Portland St. Patrick at Morrice – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 5, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft
St. Patrick’s Girls played Morrice in tonight’s first game. Here is the play by play of that game!
While we wait for this game to start, I hope you will enjoy this rendition of “The Lonely Bull” from my You Tube Channel featuring trumpeter extraordinaire, John Rickert!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmJmDiyf3ps
St. Patrick’s Shamrocks enter the game with a 5-10 record. Brayden Simon is an excellent athlete with the size to defend and rebound well in the middle and the athletic ability to cover players on the perimeter. He is adept at using his size and athletic ability to score inside, but he is also a threat from the three point line. He is a good ball handler and passer as well.
Jerryd Scheurer is a ninth grader in his second year of starting on the Shamrock varsity. He is an excellent athlete who is quick and energetic with his perimeter defense. He is also a fine ball handler and passer who runs the point for the Shamrocks most of the time. He is able to score either with his accurate three point shot or on slashes to the basket. Brady Leonard is a good perimeter defender who shoots the three point shot accurately.
Landon Simpson is a fine perimeter defender with excellent passing and ball handling skills; he is also able to handle the point when the Shamrocks need that from him. He is a good three point shooter who can slash to the basket. Charlie Thelen is a strong player in the post who can score on putbacks or slashes. He also has an excellent three point shot. He is capable of getting hot and having big scoring outbursts.
Devin Cook rebounds and defends well in the post. Nathan Fears is an excellent on-ball defender who is a strong overall perimeter defender as well.
The Morrice Orioles bring a 4-10 record into this game. Oliver Long is a strong rebounder and defender in the post. He can score inside, but is a really accurate three point shooter as well. Caden Binkley is a good three point shooter who defends well on the perimeter. Logan Smith is able to slash to the basket or shoot the three point shot with accuracy. Travis Smith defends and rebounds well in the post.
Joel Fisher and Wyatt Cartier are fine perimeter defenders. Carrter Csasvar plays in the post, but can step out to shoot the three point shot. Austin Gutting is a good perimeter defender who is a threat from the three point line.
Your Bleacher Denizen was flattered when the people at Morrice asked him to sing the National Anthem! I think I managed not to break any glass or permanently damage anyone’s hearing. Thank you to the people from Morrice for having me do this!!
It is now time to look at the events of this game through the aging lenses of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league back in the day when he attempted to play basketball. While people criticized his lateral movement and quickness on the perimeter, I’d like to point out that the Roman Sandals we wore for shoes most of the time in those days limited almost everyone’s quickness and agility.
Morrice wins the opening tap. The Orioles miss a jump shot from the free throw elbow. St. Patrick misfires on a triple try from the wing. Jerryd Scheurer taps the offensive rebounding to Charlie Thelen. Jerryd Scheurer passes to Charlie Thelen, who hits a layup to give St. Patrick the game’s first two points. Morrice misfires on a threeball from the top of the key. Jerryd Scheurer drives and dishes the ball to Charlie Thelen, who hits a three pointer from the side to give St. Patrick a 5-0 lead.
Morrice is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws. Landon Simpson passes to Jerryd Scheurer, who hits a three point shot from the side for St. Patrick. Charlie Thelen steals an Oriole pass in the lane. St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the corner. Jerryd Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a three point attempt from the corner. Bryaden Simon gets his hand on the ball; Morrice loses it out of bounds. Jerryd Scheurer bounces a pass to Charlie Thelen, who hits a layup to give St. Patrick a 10-0 lead.
Morrice misses a three point shot from the side. Brayden Simon drives from the side and hits a reverse layup to boost the Shamrock lead to 12-0.
Morrice misses an eight foot shot in the lane. St. Patrick missaes a three point shot near the top of the key. Joel Fisher takes the ball coast to coast for a layup that gives Morrice its first two points of the game. Joel Fisher and Travis Smith team up to force a Shamrock traveling violation. Morrice misfires on a threeball near the top of the key. St. Patrick fouls on the rebound. (We’re talking a Shamrock player here, not the Saint himself!!!) Morrice mnisses a ten foot shot from the side. Jerryd Scheurer passes to Charlie Thalen, who hits a layup to give the Shamrocks a 14-2 lead.
Jerryd Scheurer gets his hand on the ball and causes a scrum that leads to a held ball. The Possession Arrow is enamored with Mr. Scheurer’s hustle and awards the ball to the Shamrocks. Caden Binkley knocks a Shamrock pass out of bounds; St. Patrick gets the ball back. Grant Pline passes the ball to Brayden Simon, who hits a threeball from the side to give St. Patrick a 17-2 lead.
Morrice misses a layup. Austin Gutting steals a Shamrock pass. Morrice misses a fast break layup. St. Patrick misses a three point attempt from the wing. Morrice misses a jump shot. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side as the first quarter buzzer announces its presence.
After one quarter, St. Patrick has a 17-2 lead.
Morrice has the ball to open the second quarter. The Orioles miss a jump shot from the free throw line. Travis Smith grabs the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Jerryd Scheurer passes to Lucas Simon, who hits a layup for the Shamrocks. Morrice misses a three point shot from the side. Carter Csaszar steals the ball for the Orioles.
Jerryd Scheurer knocks an Oriole pass out of bounds; the Orioles retain possession. Brady Leonard knocks an Oriole pass out of bounds. In a deja vu moment, the Orioles again retain possession. Morrice misfires on a threeball from the wing. Logan Smith gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Oliver Long hits a layup to trim the Shamrock lead to 19-4.
St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. Jerryd Scheurer gets the long offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the corner. Morrice misses a three point shot from the top of the key. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound hits the basket support and Morrice takes possession. Carter Csaszar passes to Oliver Long, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws for Morrice. With 4:54 to play in the first half, St. Patrick has a 19-6 lead.
Brady Leonard passes to Brayden Simon, who hits a three point shot from the corner for St. Patrick. Morrice misses a three pointer from the wing. Carter Csaszar ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow and all of its Spring Cleaning Committee are impressed with his hustle and the ball is awarded to the Orioles. Morrice misses a three point shot from the corner. Joel Fisher gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Morrice misses a three point shot from the side.
Travis Smith gets his hand on a Shamrock pass and St. Patrick loses the ball out of bounds. Nathan Fears gets his hand on the ball, but Morrice is able to save its possession. Oliver Long picks up a loose ball and hits a layup to trim the Shamrock lead to 22-8.
St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the corner. Charlie Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. Nathan Fears snares the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misfires on a threeball from the corner and fouls on the rebound. Jerryd Scheurer knocks the ball away from Morrice and Charlie Thelen picks it up for St. Patrick. The Shamrocks miss a layup. Joel Fisher drives and is fouled on a layup. He makes his two free throws to shave the Shamrock lead to 22-10 with 2:16 left on the first half clock.
Joel Fisher taps the ball away from St. Patrick, but the Shamrocks are able to recover. St. Patrick misses a layup. Devin Cook knocks the offensive rebound to Jerryd Scheurer. The Shamrocks miss a three point shot from the corner. Morrice misses a twelve foot shot from the baseline. Logan Smith tips the ball in to cut the St. Patrick lead to 22-12.
St. Patrick holds the ball for the last shot. The Smith connection comes through for Morrice as Logan knocks the ball away from St. Patrick and Travis picks it up for Morrice. Devin Cook steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Logan Smith steals the ball for the Orioles. Morrice misses a long heave at the buzzer. (Basketball cliches can be interesting; the ball was actually thrown at the basket, but I digress.)
At halftime, St. Patrick has a 22-12 lead.
Oliver Long leads the Morrice scoring with 6 points and Joel Fisher has 4 points.
Charlie Thelen leads the St. Patrick scoring with 9 points and Brayden Simon has 8 points.
As there is no halftime entertainment, I hope you will enjoy these selections from my You Tube Channel.
“Alexander’s Ragtime Band” has a couple (hopefully comedic twists toward the middle and end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUieaBvS38w
Here is my piano version of “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3482fQh0Rdo
St. Patrick inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Charlie Thelen passes to Jerryd Scheurer, who hits an eight foot banked shot from the side of the lane for the Shamrocks. Morrice misses a ten footer from the side of the lane. Joel Fisher knocks the ball out of bounds; St. Patrick retains possession. Charlie Thelen passes cross court to Brayden Simon, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give St. Patrick a 27-12 lead.
Morrice misses a three point shot from the wing. Logan Smith pulls down the offensive rebound for the Orioloes. Morrice misses a layup. Oliver Long blocks a St. Patrick layup; the loose ball goes out of bounds and the Shamrocks get another opportunity. Jerryd Scheurer inbounds the ball to Brayden Simon, who hits a layup for St. Patrick. Logan Smith passes to Caden Binkley, who hits a three point shot from the wing to trim the Shamrock lead to 29-15.
Oliver Long steals the ball for the Orioles. Morrice sets an illegal screen and is whistled for an offensive foul. Oliver Long steals a Shamrock pass in the lane. Charlie Thelen defends and forces an Oriole traveling violation. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. Morrice misses a ten footer from th ebaseline. Oliver Long hits a putback for Morrice. St. Patrick misses a three point attempt from the side. Charlie Thelen hits a putback to give St. Patrick a 31-17 lead.
Morrice misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. A Shamrock dribbler steps on the baseline. Morrice misses a driving layup. Carter Scaszar gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Logan Smith is fouled on a ten foot shot off the dribble from the baseline; he hits two free throws to trim the St. Patrick lead to 31-19 with 3:15 to play in quarter number three.
Wyatt Cartier gets his hand on the ball, but St. Patrick is able to recover. The Shamrocks throw a pass out of bounds. Jerryd Scheurer steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for St. Patrick. Nathan Fears knocks the ball away from an Oriole dribbler and it goes out of bounds; Morrice briefly retains posserssion, but the Orioles throw a pass out of bounds. Charlie Thelen passes to Gabe Wernet, who hits a layup to give St. Patrick a 35-19 lead.
Logan Smith passes to Austin Gutting for an Oriole layup. St. Patrick is assessed with a traveling violation. Nathan Fears draws an offensive foul from the Orioles. Carter Csaszar steals the ball for Morrice. Morrice misses a three pointer from the wing. St. Patrick misses a three pointer near the top of the key. Devin Cook grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Logan Smith hits a two point shot near the top of the key for Morrice. Charlie Thelen passes to Brayden Simon, who hits a three point shot from the side at the buzzer for St. Patrick.
With three quarters in the books. St. Patrick has a 38-23 lead.
Morrice inbounds the ball to open the final quarter. Brayden Simon harasses Morrice into throwing the ball out of bounds. Morrice is given a technical foul. Jerryd Scheurer hits one of his two free throws for St. Patrick. The Shamrocks get another possession after the technical foul, but miss a layup. Morrice misses a six foot shot from the side of the lane. Jerryd Scheurer passes to Charlie Thelen, who hits a layup to give St. Patrick a 41-23 lead.
Morrice misses a six foot shot from the side of the lane. Logan Smith steals a Shamrock pass. Jerryd Scheurer gets a hand on the ball, but Morrice is able to recover. The Orioles miss a threeball from the wing and foul on the rebound. Oliver Long steals the ball for the Orioles. Joel Fisher passes to Oliver Long, who hits a layup for Morrice to trim the St. Patrick lead to 41-25.
Joel Fisher steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Morrice. St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the wing. Morrice misses a fourteen foot shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Travis Smith knocks the ball away from St. Patrick and Joel Fisher picks it up for Morrice. The Orioles miss a driving five foot shot in the lane. Travis Smith snares the offensive rebound for Morrice. Austin Guttin passes to Oliver Long, who hits a three point shot from the corner to cut the Shamrock lead to 41-30.
Joel Fisher steals the ball for Morrice. The Orioles throw a pass out of bounds. St. Patrick misses a threeball from the corner; Morrice fouls on the rebound. Oliver Long knocks the ball away from St. Patrick, but the Shamrocks are briefly able to recover before the ball is tied up. The Possession Arrow and its Class Reunion Committee miss the play, award the ball to St. Patrick and go back to planning their fifteen year reunion.
Travis Smith steals the ball for Morrice and passes to Logan Smith for an Oriole layup to chop the Shamrock lead down to nine points at 41-32.
Charlie Thelen passees to Jerryd Scheurer, who hits a long three point shot past the top of the key for St. Patrick. Oliver Long passes to Caden Binkley, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws for Morrice. With 1:58 left on the clock, the Shamrock lead is at 44-33.
Travis Smith gets the offensive rebound for the Orioles. Gabe Wernet steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Travis Smith steals the ball for the Orioles. Jerryd Scheurer steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for St. Patrick. Morrice misses a three point shot from the corner. Wyatt Cartier and Austin Gutting team up to steal the ball for Morrice. Jerryd Scheurer steals the ball for the Shamrocks. Gabe Wernet passes to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both free throws. With 33 seconds to go, St. Patrick has a 46-33 lead.
Gabe Wernet grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. Jerryd Scheurer is fouled with 24.3 seconds left and hits one of his two free throws for St. Patrick. Morrice misses a drving eight foot banked hook shot. St. Patrick is fouled and misses two free throws. Grant Pline and dives and knocks the ball out of bounds; Morrice retains possession. The Orioles throw a pass out of bounds. St. Patrick runs out the clock.
St. Patrick wins this non-conference game by a final score of 47-33.
Oliver Long had 13 points to lead the Oriole scoring. Logan Smith contributed 8 points. Joel Fisher notched 6 points. Caden Binkley scored 4 points.
Brayden Simon led the victorious Shamrocks with 16 points. Jerryd Scheurer supported his teammate with 14 points. Charlie Thelen chipped in with 13 points. Gabe Wernet and Lucas Simon each added 2 points.