Southfield Christian vs. Petersburg Summerfield – – Girls Basketball – – MHSAA Division 4 Regional Semifinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 7, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

You never know where the Red River Valley will lead you. At least, that’s what I tell my listeners in this video of that classic Western song from my You Tube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYixQ0OWsd4

One place where the Red River Valley does not lead is Summerfield High School in Petersburg, MI. However, fortunately, for fans of the four teams playing in the semifinals tonight, Ida West Road does, so we can watch this game!

Fowler and Allen Park Cabrini played in the first game of tonight’s doubleheader. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2023/03/08/fowler-vs-allen-park-cabrini-girls-basketball-mhsaa-division-four-regional-tournament-the-bleacher-denizen-march-7-2023-by-chuck-krafft/

Tonight, in the second game of this Girls Basketball Regional Doubleheader, the Bulldogs from Summerfield will compete with the Eagles of Southfield Christian to determine who will get to play in Thursday’s Regional Championship game.

Summerfield’s Bulldogs enter this game with a 21-3 record. Coach Mickey Moody was generous with background information about her Bulldog players.

Destanee Smith is a fine shooter who is scoring 11.7 points per game; she also gets a lot of steals, assists and rebounds for the Monarchs. Abby Haller averages 11.2 points and also gets a lot of rebounds, steals and assists. Mia Miller averages 8.5 points and 5 rebounds a game to go along with 4 steals and 3 assists.

Mayley Mannebach hits a lot of three point shots. She is a strong ball handler who makes few mistakes; she averages only one turnover per game. She averages 7.1 points per game.

Jaeli Jones gets 7 points and 7 rebounds per game. She is also averaging 4 assists and 2 steals. Cami Taylor is an aggressive defensive specialist who plays with a lot of energy. Ava Fisher is a versatile player who can cover many positions on defense or offense. She averages 7.8 points per game and is a big threat from the three point line.

Makenzie Wolf, Grace Raymond, Chloe Gonzales, Brea Olmstead and Bethany Suydam are hard workers who were fifth quarter players during the regular season and official full time varsity players for the tournament. Their hard work in practice helps to keep the team sharp.

Southfield Christian’s Eagles enter the game with a 10-13 record. Eagle Coach Kyle Bryant was also really helpful with some information about his top players.

Rachel Cairo is a talented and versatile scorer who averages 25 points per game. She is a fine three point shooter and is also really dangerous slashing to the basket. She is a versatile defender who can handle opponents in the paint or on the perimeter. Jayda Sanford is a quick ball handler who slashes well to the basket. She is a quick and persistent perimeter defender as well. Diamond Cook is a post player who excels at rebounding and defense. She scores a lot on putbacks.

It is now time to look through the events of this game through the somewhat clear lenses of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the ancient times when he was considered to be “young.” He showed a lot of promise as a dunker in the beginning, but his hopes of stardom were dashed when the basketball powers that be moved the rim from five feet off the floor to ten feet. Oh the humanity!!!

Summerfield wins the opening tap. The Bulldogs lose a pass out of bounds. Destanee Smith knocks a Christian pass out of bounds; the Eagles retain possession. Mia Miller blocks an Eagle shot. Mayley Mannebach hits a layup to give Summerfield the first two points of the game. Christian is fouled on a ten foot shot in the lane, but misses two free throws. Jaeli Jones is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to give Summerfield a 3-0 lead with 7:02 remaining in the first quarter.

Destanee Smith knocks the ball away from Christian. There is a scrum for the ball and Summerfield comes out with it. Summerfield misses a layup. The Eagles get the offensive rebound. Destanee Smith passes the ball to Mayley Mannebach, who hits a layup to give Summerfield a 5-0 lead.

Jaeli Jones knocks the Christian inbound pass off the inbounder and out of bounds. The Bulldogs take possession. Jaeli Jones passes to Abby Haller, who hits a layup for Summerfield. The Bulldogs steal the ball and Jaeli Jones hits a layup to give the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead.

Summerfield steals the ball. Rachel Cairo steals the ball for the Eagles. Summerfield steals the ball, but misses a fast break layup. Destanee Smith hits a putback for the Bulldogs. Christian misfires on a threeball from the side. Summerfield misses a six foot shot from the baseline. Mayley Mannebach knocks an Eagle pass out of bounds; Summerfield gets the ball. Abby Haller drives and dishes the ball to Destanee Smith, who hits a layup to give Summerfield a 14-0 lead.

Jayda Sanford is fouled on a ten foot shot in the lane. She hits one of her two free throws to trim the Summerfield lead to 14-1 with 4:31 remaining in quarter number one.

Cameron Taylor passes to Mia Miller, who is fouled on a six for shot from the side and hits one of her two free throws for the Bulldogs. Christian misses a ten footer off the dribble in the lane. Summerfield misfires on a triple try from the corner. Mia Miller gets the offensive rebound for the Bulldogs. Summerfield misses a layup. Christian misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Jayda Sanford gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Christian is fouled on a jump shot and misses two free throws. With 3:25 to play in the first quarter, Summerfield has a 15-1 lead.

Diamond Cook gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Christian misses a layup. Destanee Smith passes to Mayley Mannebach, who hits a layup for Summerfield. Cameron Taylor steals the ball for the Bulldogs. Destanee Smith passes to Ava Fisher, who hits a layup for Summerfield. Cameron Taylor harasses Christian into turning the ball over. Julie Webber blocks a Summerfield layup. The Bulldogs recover the loose ball. Jaeli Jones hits a three point shot from the side to give Summerfield a 22-1 lead.

Christian drives the baseline, but misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Diamond Cook knocks the ball away from Summerfield and Julie Webber picks it up for Christian. Destanee Smith steals the ball for Summerfield. The Bulldogs miss a three pointer from the wing. Christian misses a threeball from the side. Summerfield reciprocates and misses a threeball from the side. Destanee Smith gets the offensive rebound, drives and hits a layup for the Bulldogs to give her team a 24-1 lead.

Christian is whistled for a traveling violation. Summerfield misses a three pointer from the top of the key as the first quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

Christian has the ball to open the quarter number two. Bethany Suydam knocks the ball away from the Eagles, but Christian recovers. Jayda Sanford drives the baseline and hits a layup for Christian. Mia Miller passes to Ava Fisher, who throws in a threeball for the Bulldogs. Diamond Cook is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for Christian. With 7:07 to play in the second quarter, the Summerfield lead is at 27-4.

Jaeli Jones drives the baseline and is fouled on a layup. She hits one of her two free throws for Summerfield. Jaeli Jones blocks a Christian layup. Destanee Smith passes to Ava Fisher, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Summerfield. Destanee Smith knocks a pass out of bounds; Christian retains possession. Mia Miller steals the ball for Summerfield.

Summerfield misses a fast break layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Bulldogs get another opportunity. Summerfield misses a threeball from the wing. Destanee Smith ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow consults its management team and decides to award the ball to Summerfield. The Bulldogs miss a three pointer from the side. Destanee Smith is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to give Summerfield a 32-4 lead with 5:49 remaining in the first half.

Jayda Summerfield passes to Myah Carr, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for the Eagles. Abby Haller passes to Cameron Taylor, who hits a two point shot from the side for Summerfield. Christian misses a driving layup. Summerfield is whistled for a traveling violation. Christian misses a ten footer off the dribble in the lane. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Bulldogs take possession. Jayda Sanford steals a Summerfield pass. Christian misses a fast break layup. Abby Haller passes to Mia Miller, who hits a layup to give Summerfield a 36-5 lead.

Jayda Sanford hits a layup for Christian. Summerfield misses a three point shot from the side. Christian misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Cameron Taylor blocks a Christian layup. Summerfield misses a layup, but gets the offensive rebound. Summerfield misses a three point shot from the side. Rachel Cairo is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws. With 2:28 to go in the half, Summerfield’s lead is at 36-8.

Summerfield misses a three point shot from the wing. Christian misses a fast break layup. Summerfield misses a threeball from the side. Jaeli Jones gets the offensive rebound for the Bulldogs. Summerfield misses a threeball from the corner. A Christian dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Summerfield misfires on a threeball from the corner. Jaeli Jones gets the offensive rebound for the Bulldogs.

Rachel Cairo steals the ball for the Eagles. Ava Fisher steals the ball for the Bulldogs. Destanee Smith passes to Grace Raymond, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for Summerfield. Ava Fisher dives and steals the ball for the Bulldogs. Summerfield loses the ball out of bounds on a fast break. Christian misses a layup. Rachel Cairo is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for Christian. With 18.2 seconds remaining in the first half, Summerfield has a 38-9 lead.

Mia Miller is fouled and makes both ends of a one and one free throw opportunity for Summerfield. Cameron Taylor steals the ball and is fouled on a fast break layup. Cameron Taylor hits two free throws for the Bulldogs. Ava Fisher gets her hand on a Christian pass; the Eagles lose the ball out of bounds. Rachel Cairo blocks a Summerfield threeball from the side. The ball goes out of bounds and the Bulldogs get it back. Summerfield puts up a threeball from the side at the buzzer, but Rachel Cairo blocks that one, too.

Summerfield takes a 42-9 lead into the locker room at halftime. I believe that if traditional basketball protocols are followed, Summerfield will also have a 42-9 lead at the beginning of the third quarter.

Jayda Sanford has 5 points to lead the Southfield Christian scoring at halftime.

Ava Fisher has 8 points for Summerfield. Jaeli Jones and Destanee Smith each have 7 points. Mayley Mannebach has 6 points and Mia Miller has 5 points.

Since there is no halftime entertainment, maybe we can listen to this original religious tune from my You Tube Channel as we wait for the second half to begin!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYixQ0OWsd4

Christian inbounds the ball to get the third quarter underway. The Eagles miss a three point shot from the side. Destanee Smith drives and hits a layup for Summerfield. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. Abby Haller steals the ball for the Bulldogs. Summerfield misses a fast break layup. Christian misses a threeball from the corner and fouls on the rebound. Summerfield misses a three pointer from the wing. Christian reciprocates and misses a three pointer from the wing. Jaeli Jones hits a fast break layup to give Summerfield a 46-9 lead.

Jaeli Jones steals the ball for the Bulldogs. Summerfield misses a three point shot from the wing. Jaeli Jones chases down the long offensive rebound for the Bulldogs. Rachel Cairo steals the ball for the Eagles. Abby Haller steals the ball for the Bulldogs. Makenzie Wolf passes to Jaeli Jones, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give the Bulldogs a 49-9 lead.

Christian misses an eighteen foot shot from the side. Makenzie Wolf passes to Abby Haller, who hits a layup for the Bulldogs. Makenzie Wolf steals the ball for the Bulldogs. Sophia Paryaski steals the ball for the Eagles. Christian loses the ball out of bounds. Summerfield misses a driving layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Christian takes possession. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Diamond Cook pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles.

Christian misses a layup, but gets the offensive rebound. Christian misses a layup. Summerfield misfires on a triple try from the side. Cameron Taylor steals the ball for Summerfield. Ava Fisher saves an errant pass to prevent a Bulldog turnover. Rachel Cairo steals the ball for Christian and hits a fast break layup. Summerfield misses a sixteen foot shot from the side. Christian travels with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting. Somehow, I doubt that traveling without the ball would be all that newsworthy.)

Summerfield returns the favor and travels (with the ball, of course.) Christian misses a three point shot from the wing. Summerfield misses a fast break layup. Mia Miller gets the offensive rebound for the Bulldogs. Mia Miller hits a three point shot from the side for Summerfield. The third quarter buzzer goes off before Christian can shoot.

With three quarters in the books, Summerfield has a 54-11 lead.

Summerfield inbounds the ball to open the fourth quarter. Abby Haller throws in a threeball from the wing for the Bulldogs. Abby Haller steals the ball for the Bulldogs. Rachel Cairo steals the ball for the Eagles and hits a fast break layup. Rachel Cairo steals the ball for Christian. Abby Haller and Brea Olmstead get back really quickly to force Christian to miss a fast break layup.

Jayda Sanford steals the ball for Christian. Makenzie Wolf blocks a Christian layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Christian gets another opportunity. Diamond Cook from Christian and Makenzie Wolf from Summerfield dive to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow polls its management committee and awards the ball to Christian. Christian misses a driving layup. Jaeli Jones goes coast to coast for a fast break layup that gives Summerfield a 59-13 lead.

Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Destiny Allison gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Christian misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Rachel Cairo gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Christian misses a layup. Rachel Cairo hits a putback for the EAgles. Summerfield misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Jaeli Jones hits a layup that boost the Summerfield advantage to 61-15.

Christian misses a three point shot from the corner. Summerfield reciprocates and misses a three point shot from the corner. The Bulldogs get the offensive rebound, but miss a jump shot. Christian misses a six foot shot in the lane. Julie Webber steals the ball for Christian. Marissa Eastman steals the ball for Summerfield. The Bulldogs miss a fast break layup. Grace Raymond hits a putback to give Summerfield a 63-15 lead.

Chloe Gonzales knocks the ball out of bounds; Summerfield takes possession. Rachel Cairo steals the ball for Christian. The Eagles miss a fast break layup. Rachel Cairo hits a putback for the Eagles, is fouled and makes her free throw. With 1:52 left on the clock, the Summerfield lead is at 63-18.

Myah Carr draws a charging foul from Summerfield. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Diamond Cook gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Christian misfires on a threeball from the side. Brea Olmstead passes to Grace Raymond for a Summerfield layup that gives the Bulldogs a 65-18 lead.

Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Jayda Sanford gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Diamond Cook pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles as the final buzzer sounds.

Petersburg Summerfield wins this regional final by a 65-18 score and will face Fowler in Thursday’s Regional Final!

Rachel Cairo led the Southfield Christian scoring with 11 points. Jayda Sanford contributed 5 points. Myah Carr and Diamond Cook each tallied 1 point.

Jaeli Jones led the Petersburg Summerfield scoring with 16 points. Destanee Smith contributed 9 points. Ava Fisher, Mia Miller and Abby Haller each pitched in with 8 points. Mayley Mannebach and Grace Raymond each added 6 points. Cameron Taylor scored 4 points.