Freeland at Frankenmuth – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 13, 2026 – – by Chuck Krafft

Superstition tells us that Friday the 13th can be unlucky, but for at least one team tonight, that won’t be the case as the Frankenmuth Eagles are hosting the Freeland Falcons in a game between the two top boys’ basketball teams in the Red Division of the Tri-Valley Conference.

Frankenmuth is undefeated this year and have a 10-0 record in the Tri-Valley Red as well as an 18-0 overall record. Freeland is also having an excellent season as they are 8-2 in the Tri-Valley Red and 16-3 overall. If Frankenmuth wins this game, they will win the conference title.

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this video of “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHucLvxuQx8

I have seen Frankenmuth play a couple times this year. Eagle Coach Andy Donovan provided this information about his players.

Cash Tedford is a great athlete who was all-State in football. He is an excellent perimeter defender and three point shooter. Landon Jacobs is a versatile point guard who is a good perimeter defender and tall enough to help defend inside. He is a good ball handler and passer who is also a threat from the three point line. Caden Sommerfield is a three year varsity player who generates a lot of turnovers with his perimeter defense.

Lleyton Hoard was the football quarterback for the Eagles last fall. He is a tall player who is a tough defender in the post and rebounds well. He is also a great team leader who provides a lot of composure in tight moments. Matthew Schoenow is a junior playing his second year of varsity basketball. He brings a lot of hustle to the Eagle defense. He is a strong rebounder who blocks a lot of shots. K.J. Helms is a point guard who passes well. He can shoot the three point shot and is also able to slash to the basket.

Drew Davis is a strong rebounder and defender in the post who gets his share of putback baskets. Brady Mort is an excellent three point shooter. Jonah Zehnder defends the perimeter well. He can also hit the three point shot or slash to the basket to score. Brock Rowden is a physical player who defends the post well.

Ethan Hubbard knows where to be on offense and defense. He keeps the offense moving and defends the perimeter well. Brayden Karwat is a versatile defender who can help in the post or on the perimeter. Grant Womack is an energetic defender in the post. Sean McGovern is injured and out for the season.

Coach John Fattal from Freeland gave me this information about his Falcon players. The team has eleven seniors who were juniors on last year’s strong Falcon team.

Wilson Huckaby is a great shooter who will be playing college basketball next year. He is a thousand point career scorer who can hit the three point shot, slash to the basket and play strong perimeter defense. Tristan Comer is a great athlete who is big enough to be a football all-State lineman. He defends the post and rebounds well, but he also has many ball handling and shooting skills that are as good as those of most guards. He scores mostly inside, but can hit the perimeter shot as well.

Cooper Wagner is an athletic perimeter defender who runs the point for the Falcons. He is a great passer who excels at slashing to and scoring at the rim. Tucker Hileman is a tough perimeter defender who is a threat to score either from the three point line or on slashes to the basket. Connor Lasceski is a steady ball handler and passer who defends the perimeter well.

Zander Wheatley is an athletic post defender who also excels at football. Ross Farrell has a great three point shot and defends the perimeter. Max Heyn is blessed with great speed which he uses to get fast break baskets. He is also a strong perimeter defender.

I got to Frankenmuth’s gym in time to watch the Girls’ game. Frankenmuth had a one game lead on Freeland before the game. The Eagles got off to a hot start and led 10-0 before Freeland scored a couple three point baskets to pull within 10-6. Freeland only scored 2 points the rest of the way in the first quarter while Frankenmuth added on 14 points and led 24-8 after one quarter.

Frankenmuth outscored Freeland 14-11 in the second quarter and had a 38-19 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, the Eagles outscored the Falcons 20-7 and led 58-26 going into the final quarter. Freeland scored 14 points in the final quarter, but Frankenmuth’s lead was too large and the Eagles won 63-40 to clinch at least a tie for first place in the Tri-Valley Red.

Freshman Braelyn Rytlewski led the Freeland scoring with 16 points. Joz Begick supported her teammate with 15 points. Claire Bertuleit scored 5 points. Emma DeShone added 3 points and Katie Niderquell tallied 1 point.

Macy Donovan had 15 points to lead the Frankenmuth girls. Grace Brenner pitched in with 12 points and Nyla Sholten added 11 points, all in the second half to join her teammates in double figures. Alyson Peterson scored 8 points and Lucy Conzelmann contributed 7 points. Addie Bickel totaled 3 points and Chloe Comstock had 2 points.

It is now time to review the events of this basketball game through the somewhat alert eyes of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in the days of yore! He developed a lot of nice dunk moves, but never understood that they don’t mean much unless you are able to get the ball over the rim and slam it through. As the team was not able to provide scaffolding so he could do this, his effectiveness was severely limited as was his playing time.

Freeland wins the opening tap. The Falcons miss a ten foot shot banked shot off the dribble from the side. The rebound is tied up by Tristan Comer. The Possession Arrow is upset that it is not working an NBA game and misses the play; the ball is awarded to Frankenmuth. Lleyton Hoard passes to Landon Jacobs, who hits a twelve foot shot from the baseline to give Frankenmuth a 2-0 lead.

Matthew Schoenow steals the ball for Frankenmuth. The Eagles miss a driving layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Freeland gets the ball. The Falcons misfire on a threeball from the corner. Tristan Comer is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws to shave the Frankenmuth lead to 2-1 with 6:16 remaining in the opening quarter.

Frankenmuth misses a driving layup. Matthew Schoenow gets his hand on a Freeland pass and knocks it out of bounds. The Falcons retain possession. Tristan Comer passes to Cooper Wagner, who hits a layup to give Freeland a one point lead. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Freeland gets the ball. The Falcons misfire on a triple try from the corner. Frankenmuth misses a layup. Matthew Schoenow hits a putback to give Frankenmuth a 4-3 lead.

Connor Lasceski passes to Tristan Comer, who hits a layup to give the lead back to Freeland. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Freeland misses a threeball from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Falcons get another opportunity. Freeland misses a three pointer from the wing. Frankenmuth bounces a pass out of bounds. Landon Jacobs steals a Freeland bounce pass in the lane. Drew Davis passes to Lleyton Hoard, who hits a layup to give his Eagles a 6-5 lead.

Freeland misses a three pointer from the side and fouls on the rebound. Frankenmuth misses a driving 6 foot banked shot. Wilson Huckeby throws in a threeball from the wing for Freeland. Frankenmuth is not able to shoot before the first quarter buzzer decides to end the period.

After one quarter, Freeland has an 8-6 lead.

Freeland inbounds the ball to start the second quarter. The Falcons miss a driving reverse layup. Tristan Comer hits a putback for the Falcons. He is fouled on the play and sinks his free throw. Wilson Huckaby steals a Frankenmuth pass and hits a layup to give Freeland a 13-6 lead.

Caden Sommerfield passes to Landon Jacobs, who hits a threeball from the top of the key for Frankenmuth. Drew Davis blocks a Freeland layup; the loose ball goes out of bounds and the Falcons get another opportunity. Freeland misses a threeball from the side. Cooper Wagner grabs the offensive rebound for the Falcons. Cooper Wagner passes to Tristan Comer, who hits a layup to boost Freeland to a 15-9 lead.

Frankenmuth misfires on a three pointer from the side. Freeland misses a threeball from the corner. Frankenmuth fouls on the rebound. Freeland misses a sixteen foot shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Landon Jacobss passes to Cash Tedford, who takes a hard dribble and hits a three pointer from the side for Frankenmuth to cut the Freeland lead to 15-12.

Zander Wheatly alertly saves a pass to prevent a Freeland turnover. Freeland misses a layup. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the side. Freeland misses a fourteen foot shot off the dribble in the lane. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Freeland gets the ball. Lleyton Hoard knocks a Freeland pass out of bounds; the Falcons retain possession. Tristan Comer is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to give Freeland a 17-12 lead with 3:46 remaining in the first half.

Frankenmuth misfires on a triple try from the corner and fouls on the rebound. Caden Sommerfield taps the ball away from Freeland and Drew Davis picks it up for Frankenmuth. Caden Sommerfield passes to Landon Jacobs, who hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Tristan Comer hits a layup for Freeland to give the Falcons a 19-14 lead.

Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Freeland throws its outlet pass out of bounds. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the wing. Drew Davis gets the offensive rebound and passes to Lleyton Hoard, who hits a three point shot from the wing to trim the Falcon lead to 19-17.

Cash Tedford knocks the ball away from Freeland and Caden Sommerfield picks it up for Frankenmuth. The Eagles misfire on a threeball from the side. Landon Jacobs steals the Freeland outlet pass. Caden Sommerfield drives and hits a layup for Frankenmuth to tie the game. Landon Jacobs steals the ball for Frankenmuth and draws a Freeland foul in the porcess. Max Heyn steals the ball for Freeland. Zander Wheatly dunks the ball for Freeland, but it is after the halftime buzzer sounds.

The game is tied 19-19 at halftime.

Tristan Comer has 12 points for Freeland and Wilson Huckaby has 5 points.

Landon Jacobs has 7 points for Frankenmuth at halftime and Lleyton Hoard has 5 points.

As the readers are not able to hear what is going on at halftime, I hope you will enjoy these videos from my You Tube Channel!

As I saw in the opening to this video, “You never know where the Red River Valley might lead you! I hope you will enjoy this fun arrangement through a few different ways to look at the song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03AhhNk1M8

Here is “Sixteen Tons” a 1950s hit for Tennessee Ernie Ford with a bit of humor added! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io-UGfn4M10

Frankenmuth inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Wilson Huckaby steals the ball for the Falcons. Freeland misses a threeball from the top of the key. Caden Sommerfield passes to Lleyton Hoard, who is cutting to the basket and hits a layup to give the Eagles the lead. Wilson Huckaby passes to Tucker Hileman, who fakes a shot, drives and hits a layup for Freeland to tie the game at 21-21.

Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Caden Sommerfield grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Landon Jacobs passes to Cash Tedford, who throws in a threeball from the wing to give Frankenmuth a 24-21 lead.

Freeland misfires on a threeball from the corner. Frankenmuth misses a long, long three pointer past the top of the key. Freeland is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Frankenmuth misses a three pointer from the wing and fouls on the rebound. Lleyton Hoard knocks the ball away from Freeland and Cash Tedford picks it up for Frankenmuth. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Freeland is whistled for carrying the ball. Frankenmuth inbounds the ball to Caden Sommerfield, who hits a layup to give the Eagles a 26-21 lead.

Frankenmuth prevents Freeland from getting the ball over midcourt in ten seconds and the Falcons turn the ball over. Cooper Wagner ties up the Frankenmuth inbound pass. The Possession Arrow decides to give the ball to Freeland. Freeland misses a three point attempt. Tristan Comer grabs the offensive rebound for the Falcons. Freeland misses a layup. Tristan Comer grabs the offensive rebound for Freeland. The Falcons miss a layup. Freeland gets the offensive rebound and Wilson Huckaby hits a three pointer from the wing to cut Frankenmuth’s lead to 26-24.

Landon Jacobs passes to Drew Davis, who drives, hits a layup and is fouled. He hits his free throw to give his Eagles a five point lead. Freeland misses a three point shot from the side. Frankenmuth misses a ten foot shot from the side. Landon Jacobs tips the ball in for Frankenmuth. Freeland misses a layup. Caden Sommerfield passes to Drew Davis, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Frankenmuth a 34-24 lead.

Freeland misses a layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Falcons get another opportunity. Connor Lasceski passes to Tristan Comer, who spins and is fouled on a layup. Tristan Comer hits two free throws to trim the Frankenmuth lead to 34-26 with 1:37 remaining in quarter number three.

Freeland prevents Frankenmuth from inbounding the ball in five seconds and the Eagles turn the ball over. Cooper Wagner passes to Tristan Comer, who hits a jump shot from the free throw line for Freeland. Wilson Huckaby steals the ball for the Falcons. Freeland misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Cooper Wagner is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws to cut the Frankenmuth lead to 34-29 with 1:12 left in quarter number three.

Frankenmuth misses a layup. Connor Lasceski is fouled on the rebound and hits two free throws for the Falcons. Drew Davis spins and hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Tucker Hileman hits a three point shot from the wing for Freeland. Lleyton Hoard hits a layup for Frankenmuth to give his Eagles a four point lead. Freeland misses a three pointer from the wing as the buzzer signals that it is time to end quarter number three.

With three quarters in the book, Frankenmuth has a 38-34 lead.

Frankenmuth inbounds the ball to open the fourth quarter. Cooper Wagner blocks a Frankenmuth threeball from the corner. The Eagles get the loose ball, but then throw a pass out of bounds. Caden Sommerfield dives and knocks the ball away from Freeland; K.J. Helms knocks the ball out of bounds. The Falcons retain possession. Cooper Wagner passes to Wilson Huckaby, who throws in a long threeball from the wing to cut the Frankenmuth lead to 38-37.

Drew Davis passes to Lleyton Hoard, who hits a layup for Frankenmuth. K.J. Helms knocks the ball out of bounds; Freeland retains possession. Connor Lasceski hits a three point shot from the corner for Freeland to tie the game at 40-40.

Wilson Huckaby steals a Frankenmuth pass in the lane. Caden Sommerfield steals the ball and draws a foul from Freeland as he does it. Frankenmuth misses a ten footer from the side of the lane. Cash Tedford gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Frankenmuth misfires on a threeball from the side. Freeland misses a layup. Tristan Comer hits a putback to give Freeland a 42-40 lead.

Tucker Hileman knocks the ball away from Frankenmuth, but the Eagles recover. Caden Sommerfield passes to Cash Tedford, who throws in a threeball from the corner to give Frankenmuth a one point lead. Caden Sommerfield knocks the ball out of bounds; Freeland gets the ball back. Cooper Wagner drives and dishes the ball to Tristan Comer, who is fouled on a layup. One of Frankenmuth’s starters fouled out on the play. Tristan Comer hits one of his two free throws to tie the game at 43-43 with 3:17 left on the clock.

Tristan Comer steals a Frankenmuth pass. Lleyton Hoard steals a Freeland pass. Cash Tedford hits a fast break layup to give Frankenmuth a two point lead. Cooper Wagner is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Freeland to tie the game at 45-45 with 2:45 remaining.

Zander Wheatly steals the ball for the Falcons. Caden Sommerfield gets his hand on a Freeland pass and Lleyton Hoard intercepts the ball for Frankenmuth. The Eagles miss a three point shot from the side. Wilson Huckeby is fouled on a three point shot from the wing and swishes one, two, three free throws to give his Falcons a 48-45 lead.

Zander Wheatly knocks a Frankenmuth pass out of bounds; the Eagles get the ball back. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Wilson Huckeby is fouled and swishes two more free throws to give Freeland a 50-45 lead with 42.7 seconds to go.

Caden Sommerfield passes to Cash Tedford, who throws in a threeball from the side for Frankenmuth to bring the Freeland lead down to two points. Wilson Huckeby is fouled and hits two free throws to give Freeland a 52-48 lead with 22.7 seconds to play. (In a shocking moment, one of these two free throws actually grazed the rim instead swishing. Mr. Huckeby is an accurate shooter for sure!!)

Wilson Huckeby gets his hand on the ball, but Frankenmuth recovers. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Connor Lasceski is fouled on the rebound and hits two free throws for Freeland with just 4.6 seconds remaining. Frankenmuth misses a thirty foot shot past the top of the key as the buzzer ends the game.

Freeland wins this game 54-48 to pull within one game of Frankenmuth in the Tri-Valley Red standings.

Cash Tedford led the Frankenmuth scoring with 14 points. Lleyton Hoard joined his teammate in double figures with 11 points. Landon Jacobs contributed 9 points and Drew Davis scored 8 points. Caden Sommerfield added 4 points and Matthew Schoenow put in 2 points.

Tristan Comer had 19 points to lead the Freeland scoring. Wilson Huckeby contributed 18 points including seven clutch free throws late in the final quarter (although one of the seven grazed the rim instead of being a perfect swish). Connor Lasceski chipped in with 7 points. Tucker Hileman and Cooper Wagner each added 5 points.