Goodrich at Frankenmuth – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – December 21, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight is the second part of a Martian invasion of Frankenmuth. Tuesday, the Martian girls invaded Frankenmuth’s gym and came out with a win. Your Bleacher Denizen was there to blog the game!

https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2023/12/19/__trashed-3/

(Please ignore the “trashed” word in the link above. I mishandled my website and accidentally deleted something; thus, after I restored it, the website marks it that way. It will not harm your computer.)
Hopefully this nice mellow Christmas song from my You Tube Channel will calm any nerves I just rattled with the above paragraph!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gwCTPg861g

The Frankenmuth Eagles enter this game with a 3-2 record. The Goodrich Martians are at 4-2. Their losses are to two strong Division 1 teams and they also have a win over perennial power Flint Beecher.

I have done a few Goodrich girls’ games over the years, but this is the first time I have ever written up a boys’ game. Thus, it was also the first time I have ever met long-time Goodrich Coach Gary Barns. He was really friendly and professional as he gave me background about some of his top players.

Parker LePla is a 6’8″ post player who is an excellent scorer, defender and rebounder in the lane. During the game I also noted that he is fluid and coordinated when he plays on the perimeter as well. His brother Jenson LePla is an excellent offensive player who scores in the post or with a smooth three point stroke. He also is a pretty solid ball handler and passer for a 6’4″ freshman. Landon Williams defends and rebounds well in the post. Luke Francis is an athletic perimeter defender.

Frankenmuth Coach Andy Donovan provided me with this information about his Eagle players. Thomas Conzelmann is 6’6″ and while he can help in the post as a scorer, rebounder and defender, he also has fine perimeter skills. He is a good three point shooter and ball handler and moves well enough to defend outside as well. Carson Knoll has an excellent basketball IQ. He is a strong ball handler and defender on the perimeter. He has a solid three point shot and also attacks the basket well.

Riley Hubbard is a versatile defender who is aggressive and effective either in the post or on the perimeter. He is also a good ball handler and passer. Jonah Sholten is a classic glue player who sets screens, defends well in the post or on the perimeter, keeps the moving and generally does the unsung things that all good teams need. Jared Watchorn has an accurate three point shot.

I was able to see the last two minutes of the freshman game and all of the JV game.

The Eagle freshmen won a tight one 39-37. Tristan Huizar hit two important free throws with about fifteen seconds left to give Frankenmuth a four point lead; this was crucial because Goodrich scored a layup with about 2 seconds left, but it only brought the Martians to within two points.

Frankenmuth got off to an 18-12 lead after one quarter in the JV game. They were able to extend the lead to 28-17 at halftime. Goodrich scored the first four points of the second half to get within seven points, but never got closer than that as Frankenmuth earned a 47-38 win.

Miles Washington led the Goodrich JVs with 13 points. Drew Aagesen joined his teammate in double figures with 10 points. Bryce Woods scored 8 points. Tyler Davis added 3 points. Dominic Melaragni and Landon King each tallied 2 points.

Caden Sommerfield led the Frankenmuth JVs with 16 points. Brady Lipka supported his teammate with 8 points. Lleyton Hoard and Landon Jacobs each pitched in with 7 points. K.J. Helms and Brady Mort each supplied 4 points. Jacob Felten put in 1 point.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the semi-open 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 when he was considered to be “young.” The Bleacher Denizen actually showed a lot of potential as a dunker in the beginning, but, alas, it all fell apart when the Basketball Powers that Be decreed that the rims shall be raised from five feet to ten feet. Sadly, my career as a dunker never recovered.

Goodrich wins the opening tap and Landon Williams quickly hits a fast break layup to give the Martians the first two points of the game. Frankenmuth misfires on a threeball from the corner. Thomas Conzelmann blocks a Martian layup. Frankenmuth spins into the lane, but misses an eight foot shot off the dribble. Goodrich misfires on a threeball from the corner. Frankenmuth reciprocates and misfires on a threeball from the corner.

Jared Watchorn hustles after the rebound and almost secures it for the Eagles, but the ball goes out of bounds and the Martians take possession. Jonah Sholten knocks a Goodrich pass into the lane out; the Martians retain possession. Goodrich misses an eight footer off the dribble in the land. Parker LePla steals the ball and hits a layup for Goodrich. Frankenmuth is fouled on a shot in the lane, but misses two free throws. With 6:11 to play in the first quarter, Goodrich has a 4-0 lead.

Thomas Conzelmann steals a Goodrich pass. Frankenmuth misfires on a triple try from the corner. Goodrich reciprocates and misfires on a triple try from the corner. Frankenmuth throws a pass out of bounds. The LePla Connection comes through for Goodrich as Parker passes to Jenson, who sinks a threeball from the corner to give the Martians a 7-0 lead.

Frankenmuth travels with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting. I somehow doubt that traveling without the ball is terribly newsworthy.) Jenson LePla ignores the Bleacher Denizen’s semantic musings and passes to Parker LePla, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to boost Goodrich to an 8-0 lead with 3:38 to go in the quarter.

Jakoby Lagat grabs the offensive rebound from the missed free throw for the Martians. Jenson LePla throws in a threeball from the top of the key for Goodrich. Frankenmuth misses a twelve footer from the side. Goodrich misses a layup. Carson Knoll is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws to give Frankenmuth its first point. With 2:47 remaining in the quarter, Goodrich has an 11-1 lead.

Jonah Sholten knocks the ball away from Goodrich and Carson Knoll picks it up for Frankenmuth. Frankenmuth misses a ten foot shot from the side. Jenson LePla passes to Parker LePla, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to give Goodrich a 12-1 lead with 2:28 to go in the quarter.

Thomas Conzelmann passes to Aiden Labissoniere, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key for Frankenmuth. Landon Williams passes to Jenson LePla, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key for Goodrich. Thomas Conzelmann drives and hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Riley Hubbard steals the ball for the Eagles. Frankenmuth misses a fast break layup. Jenson LePla passes to Parker LePla, who hits a layup to give Goodrich a 17-6 lead.

Aiden Labissoniere passes to Carson Knoll, who is fouled on a ten foot shot from the side. With just 12.8 seconds left in the first quarter, he hits one of his two free throws. Goodrich misses a driving layup. Parker LePla grabs the offensive rebound for the Martians. Goodrich misses a layup just before the buzzer blares.

After one quarter, Goodrich holds a 17-7 lead.

Frankenmuth inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. The Eagles miss a threeball from the corner. Carson Knoll grabs the long offensive rebound for the Eagles and hits a three point shot from the corner. Ethan Edwards blocks a Goodrich shot in the lane. Chase Burnett grabs the loose ball and hits a layup to give Goodrich a 19-10 lead.

Parker LePla steals an Eagle pass. Aiden Labissoniere nearly steals the ball for Frankenmuth, but Goodrich is able to recover. Parker LePla is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to give his Martians a 21-10 lead with 6:25 to play in the first half.

Frankenmuth misses a three point attempt from the corner. Goodrich reciprocates and misses a three point attempt from the corner. Luke Francis grabs the offensive rebound for the Martians. Jenson LePla is fouled on a shot and hits two free throws for Goodrich. With 5:53 remaining in the second quarter, Goodrich has a 23-10 lead.

Frankenmuth misses a long three point shot from the side. Goodrich throws its inbound pass out of bounds. Carson Knoll passes to Jared Watchorn, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key for Frankenmuth. The LePla connection converts once again as Jenson passes to Parker, who hits a layup for Goodrich. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Jared Watchorn gets the offensive rebound for Frankenmuth. The LePla brothers team up to steal the ball for Goodrich. Jenson LePla passes to Chase Burnett, who hits a layup to give Goodrich a 27-13 lead.

Frankenmuth misses a fast break layup. Jonah Sholten knocks the offensive rebound to Carson Knoll, but the Eagles shortly lose the ball out of bounds. Parker LePla passes to Jenson LePla, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Goodrich a 30-13 lead.

Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Carson Knoll knocks a Martian pass out of bounds; Goodrich retains possession. Carson Knoll’s fierce defense results in Goodrich losing the ball out of bounds. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Jared Watchorn steals the ball for Frankenmuth. Riley Hubbard passes to Thomas Conzelmann, who hits a layup for the Eagles to trim the Martian lead to 30-15.

Carson Knoll knocks a Goodrich pass out of bounds; the Martians get the ball back. Goodrich misses a three point shot from the side. Jenson LePla hits a putback for Goodrich. Ethan McNiel drives and hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Riley Hubbard knocks a Martian pass out of bounds; Goodrich retains possession. Gavin Valley passes to Chase Burnett, who hits a layup to give the Martians a 34-17 lead.

Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Ethan Edwards draws a charging foul from the Martians. Carson Knoll drives and hits a layup for Frankenmuth at the buzzer.

At halftime, Goodrich has a 34-19 lead.

Jenson LePla has 16 points for Goodrich and Parker LePla has 10 points. Chase Burnett has 6 points.

Carson Knoll has 7 points for Frankenmuth and Thomas Conzelmann has 4.

Goodrich inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. The Martians miss a layup. Jenson LePla steals a Frankenmuth pass. Landon Williams is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws for Goodrich. Carson Knoll drives and hits a reverse layup for Frankenmuth. Carson Knoll steals a Goodrich pass. Frankenmuth spins into the lane and misses a six foot shot.

Thomas Conzelmann dives and steals the ball for the Eagles. He calls time out to preserve the Eagle possession. Jonah Sholten drives and dishes the ball to Thomas Conzelmann, who hits a three point shot from the wing to trim the Goodrich lead to 35-24.

Riley Hubbard plays tough defense and causes Goodrich to throw the ball out of bounds. The LePla Connection bedevils the Eagles again as Parker steals the ball and passes to Jenson for a Martian fast break layup. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Goodrich misses a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the side. Ethan Edwards secures the long offensive rebound for the Eagles. Frankenmuth misses a driving banked shot. Ethan Edwards is fouled on a putback and sinks two free throws to trim the Goodrich lead to 37-26 with 4:00 left in the quarter.

Goodrich misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Thomas Conzelmann drives the baseline and hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Goodrich misses a layup. Parker LePla is fouled on a putback and hits one of his two free throws to give Goodrich a 38-28 lead with 2:50 to go in quarter number three.

Frankenmuth misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Hagan Wascher gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Thomas Conzelmann is fouled on a driving layup and makes one of his two free throws for Frankenmuth. Goodrich commits an offensive foul. Hagan Wascher passes to Aiden Labissoniere, who hits a three point shot from the corner to cut the Martian lead to 38-32.

Goodrich misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Parker LePla tracks down the long offensive rebound for the Martians. Goodrich commits a traveling violation. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the wing. Goodrich misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Aiden Labissoniere passes to Hagan Wascher, who hits a three point shot from the side for Frankenmuth. Goodrich misses a rushed fifteen foot shot from the side as the third quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After three quarter, Frankenmuth has cut the Goodrich lead to 38-35. Frankenmuth has outscored Goodrich 16-4 in the third quarter to pull within three points.

Frankenmuth inbounds the ball to open the fourth quarter. Parker LePla knocks the ball away from Frankenmuth and Jenson LePla ties it up for Goodrich. The Possession Arrow and its Legal Committee vote and decide to give the ball to Goodrich. Landon Williams passes to Parker LePla, who hits a layup for Goodrich. Parker LePla sends a Frankenmuth layup to the Great Airball in the Sky. Luke Francis tosses a high pass to Parker LePla, who makes fantastic catch (think leaping NFL wide receiver) and hits a six foot hook shot as he is fouled. He misses his free throw. With 6:30 remaining in the contest, Goodrich has a 42-35 lead.

Landon Williams gets the offensive rebound from the missed free throw for Goodrich. Goodrich misfires on a threeball from the side. Thomas Conzelmann drives the baseline and hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Goodrich loses a pass out of bounds. Thomas Conzelmann drives and hits a layup for Frankenmuth. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 5:04 left on the clock, Goodrich holds a 42-39 lead.

Jenson LePla hits a fast break layup for Goodrich. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Chase Burnett passes to Parker LePla, who hits a layup for Goodrich. Frankenmuth misses a running eight foot banked shot. Goodrich loses the ball out of bounds. Parker LePla sends another Frankenmuth layup to the Great Airball in the Sky. Chase Burnett picks up the loose ball and goes coast to coast to hit a layup that boosts Goodrich to a 48-39 lead.

Hagan Wascher throws in a threeball from the top of the key for Frankenmuth. Goodrich misses a layup. Parker LePla hits a putback for the Martians. Frankenmuth misses a three point attempt from the side. Aiden Labissoniere throws the rebound off a Goodrich player and it goes out of bounds. Frankenmuth takes possession. Aiden Labissoniere drives and dishes the ball to Riley Hubbard, who hits a layup to trim the Goodrich lead to 50-44.

The LePla Connection comeas through again as Jenson passes to Parker for a Martian layup. Frankenmuth misses a layup. Riley Hubbard steals a Goodrich fast break outlet pass. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Carson Knoll grabs the offensive rebound for the Egles. Frankenmuth misses a driving layup. Goodrich misses a fast break layup. Parker LePla hits a putback to give Goodrich a 54-44 lead.

Frankenmuth misses a three pointer from the corner. Goodrich runs thirty-five seconds off the clock. (Frankenmuth would have to foul at least four times to make Goodrich shoot free throws; it is probably too late for that.) Frankenmuth commits a foul. Frankenmuth’s defense refuses to let Goodrich inbound the ball within the required five seconds, so the Eagles get the ball. Parker LePla knocks the ball to Landon Williams. Goodrich runs out the last few seconds on the clock.

Goodrich wins this game 54-44.

Thomas Conzelmann led the Eagle scoring with 14 points. Carson Knoll contributed 9 points. Aiden Lbissoniere and Hagan Wascher each had two three made three pointers and scored 6 points. Ethan McNiel scored 4 points. Jared Watchorn added 3 points. Riley Hubbard put in 2 points.

The LePla Connection led the Goodrich attack with 43 combined points; Parker had 23 and Jenson had 20. Chase Burnett scored 8 points and Landon Williams contributed 3 points.