Charlotte at Portland – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 16, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft

It’s frigid week in Lansing as our temperatures have been hanging around the zero degree mark for a few days. Your Bleacher Denizen is wondering whether they players tonight will be wearing traditional basketball uniforms or whether they will have parkas designed in the team colors. Your Bleacher Denizen conquered his instinctive fear of walruses and polar bears and went into Portland’s gym.

When I got to the frozen tundra otherwise known as the Portland High School Parking Lot, I was spared the trauma of running into a walrus or polar bear as they apparently had gone out for dinner as I arrived around 5:45 PM. However, I did run into two very confident looking deer! Mercifully, after they spotted my car, they were not interested in human predation and simply went about their white-tailed business!

While we wait for the game to start, why don’t we warm up with this early Blues tune written by the Delmore Brothers from my You Tube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TtsKUnqw7g

The Orioles from Charlotte enter this game with a 2-6 record while Portland’s Raiders are at 8-1 with only a loss to last year’s State Champion, Lansing Catholic, the only blemish on their record.

I just saw the Raider players last week when they played Lansing Catholic. Raider Coach Jason Haid provided me with this background information about his players.

Malia Thelen is, to put it simply, a complete guard. She is a tough perimeter defender as well as an excellent ball handler and passer. She also is a fine scorer; she is adept at slashing to the basket or shooting from the three point line. Lilly Thelen, Malia’s sister gives the Raiders another determined and athletic perimeter defender. She runs the floor well and is also a versatile scorer who can hit the three point shot or slash to the basket.

Alexa Weber is a physical scorer and defender in the post; she is also a fine rebounder and has the range to hit three point shots. Ella Gruber is a fine perimeter defender and outside shooter; she can also attack the rim. Paige Spedoske is versatile and can defend on the perimeter or in the post. On offense, she has solid post moves to score and can also shoot the three pointer.

Bella Spitzley provides energy to the Raider defense; she also runs the floor well and is a good finisher on the fast break. Kayla Weber is an athletic post player who defends, rebounds and scores well in the post. Ana Babcock is a good shooter and rebounder who brings energy and raw hustle to the Raiders.

Summer Stopczynski has a fine all-around game; she is a physical defender and not shy about contact on offense. She can score inside or outside. Allyson Logel is also comfortable defending on the perimeter or in the post. She is a good rebounder as well as a solid outside shooter. Erica Russman brings energy, strong defense and good rebounding to the Raiders. Bella Heath is an unselfish player who can shoot the threeball and rebounds aggressively.

Charlotte Coach Erin Gutierrez-Harbor gave me some background information about her Oriole players.

Jaelyn Baker is an impressive all-around point guard who is a persistent perimeter defender, passes well, slashes to the basket to score and can hit the three point shot. Peyton Howarth is a strong three point shooter. Avery Silvas is a tough perimeter defender who also has great energy and runs the fast break well.

Lyndi Miller can defend on the perimeter or in the post. She is able to score in the lane or hit three point shots. Baylee Moore has a high motor and is always hustling. She runs the fast break well. Lyla Crisculol defends in the post; on offense, she is a versatile scorer who can hit the three point or midrange shot and is also a threat slashing to the basket. Emma Carns is a tough, gritty player who is a strong rebounder and can score in the post. Kayle Pugh scores well in the post.

In the first game of the evening, Portland’s freshman girls played the East Lansing freshman girls. Portland’s freshmen were in control for the whole game and won 41-20.

Sophia Morese led the East Lansing Freshmen with 7 points. Lily Shumaker scored 6 points. Sophia Lampi added 3 points. Elyse Hicks and Peyton Ruttman each tallied 2 points.

Izzy Honsowitz and MaKayla Krizov each had 8 points to lead the Portland freshmen. Paige Weber contributed 6 points. Marisa Weber chipped in with 5 points. Madison Daggett, Amber Vetter and Madelyn Collins each put in 4 points. Amari Adler scored 2 points.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the aging eyes of a hopefully observant Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league in the medieval days when he was considered to be young. While he was developing an accurate three point shot, everything was ruined when the Basketball Powers That Be insisted that he no longer use a catapult to launch his three point shot.

Charlotte wins the opening tap. The Orioles misfire on a triple try from the side. Portland misses a driving layup. Charlotte misses a three point shot from the side. Portland misses a fast break layup. Alexa Weber pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Charlotte misses a six footer off the dribble in the lane. The Bleacher Denizen misses seeing the ball go through the basket.

Baylee Moore ignores the Bleacher Denizen’s concerns about scoring and pulls down the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a layup. Portland misses a threeball from the corner. Alexa Weber is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to give Portland the first two points of the game with 6:32 remaining in the first quarter.

Charlotte misses a three pointer from the side. Portland misses a three pointer from the wing. Alexa Webber hits a putback to make the score Alexa Weber 4 Charlotte 0.

Paige Spedoske steals the ball for the Raiders. Lyndi Miller blocks a Portland layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and the Raiders get it back. The Thelen connection comes through as Lilly passes the ball to Malia, who hits a layup for Portland. Jaelyn Baker is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws for Charlotte. With 5:22 to play in the opening quarter, Portland has a 6-1 lead.

Malia Thelen drives and hits a layup for Portland. Jaelyn Baker passes to Peyton Howarth, who swishes a threeball from the side for Charlotte. Portland drives the baseline, but misses a layup. Lilly Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a jump shot. Kayla Weber hits a putback for Portland. She is fouled on the play and sinks her free throw to give her Raiders an 11-4 lead with 4:35 left in the first quarter.

Lilly Thelen steals the ball for Portland and hits a fast break layup. Malia Thelen steals an Oriole pass. Malia Thelen passes to Summer Stopczynski, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Portland. Jaelyn Baker passes to Peyton Howarth, who hits a threeball from the wing for Charlotte. Portland loses the ball out of bounds. Summer Stopczynski knocks a pass out of bounds; Charlotte retains possession. Jaelyn Baker passes to Peyton Howarth, who sinks another threeball from the side for Charlotte to chop the Portland lead to 16-10.

Summer Stopczynski drives and hits a layup for Portland. Charlotte misfires on a threeball from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Portland takes possession. Portland throws a pass out of bounds. Jaelyn Baker drives and hits an eight foot shot from the side of the lane for Charlotte. Baylee Moore knocks a Raider pass out of bounds; Portland gets the ball back. Lilly Thelen passes to Malia Thelen, who is fouled on a threeball from the wing. Malia Thelen hits one of her three free throws to give Portland a 19-12 lead with 1:17 remaining in the opening quarter.

Alexa Weber knocks an Oriole pass out of bounds to prevent a layup. Charlotte retains possession. The Orioes miss an eight foot shot from the side. Malia Thelen drives and hits a layup for Portland. Malia Thelen steals the ball and passes to Ella Gruber, who hits a fast break layup for Portland. Charlotte misses a six foot banked shot. Portland misses a fast break layup. Alexa Weber ties up a Charlotte layup. The Possession Arrow is impressed by her hustle; it and its Communications Department decide to award the ball to Portland. Malia Thelen drives and hits a layup for the Raiders as the first quarter buzzer blares.

After one quarter, Portland has a 25-12 lead.

Charlotte inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. The Orioles misfire on a threeball from the side. Jaelyn Baker grabs the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Charlotte misses a layup. Portland misses a layup. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow contacts its Committee of the Whole and decides to award the entire ball to Charlotte. The Orioles misfire on a threeball from the wing. Portland misses a fast break layup. Bella Spitzley knocks the ball away from the Orioles and the Raiders pick it up.

Portland misses a layup. Charlotte misses a fast break layup. Jaelyn Baker is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to trim the Raider lead to 25-14 with 6:10 remaining in the first half.

Avery Silvas knocks the ball out of bounds; Portland retains possession. Portland misses a three pointer from the corner. Summer Stopczynski grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Raiders get another opportunity. Lyla Criscuolo steals the ball for the Orioles. Charlotte is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses two free throws. Portland misses a layup, but the Raiders get the offensive rebound. Summer Stopczynski hits a three point shot from the wing to give Portland a 28-14 lead.

Jaelyn Baker passes to Lyndi Miller, who hits a three point shot from the side for Charlotte. Portland misses a threeball from the wing and fouls ont he rebound. Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. Lilly Thelen hits a putback for Portland; she is fouled, but misses her free throw. With 4:00 remaining in the opening half, Portland has a 30-17 lead.

Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Avery Silvas hustles back on defense and knocks a pass out of bounds to prevent a Raider layup. Portland gets the ball back. Malia Thelen hits a three point shot from the corner for Portland. Jaelyn Baker is fouled and hits two free throws for Charlotte to trim the Portland lead to 33-19 with 3:25 to play in the quarter.

Portland misfires on a triple try from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Raiders get another opportunity. Portland misses a layup. Charlotte misses a layup. Avery Silvas gets back on defense quickly to foil a Raider fast break. Portland misses a three point shot from the side. Malia Thelen blocks an Oriole triple try from the side. Malia Thelen hits a fast break layup for Portland; she is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 2:20 to play in the half, Portland has a 35-19 lead.

Summer Stopczynski gets the offensive rebound from the missed free throw. Portland misses a layup. Summer Stopczynski gets another offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Malia Thelen knocks the ball away from Charlotte and Bella Spitzley picks it up for Portland. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Charlotte is fouled, but misses two free throws. Malia Thelen passes to Erica Russman, who hits a layup to give Portland a 37-19 lead.

Paige Spedoske steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a three point attempt from the wing. Charlotte misses a fast break layup. Portland is fouled, but misses two free throws. Bella Spitzley gets the offensive rebound from the missed free throw. Malia Thelen is fouled and makes two free throws to boost Portland to a 39-19 lead with 50.3 seconds left on the second quarter clock.

Charlotte misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Malia Thelen drives, leans and scoops in a layup for the Raiders. Charlotte misses a three point shot from the side. Ella Gruber drives and hits a layup at the buzzer for Portland.

The Raiders take a 43-19 lead into the locker room at halftime. Most people accept that Portland will probably also have a 43-19 lead when the third quarter opens.

Peyton Howarth has 9 points to lead Charlotte’s scoring at halftime and Jaelyn Baker has 7 points.

Malia Thelen leads Portland with 18 points and Summer Stopczynski has 8 points.

As there is no halftime entertainment, I hope you will enjoy these two original tunes from my You Tube Channel.

“A Man Like Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTdeYRUEOkc

“Won’t Be Alone Too Long” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1_qnhfMT2k

I glanced at the scoreboard and smugly patted myself on the back because my prediction that Portland would have a 43-19 lead when the third quarter started came through!

Portland inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. The Raiders miss a three pointer from the corner. Charlotte misses a fast break layup. Portland throws its fast break outlet pass too far and out of bounds. Charlotte misses a three pointer from the corner. Lilly Thelen goes coast to coast to hit a layup for Portland. Charlotte missees a reverse layup. Portland misses a fast break layup. Alexa Weber stands tall in the lane and forces a Charlotte traveling violation. Lilly Thelen drive and hits a layup to give Portland a 47-19 lead.

Ella Gruber knocks the ball away from Charlotte and Malia Thelen grabs it for Portland. Lilly Thelen passes to Alexa Weber, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Charlotte misfires on a triple try from the wing. Lyla Criscuolo gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. The ball is tied up. The Possession Arrow polls its marketing staff and decides to give the ball to Charlotte. Malia Thelen knocks the Oriole inbound pass out of bounds; Charlotte retains possession.

Charlotte misses a driving layup. Portland misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Charlotte misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Ella Gruber drives and hits a fast break layup to give Portland a 53-19 lead.

Charlotte misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. Jaelyn Baker hits a putback for the Orioles. The Raiders also have a Weber connection; it comes into play as Alexa passes to Kayla, who hits a reverse layup for the Raiders. Charlotte misses a three point shot from the wing. Lilly Thelen inbounds the ball to Kayla Weber, who is fouled on a layup. Kayla Weber hits one of her two free throws. With 2:33 remaining in quarter number three, Portland has a 56-21 lead.

Charlotte misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Lyndi Miller knocks the ball away from Portland and Kayle Pugh picks it up for Charlotte. Charlotte misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Portland misses a threeball from the wing; the rebound goes out of bounds and Charlotte takes possession. The Orioles miss a reverse layup. Portland misses a three point shot from the corner. Kayla Weber blocks a Charlotte layup. The ball goes out of bounds and Portland takes the ball. Bella Spitzley drives and hits a layup for Portland; she is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 33.8 seconds to play in the third quarter, Portland’s lead is at 58-21.

Emma Carns passes to Baylee Moore, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for Charlotte. Kayle Pugh steals a Raider pass just before the third quarter buzzer makes its presence known.

After three quarters, Portland holds a 58-22 lead.

Charlotte inbounds the ball to start out the fourth quarter. Alexa Weber steals the ball and passes to Malia Thelen, who hits a fast break layup for the Raiders. Malia Thelen knocks the Charlotte inbound pass out of bounds; the Orioles get another opportunity. Charlotte commits an offensive foul. Portland misses a layup. Charlotte misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Emma Carns nearly steals the ball for Charlotte, but Portland is able to recover. Alexa Weber sinks a threeball from the side to give Portland a 63-22 lead.

Jaelyn Baker is fouled on a shot and hits two free throws for Charlotte. Erica Russman passes to Summer Stopczynski, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Portland. Summer Stopczynski knocks the ball away from Charlotte and Ana Babcock picks it up for Portland. The Raiders miss a layup. Kayla Weber is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws to boost Portland to a 68-24 lead with 3:30 left on the clock.

Charlotte misses a jump shot. Kayle Pugh hits a putback for the Orioles. Portland misses a layup. Allyson Logel steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Portland. Charlotte miswses a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Kayla Weber hits a fast break layup for Portland. Allyson Logel blocks a Charlotte sixteen footer from the side. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. Kayla Weber knocks the ball away from Charlotte and Erica Russman picks it up for Portland.

Portland misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Erica Russman gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland loses the ball out of bounds a couple seconds before the final buzzer.

Portland wins this CAAC-White matchup by a 72-26 score.

Jaelyn Baker led the Charlotte scoring with 11 points. Peyton Howarth contributed 9 points. Lyndi Miller put in 3 points. Kayle Pugh scored 2 points and Baylee Moore tallied 1 point.

Malia Thelen had 20 points to lead the Portland scoring. Summer Stopczynski supported her teammate with 13 points. Kayla Weber joined her teammates in double figures with 10 points. Alexa Weber tossed in 9 points. Lilly Thlen chipped in with 8 points. Ella Gruber added 6 points. Bella Spitzley, Allyson Logel and Erica Russman each had 2 points.