks the ball out of bounds; Grand Ledge retains possession. Jadyn Thelen passes to Selia Spitzley, who is fouled on a shot and hits one of her two free throws. Grand Ledge misses a twelve footer off the dribble from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Comets get another opportunity. Grand Ledge misses a three pointer from the wing.

Portland misses a three pointer from the side. Maggie Moore ties up the offensive rebound for the Raiders. The Possession Arrow loves her hustle and sets down her embroidery pattern so the ball can be awarded to Portland. Claire Lyon catches the inbound pass and hits a six foot banked shot from the side for Portland. Abbey Fiero drives and hits a layup for Grand Ledge. LIlly Thelen passes to Aaleigha Roberson, who hits a layup to boost the Raider lead to 60-24.

Grand Ledge misses a threeball from the corner. Avi Skinner pulls down the offensive rebound for the Comets. Grand Ledge misfires on a triple try from the wing. Kennedy Haid passes to Maggie Moore, who hits a long two point shot from the corner for Portland to give the Raiders a 62-24 lead.

Grand Ledge misses a jump shot. Avi Skinner steals the ball for Grand Ledge. Selia Spitzley blocks a Comet layup; the loose ball goes out of bounds and the Comets get another opportunity. Emily Burger passes to Alaina Parker, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for the Cometes. With 3:12 left on the clock, Portland’s lead is at 62-25.

Lexi Raska steals the ball for the Comets. Grand Ledge misses a fast break layup. Jadyn Thelen hits a six foot shot off the dribble from the side for Portland. Grand Ledge misses a layup. Selia Spitzley passes to Claire Lyon, who drills a threeball from the wing for Portland. Lexi Raska is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Grand Ledge. With 1:20 remaining in the game, Portland has a 67-26 lead.

Portland misses a layup. Jadyn Thelen snares the offensive board for the Raiders. Claire Lyon passes to Selia Spitzley, who hits a layup for Portland. Grand Ledge misses a three point shot from the wing. Mya Starks ties up the offensive rebound for the Comets. The Possession Arrow loves her hustle and decides to give the Comets another possession. Grand Ledge misses a layup. Portland dribbles out the last few seconds.

Portland wins this game by the final score of 69-26.

Lexi Raska and Abbey Fiero each had 7 points to lead the Grand Ledge scoring. Genna Ketola added 5 points. Addy McLean scored 3 points. Avi Skinner added 2 points. Alaina Parker and Breslyn Long each tallied 1 point.

Portland had four players score in double figures. Lilly Thelen scored 17 points, Claire Lyon had 16 points, Aaleigha Roberson had 12 points and Summer Stopcynski had 11. Selia Spitzley added 5 points and Jadyn Thelen chipped in with 4. Bella Spitzley and Maggie Moore each scored 2 points.