Bath at Portland – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – December 11, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen’s travels take him to Portland. (It would be so cool if someday I could earn the necessary gravitas to refer to my travels as an odyssey. I will need to check with the powers that be that apply names to journeys to see what I need to do to qualify.)

The Portland Raiders will be hosting the Bath Bees. Portland has a 2-1 record while Bath is looking for its first win.

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this original song from my You Tube Channel!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTdeYRUEOkc

I arrived during the first quarter of the JV game. Bath outscored Portland 10-9 during the first quarter. The teams each scored ten points in the second quarter, so Bath had a 20-19 halftime lead. Portland outscored Bath 14-11 in the third quarter to take a 33-31 lead and took command in the fourth quarter as they won by a final score of 44-36.

Aiden Wolf led the Bee JVs with 8 points. Connor VanEss supported his teammate with 7 points. Aden Briggs added 6 points. Brady Smith put in 5 points. Andy Wonch and Max DeLeon each scored 4 points. Jorin Arnold tallied 2 points.

Owen Moore led the victorious Raider JVs with 12 points. Brady Rowe contributed 8 points. Nolan Zbytowski chipped in with 7 points. Caleb Densmore added 6 points. Ethan Cassel put in 5 points. Ashton Telshow and Liam Wolf each had 3 points.

Bath Varsity Coach Nick Duflo gave me the following information about his players. Jay Kreisler runs the point where he is a fine ball handler and perimeter defender. Bradlee Uhlmann is a strong perimeter defender who can also run the point. Remington McCrimmon is a scorer who can slash to the basket or hit the three point shot.

Cole Chamberlain is an active perimeter defender who can hit the three point shot. He is also an exceptional rebounder for a guard. Ethan Wicks is a solid perimeter defender and three point shooter. Jacob Kuhn is the man in the post for the Bees. He is a rugged post defender and rebounder who can also score well near the basket.

Portland Coach Luke Pohl provided this information about his players. Unfortunately, Dom Novara, last years’ leading scorer, is injured and will not play today.

Christopher Battley is a battler near the basket. He is a rugged rebounder and defender who knows how to score inside. He is a junior who has been in the starting lineup since he was a freshman. Evan Gross is another junior in his third year on the varsity. He is an excellent three point shooter and a solid on ball defender. This year, he is also handling the ball more.

Carter White is a sophomore who is a strong defender either on the perimeter or in the post. Makyah Mora is a hard working senior who has earned a spot in the starting lineup. Sophomore Kayden Dickerson is a post defender with a great motor. He also is a threat to score from the three point line.

It is now time to review the events of this contest through the occasionally watchful eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the days of yore. He showed some promise as a dunker, but then the basketball powers that be raised the rim from five feet to ten feet and the promise went unfulfilled!

Bath wins the opening tap. The Bees miss a fifteen foot shot from the side. Colten Hinsman pulls down the offensive rebound for the Bees. Carter White steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland loses a pass out of bounds. Makyah Mora steals the ball for the Raiders and passes to Evan Gross, who throws in a threeball from the side to give Portland a 3-0 lead.

Carter White knocks the Bee inbound pass out of bounds; Bath retains possession. Bradlee Uhlmann brishes and dishes the ball to Colten Hinsman, who throws in a three ball from the wing for Bath to tie the game. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Christopher Battley gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point attempt from the wing. Bath misses a fast break layup.

Portland misses a triple try from the wing. Christopher Battley snares the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland travels with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting. I’m not sure how newsworthy traveling without the ball is – – – ) Evan Gross steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses an eight foot shot in the lane. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Bees get the ball. Carter White knocks a Bee pass out of bounds, but Bath retains possession.

Christopher Battley knocks the ball away from Bath, but Colten Hinsman recovers the ball for the Bees. Evan Gross steals the ball for the Raiders. Christopher Battley hits a fast break layup to give Portland a 5-3 lead.

Bath misfires on a threeball from the side. Jacob Kuhn gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. A Bath pass hits the back of the backboard and is out of bounds. Portland takes possession. Isaiah DeLaCruz and Cole Chamberlain apply a fierce doubleteam and force a Raider traveling violation. Cole Chamberlain drives and hits a layup for Bath to tie the game. Christopher Battley is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to give Portland a 6-5 lead with 3:01 remaining in the first quarter.

Tej Virk steals the ball for the Raiders and passes to Kayden Dickerson, who hits a fast break layup. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. Evan Gross plays tough defense and forces a Bath dribbler to lose the ball out of bounds. Levi Nobis passes to Evan Gross, who hits a three point shot to give Portland an 11-5 lead.

Bath misfires on a triple try near the top of the key. Portland turns the ball over. Bath misses a sixteen foot shot from the side. Bath gets the offensive rebound, but misses a layup. Portland misses a three point shot from the side. Bath misses a layup. Levi Nobis passes to Tej Virk, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key to boost the Raiders to a 14-5 lead.

Bath misses a threeball from the wing. Jacob Kuhn knocks the ball away from Portland and Cole Chamberlain picks it up for the Bees. Bath misses a jump shot. Carter White hits a fast break layup for Portland. Christopher Battley steals the ball and beats the buzzer with a fast break layup for Portland.

After one quarter, Portland has an 18-5 lead.

Portland inbounds the ball to start out the second quarter. Kayden Dickerson passes to Evan Gross, who hits a three point shot from the side for the Raiders. Bath misses a three point shot from the side. Portland misses a layup. Makyah Mora hits a putback for the Raiders. Evan Gross steals the ball for Portland. The Raiders miss a three pointer from the top of the key. Kayden Dickerson is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to boost the Raiders to a 25-4 lead with 6:04 to play in the second quarter.

Carter White draws a charging foul from the Bees. Portland misses a ten foot shot from the baseline. Carter White gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders and passes to Kayden Dickerson, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Bath misses a driving layup. Jacob Kuhn gets the offensive rebound for the Bees.

Carter White steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a twelve foot shot in the lane. Bath watches as a threeball from the wing goes in and out of the basket. Portland misses a layup. Sam Wonch passes to Bryce Proctor, who hits a three point shot for Bath to trim the Portland lead to 27-8.

Portland misses a three point attempt from the wing. Christopher Battley grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland commits an over and back violation. Another Bath three point shot goes in and out of the basket. Tej Virk steals the ball for the Raiders. Cole Chamberlain steals the ball for the Bees. Bath misses a farst break layup. Kayden Dickerson passes to Christopher Battley, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to give Portland a 28-8 lead with 2:43 left on the first half clock.

Bath turns the ball over. Christopher Battley passes to Evan Gross, who hits a three point shot near the top of the key for Portland. Evan Gross steals a Bath pass. Portland misses a threeball from the wing. Christopher Battley pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Bath misses a fast break layup. Evan Gross drives the ball and dishes to Christopher Battley, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give Portland a 34-8 lead.

Portland steals the ball and holds the ball for the last shot of the half. Bradlee Uhlmann’s ptressure causes Portland to pass the ball out of bounds. Bath throws a pass out of bounds. Portland misses a forty foot heave at the buzzer.

At halftime, Portland has a 34-8 lead.

Colten Hinsman and Bryce Proctor each have 3 points for Portland.

Evan Gross has 12 points to lead Portland. Christopher Battley has 9 points and Kayden Dickerson has 6 points.

While we wait for the second half to begin, I hope you will enjoy these original tunes from my You Tube Channel!

“Grandpa Did It” provides us with “the rest of the story” in regard to Grandma and her unfortunate encounter with the reindeer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp3FW5dhL3E

“Won’t Be Alone Too Long” is a story of someone who quickly comes back from a devastating breakup and features Lansing Legend Frog, who totally rocks (literally) on the guitar!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1_qnhfMT2k

Bath inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. The Bees misfire on a three pointer from the wing. Portland misses a three pointer from the side. Christopher Battley hits a putback for the Raiders. Bath misses a three point shot from the corner. Sam Wonch’s hustle cuases Portland to lose the rebound out of bounds and the Bees get another opportunity. Bath misses a driving layup. Jacob Kuhn pulls down the offensive rebound for the Bees.

Bath misses a three point shot from the corner. Portland drives and dishes the ball to a mystery player who happens to be out of bounds. Christopher Battley blocks a Bath layup. Portland misses a layup. Christopher Battley grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a threeball from the wing. Bath misses a threeball from the corner. Carter White drives and dishes the ball to Kayden Dickerson, who hits a layup for Portland and is fouled; he misses his free throw. With 5:00 to play in the third quarter, the Raider lead is at 38-8.

Bath misses a three point shot from the wing. Carter White passes to Evan Gross, who hits a three point shot from the side for Portland. Tej Virk knocks the ball out of bounds; Bath retains possession. Kayden Dickerson knocks the ball out of bounds; the Bees get the ball back. Bath misses a three point shot from the side. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. They briefly get the offensive rebound, but Isaaiah DeLaCruz steals the ball for Bath. Portland steals the ball and Evan Gross hits a three point shot from the side to give Portland a 44-8 lead.

Bath misses a layup. Levi Nobis passes to Keaton McGregor, who hits a layup for Portland. Jacob Kuhn hits a jumper from the free throw line for Bath. Portland drives the baseline and is fouled on a six foot runner. The Raiders miss both free throws. With 2:05 left on the third quarter clock, Portland has a 46-10 lead.

Levi Nobis hits a fast break layup for Portland. Ethan Wicks is fouled and hits two free throws for Bath. Portland misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Nathan Reed is fouled on the rebound and hits two free throws for Bath. With 1:26 remaining in the quarter, the Portland lead is at 48-14.

Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Tej Virk gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Jacob Farley hits a twelve foot shot from the side for the Raiders. Bath misses a three pointer from the side. Portland misses a ten foot jump shot. Carter White pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Bath misses a fast break layup. Tej Virk passes to Jacob Farley, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give Portland a 53-14 lead.

Bath misses a layup. Nathan Reed gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. Bath misses a layup as the third quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After three quarters, Portland has a 53-14 lead.

Portland has the ball to open the fourth quarter. The Raiders miss a three pointer from the side. Levi Nobis steals the ball for the Raiders. Nathan Reed gets his hand on the ball and Portland loses it out of bounds. Keaton McGregor steals the ball for Portland. Portland misses a three point attempt from the corner. Levi Nobis gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner.

Bath misses a layup. Nathan Reed gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. Bath misses a layup. Mitchell Hammond gets the offensive rebound for the Bees. Bath is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 7:00 remaining in the game, Portland’s lead is at 53-14.

Isaiah DeLaCruz steals the ball for Bath. Bath misses a three point shot from the wing. Anthony Wasson gets a tough offensive rebound and hits a putback for Bath. Portland misses a three pointer from the wing. Owen Moore hits a putback to give Portland a 55-16 lead.

Bath misses a three point shot rom the wing. Nathan Reed gets another offensive rebound for the Bees. Bath commits an offensive foul. Portland misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Carter White hits a putback to give Portland a 57-16 lead.

Jacob Farley steals the ball for Portland. Portland misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Bath misses a fast break layup. Portland misses a seventeen footer from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Raiders get another opportunity. Levi Nobis inbounds the ball to Carter White, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to push his Raiders to a 59-16 lead with 3:30 remaining in the game.

Jacob Farley steals the ball for the Raiders. Tej Virk passes to Owen Moore, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Portland. Bath misses a three point shot from the wing. Portland misses a fast break layup. Makyah Mora gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Bath reciprocates and misses a three point shot from the wing.

Portland misses a three pointer from the corner. Bath misses an eight foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. Portland fouls on the rebound, so Bath gets the ball back. Colten Hinsman passes to Bryce Proctor, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Bath. Portland runs the final few seconds off the clock.

Portland wins this non-conference game by the score of 62-19.

Bryce Proctor led Bath with 6 points. Colten Hinsman scored 3 points. Cole Chamberlain, Ethan Wicks, Anthony Wasson, Jacob Kuhn and Nathan Reed each added 2 points.

Evan Gross had six made three point shots and led Portland with 18 points. Christopher Battley joined his teammate in double figures with 11 points. Kayden Dickerson contributed 8 points. Carter White tossed in 6 points. Owen Moore and Jacob Farley each scored 5 points. Tej Virk threw in 3 points. Makyah Mora, Keaton McGregor and Levi Nobis each tallied 2 points.