Laingsburg vs. Ecorse – – Boys Basketball – – MHSAA Division 3 Quarterfinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 21, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen’s journey takes him to Ypsilanti Lincoln High School, where the Wolfpack from Laingsburg will play the Raiders from Ecorse to see who will play in Thursday’s State Semifinal game at the Breslin Center. (Someday, I need to find out what I need to do so I can call my drives to blog events an “odyssey.” That would be so much cooler if I can ever figure it out!!)

As we wait for this game to begin, maybe we can listen to this Boogie Woogie tune featuring trumpeter extraordinaire John Rickert from my You Tube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1MxOus8t44

Laingsburg’s Wolfpack enters this game with an undefeated 25-0 record. Zander Woodruff is a complete and athletic all-around guard who has one of the smoothest three point strokes I have seen this year. He is also great driving to the basket and a big part of the tough Laingsburg defense. His brother, Eli Woodruff is athletic enough to defend well either in the post or on the perimeter. He is a fine rebounder who scores a lot on putbacks. He also can shoot well in the mid-range or from the three point line.

Brayden Thomas is a classic point guard who runs the offense well and is a persistent perimeter defender. He handles the ball and passes well. He is a solid shooter from the three point line and also a threat to drive to the basket. Jacob Essenberg has the skills to play either the point guard or shooting guard position. He is a good ball handler and perimeter defender who also brings an accurate three point shot to the Wolfpack. He gets a lot of steals and fast break layups as well.

Ty Randall is a tough, versatile, athletic defender who is able to cover opponents on the perimeter or in the lane. He seems to draw at least one charging foul from the opposition every game. He is a rugged rebounder as well. On offense, he has a solid midrange shot and is a threat from the three point line. He also gets his share of putbacks. Luke Snyder is a tough post player who has great footwork and scores well inside.

Cam Ballard is a tough defender and fine ball handler with a great basketball IQ. He is a threat from the three point line as well when he is open. Jackson Audretsch played a big role in the second half of Laingsburg’s Regional Final win with his rugged interior defense and rebounding. Connor Hulliberger is an athletic defender who presence at the top of the Wolfpack 1-3-1 zone made a big difference in Laingsburg’s quarterfinal win over Michigan Center. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2023/03/16/laingsburg-vs-michigan-center-boys-basketball-division-3-regional-final-the-bleacher-denizen-march-15-2023-by-chuck-krafft/

The Ecorse Raiders enter this game with a 19-4 record.

Ecorse is led by 2000 point scorer Malik Olafioye who averages over 30 points and 12 rebounds, which is a lot of boards for a guard! He scores from the three point line, on mid-range shots and drives to the basket. K.J. Morrast is another high scoring guard for Ecorse but he will miss the game (and the rest of the season) with a broken hand.

Dennell Kemp is an excellent three point shooter who defends well on the perimeter. Darrien Reddick is excellent at penetrating to the hoop and dishes the ball off to open teammates for layups. Deonatae Jude and Tahjay Rose are strong post rebounders and defenders who can also score in the lane. Thanks to Coach Gerrod Abram for generously giving me his time before the game to provide this information!!

The official scorekeeper and the clock operator (who is also announcing for the game) performed the National Anthem as a duet and were wonderful. At halftime, I will learn that their names are Lori Day and Geof Bush, a married couple who do this before all the Ypsilanti Lincoln’s games. (Ypsilanti Lincoln is the host school.) Great Job!!!!

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 play basketball in the ancient days when people actually considered him to be “young.” Many people criticized the Bleacher Denizen’s outside shooting, but few people could sling the boulders we used in the basketball stone age very far with any accuracy.

There is a bit of a delay as they need to replace one of the nets between the National Anthem and the opening tip off. We finally get to start the game. Ecorse wins the opening tap.

Ecorse misfires on a triple try from the wing. Tahjay Rose pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders and passes to Darrien Reddick, who hits a three pointer from the wing to give Ecorse the first three points of the game. Laingsburg misses a layup. Malik Olafioye passes to Dennell Kemp, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Ecorse a 6-0 lead.

Darrien Reddick gets his hand on the ball and Brayden Thomas goes into the backcourt to retrieve the ball for Laingsburg. The Wolfpack is assessed with a traveling violation. Dennell Kemp drives and dishes the ball to Tahjay Rose, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the wing. Malik Olafioye goes coast to coast for a layup that gives Ecorse a 10-0 lead.

The Woodruff connection makes its presence known as Eli passes to Zander, who hits a jumper from the free throw line to give Laingsburg its first two points of the game. Ecorse is assessed with an offensive foul. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the corner. Ty Randall grabs the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a layup. Zander Woodruff steals a Raider pass. Darrien Reddick steals the ball back for Ecorse. Malik Olafioye hits a fast break layup to give Ecorse a 12-2 lead.

Brayden Thomas passes to Zander Woodruff, who is fouled on a threeball from the wing and hits two of his free throws to trim the Ecorse lead to 12-4 with 4:26 to play in the first quarter.

Ecorse misses a three point shot from the corner. Malik Olafioye gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Ecorse misses a layup. Tahjay Rose plays tough defense in the lane and forces a Laingsburg traveling violation. Zander Woodruff knocks an Ecorse pass out of bounds; the Raiders retain possession. Malik Olafioye passes to Darrien Reddick, who hits a three pointer from the wing and Ecorse has a 15-4 lead.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Ecorse gets the ball. Malik Olafioye passes to Deonatae Jude, who is fouled on a layup and makes two free throws to give Ecorse a 17-4 lead with 2:47 remaining in the first quarter.

Laingsburg misses a threeball from the top of the key. Ty Randall gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a triple try from the wing. Zander Woodruff steals the Ecorse inbound pass. Laingsburg loses a pass out of bounds. Ecorse misses a three point shot from the side. Tahjay Rose gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Ecorse is fouled on a layup, but misses both its free throws. With 2:03 left in the first quarter, the Ecorse lead remains at 17-4.

Laingsburg misses a fifteen foot shot off the dribble from the side. Darrien Reddick drives and dishes the ball to Tahjay Rose, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Laingsburg misses a three pointer from the wing. Ecorse commits an offensive foul. Cam Ballard passes to Eli Woodruff, who makes a three point shot at the buzzer for Laingsburg.

After one quarter, Ecorse has a 19-7 lead.

Laingsburg has the ball to start the second quarter. The Wolfpack misses a driving layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Ecorse gets the ball. Darrien Reddick passes to Dennell Kemp, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Ecorse. Laingsburg fumbles a pass out of bounds. Ecorse misses a three point shot from the side; the rebound goes out of bounds and Laingsburg gets the ball. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the corner. Darrien Reddick passes to Dennell Kemp, who hits a threeball from the corner to push the Ecorse lead to 25-7.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the side. Ecorse misses three point shot from the corner. Tahjay Rose gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Ecorse misses a three point shot from the wing. Dennell Kemp hits a putback for the Raiders. Laingsburg misses a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the baseline. Malik Olafioye passes to Steph Curry – – oops, I mean Dennell Kemp – – (natural mistake as this man is on FIRE!) – – who hits a three point shot from the corner to extend the Ecorse lead to 30-7.

Laingsburg misfires on a three point shot from the side. Ecorse misses a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the baseline. Zander Woodruff drives and hits a layup for the Wolfpack. Ecorse commits an over and back violation. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the corner. Malik Olafioye passes to Darrien Reddick, who hits a three point shot from the side to push Ecorse to a 33-9 lead.

Laingsburg misses a triple try from the side. Jacob Essenberg gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Eli Woodruff hits a twelve foot jump shot from the side. He is fouled on the play and makes his free throw to trim the Ecorse lead to 33-12 with 3:03 left in the first half.

Jacob Essenberg and Eli Woodruff put on a double team that forces Ecorse to throw a pass out of bounds. Roddick Campbell knocks the ball away from Laingsburg and Darrien Reddick picks it up for Ecorse. Ecorse misses a layup. Malik Olafioye gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Ty Randall ties the ball up for the Wolfpack. The Possession Arrow and its steering committee miss the play and steer the ball to Ecorse. Eli Woodruff’s tough defense forces Ecorse to lose the ball out of bounds. Zander Woodruff drives and dishes the ball to Eli Woodruff for a layup that shaves the Ecorse lead to 33-14.

Ty Randall draws a charging foul from the Raiders. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and Ecorse takes possession. Zander Woodruff steals the Raider inbound pass and hits a layup for Laingsburg. Malik Olafioye drives and hits a layup for Ecorse. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw with 4.2 seconds remaining. Laingsburg misses a threeball from the wing. Ty Randall gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a layup at the buzzer.

At halftime, Ecorse has a 35-16 lead.

Eli Woodruff and Zander Woodruff each have 8 points for Laingsburg at halftime.

Dennell Kemp has been on fire from the three point line and leads Ecorse with 14 points. Darrien Reddick has 9 points and Malik Olafioye has 6 points for Ecorse.

As we wait for the second half to begin, I hope you will enjoy this original tune from my You Tube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol3R-ZL9568

Laingsburg inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Jacob Essenberg drives and hits a layup to give the Wolfpack its first two points not scored by a Woodruff brother. Ecorse misses a three point shot from the wing. Dennell Kemp gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. An Ecorse dribbler slips and is called for traveling. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. Ecorse misses a fast break layup.

Laingsburg throws an outlet pass too far and out of bounds. Ty Randall blocks an Ecorse shot; Malik Olafioye recovers the ball for the Raiders. Malik Olafioye passes to Dennell Kemp, who hits a two point shot from the corner for Ecorse. Darrien Reddick steals the ball for the Raiders. Ecorse misses a driving layup. Brayden Thomas passes to Eli Woodruff, who hits a fifteen foot shot off the dribble from the side to trim the Ecorse lead to 37-20.

Ecorse misses a threeball from the wing. Tahjay Rose pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Ecorse misses a layup, but Laingsburg fouls on the rebound. Ecorse misses a driving layup. Darrien Reddick gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Ty Randall knocks the ball away from Ecorse and Brayden Thomas picks it up for Laingsburg. Laingsburg throws a pass out of bounds. Ecorse drives the baseline, but misses a layup. Brayden Thomas passes to Zander Woodruff, who hits a ten foot shot in the lane to cut the Ecorse lead to 37-22.

Malik Olafioye passes to Dennell Kemp, who throws in a threeball from the corner for Ecorse. Brayden Thomas passes to Jacob Essenberg, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Laingsburg. Ecorse is called for a double dribble violation. Ty Randall passes to Jacob Essenberg, who his cutting to the basket and hits a layup for the Wolfpack. Zander Woodruff steals an Ecorse pass into the lane. Eli Woodruff passes to Zander Woodruff, who hits a three point shot from the wing to cut the Ecorse lead to 40-30.

Malik Olafioye hits a lean back jumper off the dribble from the free throw line for Ecorse. Zander Woodruff drives from the top of the key and hits a layup for the Wolfpack. Darrien Reddick drives in the lane and scoops home a layup for Ecorse for the final play of quarter number three.

With three quarters in the books, Ecorse holds a 44-32 lead.

Ecorse has the ball to begin the fourth quarter. The Raiders travel on a drive. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Eli Woodruff knocks the ball away from Ecorse and Jackson Audretsch picks it up for Laingsburg. Laingsburg misfires on a triple try from the corner. Cam Ballard grabs the offensive rebound for Laingsburg. Dennell Kemp blocks a Laingsburg threeball from the wing. There is a scrum for the loose ball before a Laingsburg player grabs it and calls timeout to preserve the Wolfpack possession.

Tahjay Rose’s tough defense forces Laingsburg to throw a pass out of bounds. Malik Olafioye drives and hits a twelve foot banked shot from the side for the Raiders. Eli Woodruff responds by making a threeball from the corner for the Wolfpack. Darrien Reddick drives and dishes the ball to Deonatae Jude, who hits a layup to give Ecorse a 48-35 lead.

Laingsburg misses a driving layup. Jackson Audretsch pulls down the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a jumper from the free throw line. Ecorse misses a driving layup. Laingsburg misses a ten foot shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Laingsburg retains possession. Malik Olafioye steals the ball for Ecorse. Jacob Essenberg blocks an Ecorse fast break layup. Jacob Essenberg passes to Eli Woodruff, who is fouled on a six foot shot from the baseline and hits two free throws to trim the Ecorse lead to 48-37 with 4:55 remaining in the game.

(He actually hit two of three free throws; an Ecorse lane violation gave him a repeat of the second free throw.)

Malik Olafioye passes to Deonatae Jude, who hits a layup for Ecorse. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound is tied up. After consulting with its decorating committee, the Possession Arrow decides to award the ball to Laingsburg. Laingsburg misfires on a triple try from the side. Ecorse misses a layup.

Laingsburg misses a threeball from the side. Ty Randall gets the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a driving layup. Ty Randall gets his hand on the rebound; it goes out of bounds and Laingsburg earns another possession. Eli Woodruff passes to Jacob Essenberg, who hits a three point shot from the corner to cut the Ecorse lead to 50-40.

Ecorse runs some time off the clock. Eli Woodruff knocks the ball out of bounds; the Raiders retain possession. Ecorse misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Darrien Reddick gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Dennell Kemp hits a ten foot jumper off the dribble from the baseline to give Ecorse a 52-40 lead.

Laingsburg misfires on a threeball from the side. Ecorse fouls on the rebound. Dennell Kemp blocks a Laingsburg threeball from the corner. Laingsburg gets the ball back and misses a three pointer from the corner. Zander Woodruff pulls down the offensive rebound for the Wolfpack. Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the wing. Ecorse fouls on the rebound. Laingsburg misses a three pointer from the side. Ty Randall dives and ties up the rebound. With 58.4 seconds to go, the Possession Arrow gives the ball to Ecorse.

Darrien Reddick is fouled and hits both shots in a one and one free throw opportunity to extend the Raider lead to 54-40 with 56.8 seconds to play.

Darrien Reddick dives and nearly steals the ball for Ecorse. Eli Woodruff hits a three point shot from the side for Laingsburg. Dennell Kemp is fouled and hits both shots in a one and one situation to give Ecorse a 56-43 lead with 45.8 seconds left on the clock.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the side. Ecorse if fouled, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Zander Woodruff passes to Jacob Essenberg, who hits a three point shot for Laingsburg. Darrien Reddick is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give Ecorse a 57-46 lead with 19.1 seconds to play in the game.

Laingsburg misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Ecorse gets the ball. Ecorse dribbles out the last few seconds of the game.

Ecorse wins this game 57-46 and will play Flint Beecher in Thursday’s quarterfinal game.

Eli Woodruff scored 18 points to lead the Laingsburg scoring. Zander Woodruff added 15 points and Jacob Essenberg contributed 13 points.

Dennell Kemp had 23 points to lead the Ecorse scoring. Derrien Reddick chipped in with 14 points. Malik Olafioye joined his teammates in double figures with 10 points. I’d like to add that Malik Olafioye did an excellent job of not trying to force shots to try to get to his average when his teammates were hitting their shots so well. Deonatae Jude scored 6 points and Tahjay Rose had 4 big points in the first quarter when Ecorse was opening its big lead.