Portland St. Patrick at Fowler – – CMAC Boys Basketball Game of the Week – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 3, 2026 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen is headed to Fowler to watch as the Eagles boys host the Shamrocks from Portland St. Patrick in the “CMAC Boys Basketball Game of the Week!” The Eagles are second place in the CMAC with an 11-1 record; their only loss has been to Division 3 power Pewamo-Westphalia. Fowler is 15-1 overall. St. Patrick is in third place in the CMAC with a 9-3 record and are 10-4 overall.

St. Patrick has a number of experienced players in their fourth year of varsity basketball. Charlie Thelen is a senior who brings good size, quickness and skill to the Shamrocks. He is able to defend in the post or on the perimeter. He is a fine rebounder who has a great three point shot and can handle the ball. He also scores inside on putbacks.

Brady Leonard is an athletic fourth year senior who is an outstanding athlete. He is really quick defending the perimeter and he is tough enough to help in the post. He is a great leader who can either slash to the basket to score or hit the three point shot. Jerryd Scheurer is a junior in his fourth year of varsity basketball. (He also played in the eighth grade and made the starting lineup by the end of that year.) He is an quick, tough perimeter defender who handles the ball and passes really well. This year, he is one of the best three point shooters in our area and he is also hard to stop when he drives to the basket.

Tyler Thelen plays in the post where he is one of the area’s best rebounders. He has good moves for scoring in the post and is a tough defender as well. Mason Simon is a good perimeter defender who brings toughness and solid ball handling to the Shamrocks. Aiden Mosser is a strong player who defends well in the perimeter or in the post. Sean Fedewa is a tall perimeter defender who is a fine three point shooter.

Fowler has one starter back and three players who were top substitutes from last years’ state finalists. Joe Epkey, a tough post player, is one of the returning starters. He is a great rebounder and defender who can score in the post even against tough defenses. Dylan Pline was last year’s first guard off the bench. He defends the perimeter well, runs the team, handles the ball well and is tough to stop when he slashes to the basket.

Jonah Thelen and Isaac Thelen were the first two forwards off the bench last year. They are both fine athletes able to defend on the perimeter or in the lane. They are both solid ball handlers who can slash to the basket or get hot from the three point line. Aiden Riley is a versatile defender who can cover opponents on the perimeter or in the post. He slashes to the basketball.

Garrett Klein is a solid perimeter defender with an excellent three point shot. Drew Weber defends the perimeter well. Hudson Fedewa is tall and can rebound and also is a solid interior defender and scorer.

Before I got to the gym, Fowler’s Eagles played the Marshall Redhawks in a freshman game. The Fowler people were great and got me the information so I can include it. Marshall got off to a 26-14 lead at halftime. Fowler was able to close the margin in the second half, but finally lost 41-34.

Bryce Witgen and Dominic Spitzley tied for the Eagle scoring honors with 7 points each. Isaac Koenigsknecht tossed in 6 points. Chase Katich added 5 points. Jonathan Epkey put in 4 points. Andrew Platte added 3 points. Bryce Rademacher and Logan Platte each tallied 1 point.

Jackson Cornwell led the victorious Redhawks with 11 points. Robbie Lampkin and Devin Olsen each supported their teammate with 7 points. Luke Ray pitched in with 5 points. Cole Ervin added 4 points. Zevyn Riddle scored 3 points. J.J. Hill and Max McCormack each had 2 points.

I was able to get to the gym just before halftime of the JV Game. Fowler got off to an 18-11 first quarter lead and extended the lead to 33-18 at halftime. The Eagle JVs gradually pulled away after that and finally won 75-35.

Reed Boyd led the Shamrock JVs with 15 points. Simon Fedewa added 5 points. Emmet Fandel and Liam Mosser each scored 4 points. Gavin Darling put in 3 points. Shane Smith and Nolan Schafer each had 2 points.

Hudson Fedewa led the victorious Eagle JVs with 14 points. Easton Myers joined his teammate in double figures with 10 points. Dalton Thelen contributed 9 points. Eli Thelen pitched in with 8 points. Jesse Andros added 7 points. Beckett Hansen, Thomas Spitzley and Ben Thelen each scored 6 points. Cam Rhynard put in 5 points. Jack O’Hare totaled 4 points.

It is now time to look through the events of this game through the occasionally watchful eyes of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in ancient times. He was never able to learn that while tackling is an acceptable defensive tactic in football, it is frowned upon by basketball referees. (Your Bleacher Denizen was always mystified by the lack of blockers protecting ball handlers in basketball.) After fouling out of the game during the first quarter of every game in the first half of the season, the Bleacher Denizen was pulled from the lineup.

Fowler wins the opening tap. Jerryd Scheurer knocks the ball away from Fowler and Charlie Thelen picks it up for St. Patrick. St. Patrick misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Fowler misses a driving layup. Aidan Riley steals the ball for the Eagles. Jonah Thelen drives the baseline and hits a layup for Fowler. Joe Epkey steals the ball for the Eagles. Jonah Thelen hits a fast break layup for Fowler. The score is Jonah Thelen 4 St. Patrick 0.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. Joe Epkey passes to Dylan Pline, who hits a threeball from the wing for Fowler. Jerry Scheurer passes to Charlie Thelen, who sinks a threeball from the top of the key for St. Patrick. Dylan Pline passes to Joe Epkey, who spins and hits a five foot hook shot to give Fowler a 9-3 lead.

Aidan Riley steals the ball for Fowler. Fowler misses a threeball from the wing. Dylan Pline steals the ball for Fowler. Fowler misses a fast break layup. Joe Epkey pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Dylan Pline steals the ball for the Eagles. Aiden Mosser hustles back and knocks the ball out of bounds to foil a Fowler fast break; the Eagles retain possession. Tyler Thelen blocks an Eagle layup. Isaac Thelen steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to boost Fowler to an 11-3 lead.

St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the corner. Fowler reciprocates and misses a three pointer from the corner. St. Patrick fouls on the rebound. Fowler misses another three pointer from the corner. Jerryd Scheuer passes to Sean Fedewa, who hits a three point shot from the side to trim the Fowler lead to 11-6.

Mason Simon steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick throws an outlet pass too far and out of bounds. Jonah Thelen passes to Dylan Pline, who hits a three point shot from the side for Fowler. Dylan Pline draws a charging foul from the Shamrocks. Mason Simon steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Jonah Thelen gets back quickly to knock the ball out of bounds and stop a St. Patrick fast break. The Shamrocks retain possession. St. Patrick misses a threeball from the wing just before the first quarter buzzer decides it is time for a break.

After one quarter, Fowler has a 14-6 lead.

St. Patrick inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. Tyler Thelen passes to Jerryd Scheurer, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key for the Shamrocks. Brady Leonard’s tight defense forces a Fowler traveling violation. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. A Fowler dribbler steps on the baseline. Tylter Thelen passes to Brady Leonard, who hits a three point shot from the corner to chop the Fowler lead down to 14-12.

Aidan Riley passes to Isaac Thelen, who hits a three point shot near the top of the key for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Isaac Thelen knocks the ball out of bounds; St. Patrick retains possession. Anthony Epkey steals a Shamrock pass in the lane. Aidan Riley passes to Anthony Epkey, who hits a layup to give Fowler a 19-12 lead.

St. Patrick misses a threeball off the dribble from the wing. Fowler misses a layup. Aidan Riley closely guards a St. Patrick player for five seconds and the Shamrocks turn the ball over. Fowler misses a ten foot jumper off the dribble from the baseline. St. Patrick misses a driving layup and fouls on the rebound. Fowler reciprocates by missing a driving layup and fouling on the rebound. St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the corner. Jonah Thelen passes to Joe Epkey, who spins and hits a layup to boost the Fowler lead to 21-12.

Aiden Mosser passes to Jerryd Scheurer, who hits a three pointer from the side for St. Patrick. Brady Leonard steals a Fowler pass near the basket. Jerryd Scheurer passes to a Shamrock teammate who is hammered hard on a layup, but misses two free throws. Fowler misses a three pointer from the corner. St. Patrick misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Shamrocks get another opportunity.

St. Patrick misses a layup. Isaac Thelen passes to Joe Epkey, who hits a layup for the Eagles. St. Patrick misses a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane. Charlie Thelen and Jerryd Scheurer team up to knock the ball out of bounds; Fowler gets the ball back. Dylan Pline passes to Jonah Thelen, who hits a three point shot from the wing just before the half time buzzer sounds.

At halftime, Fowler has a 26-15 lead.

Jerryd Scheurer leads the St. Patrick scoring with 6 points.

Isaac Thelen has 7 points to lead Fowler. Dylan Pline and Joe Epkey each have 6 points.

The Fowler third grade boys team put on a spirited show at halftime to entertain the crowd!

Fowler inbounds the ball to open quarter number three. Jerryd Scheurer knocks the inbound pass out of bounds; Fowler retains possession. Charlie Thelen knocks the Fowler inbound pass out; the Eagles get the ball back again. Fowler misses a driving eight foot shot from the baseline and fouls on the rebound. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. Tyler Thelen pulls down the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. Joe Epkey blocks a St. Patrick layup. Isaac Thelen drives the baseline and hits a layup to give Fowler a 28-15 lead.

Brady Leonard drives and dishes the ball to Tyler Thelen, who hits a layup for the Shamrocks. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Charlie Thelen passes to a Shamrock teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both his free throws. With 6:34 to play in quarter number three, Fowler has a 28-17 lead.

Fowler misses a threeball from the corner. Dylan Pline steals the ball for the Eagles. Mason Simon knocks the ball away from Fowler and Brady Leonard picks it up for St. Patrick. St. Patrick misfires on a triple try from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler takes possession. Charlie Thelen knocks the ball out of bounds; Fowler retains possession. Mason Simon gets a hand on the ball and Fowler loses it out of bounds.

Aidan Riley knocks the ball away from St. Patrick and Jonah Thelen picks it up for Fowler. Jonah Thelen hits a fast break layup for the Eagles. Jerryd Scheurer drives and hits a layup for St. Patrick. Dylan Pline shoots and hits a fifteen footer off the dribble from the side for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a layup. Charlie Thelen hits a putback to trim the Eagle lead to 32-21.

Fowler misfires on a three pointer from the corner. Jonah Thelen steals the ball for the Eagles. Dylan Pline is fouled on a six foot fast break hook shot and hits one of his two free throws. With 3:53 remaining in quarter number three, Fowler has a 33-21 lead.

Aidan Riley steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Aiden Mosser grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler gets the ball. Anthony Epkey passes to Dylan Pline, who hits a three point shot from the wing to boost the Fowler lead to 38-21.

Dylan Pline harasses a Shamrock ball handler and St. Patrick loses the ball out of bounds. Aiden Mosser steals an Eagle pass. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Tyler Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. Mason Simon is fouled on a driving six foot shot from the side and hits two free throws to shave the Fowler lead to 38-23 with 1:44 remaining in quarter number three.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Garrett Klein hits a putback for Fowler. Anthony Epkey steals the ball and draws a foul from the Shamrocks in the process. Fowler misses a layup. Anthony Epkey hits a putback for the Eagles. St. Patrick loses a pass out of bounds. Dylan Pline heaves a shot from past midcourt that hits the backboard and the inside of the rim before it bounces off just as the buzzer opts to end quarter number three.

After three quarters, Fowler holds a 42-23 lead.

St. Patrick inbounds the ball to open the fourth quarter. The Shamrocks miss a three point shot from the corner. Fowler reciprocates and misses a three point shot from the corner. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Joe Epkey pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. St. Patrick is fouled on a driving layup, but misses both free throws. With 6:40 remaining in the final period, Fowler’s lead remains at 42-23.

Tyler Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. Isaac Thelen dives and steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Brady Leonard passes to Mason Simon, who hits a three point shot from the side for St. Patrick to trim the Fowler lead to 42-26.

Fowler fouls while trying to get position as Mason Simon’s shot was in the air, so St. Patrick gets another possession. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Isaac Thelen drives from the side and hits a layup for Fowler. St. Patrick is fouled, but misses two free throws. With 5:14 left on the clock, Fowler has a 44-26 lead.

Charlie Thelen pulls down the offensive rebound from the missed free throw for St. Patrick. Mason Simon drives and hits a layup for the Shamrocks. Fowler misses a fifteen foot shot off the dribble from the wing. Anthony Epkey gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler is fouled on a layup, but misses both free throws. Isaac Thelen knocks the ball out of bounds; St. Patrick retains possession.

The Shamrocks commit an offensive foul. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Brady Leonard steals the ball for the Shamrocks. The Thelen connection comes through as Tyler passes to his brother Charlie, who hits a ten foot shot in the lane for the Shamrocks to cut the Fowler lead to 44-30.

St. Patrick’s tough defense forces Fowler to use a timeout to avoid turning the ball over by not inbounding the ball in the required five seconds. Charlie Thelen gets a hand on the ball for St. Patrick, but Fowler recovers. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Joe Epkey hits a putback for Fowler. Jerryd Scheurer hits a layup to cut the Fowler lead to 46-32.

Tyler Thelen blocks a Fowler layup, then hits a layup for St. Patrick on the other end. Mason Simon gets a hand on the ball and forces Fowler to call timeout to prevent a turnover. Aidan Riley is fouled and hits one of his two free throws for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a three point shot form the wing. Mason Simon grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. Jerryd Scheurer is fouled and hits one of his two free throws for St. Patrick. With 1:46 left on the clock, Fowler’s lead is at 47-35.

Charlie Thelen steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Jonah Thelen steals the ball for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Anthoney Epkey gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Anthony Epkey gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Anthony Epkey gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Jerryd Scheurer is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to trim the Fowler lead to 47-35 with 1:18 left in the game.

Charlie Thelen knocks an Eagle pass out of bounds; Fowler retains possession. Dylan Pline is fouled and hits one of his two free throws for Fowler. Tyler Thelen drives and hits a layup for Fowler. Jonah Thelen is fouled and hits two free throws for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Fowler runs out the last twenty or so seconds on the clock.

Fowler wins this CMAC game by the final score of 50-38.

Jerryd Scheurer led the St. Patrick scoring with 12 points. Charlie Thelen and Mason Simon each contributed 7 points. Tyler Thelen scored 6 points. Sean Fedewa and Brady Leonard each added 3 points.

Dylan Pline led Fowler’s scoring with 13 points. Isaac Thelen joined his teammate in double figures with 11 points. Jonah Thelen pitched in with 9 points. Joe Epkey added 8 points. Anthony Epkey scored 4 points. Aidan Riley put in 3 points and Garrett Klein tallied 2 points.