Portland at Williamston – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – February 29, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft

It’s February 29th and your Bleacher Denizen is off to Williamston, where the Hornet girls will host the Raiders from Portland in a game between two of the best Girls’ basketball teams in the Lansing Area.

As I have a great nephew who was born on February 29, I’d like to give Lukas T. a shout out on his third official birthday. (Hair splitters will insist that he’s actually 12; I have to admit that he is much bigger and talks far better than most three year olds.) Lukas, I hope you will enjoy this version of Glow Worm from my You Tube Channel as a birthday present! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbyez-hYtDY

Portland has lost only one game all season, to Lansing Catholic, and is ranked in the top ten in the state. Senior Malia Thelen is a complete guard who defends the perimeter vigorously, handles the ball well and is a fine passer. She is also a threat to score either on slashes to the basket or from the three point line. Fellow Senior Alexa Weber is a physical scorer and defender in the post. She can also shoot the outside shot and is an excellent rebounder.

Lilly Thelen, Malia’s sophomore sister is a determined and athletic perimeter defender. She runs the floor well; she can also slash to the basket or shoot from the three point line. Ella Gruber is a fine perimeter defender and outside shooter; she can also handle the ball and slash to the basket. Paige Spedoske is a versatile defender who can cover opponents in the post or on the perimeter. On offense, she has nice post moves she can score with as well as a solid three point shot.

Bella Spitzley provides great energy to Portland’s defense. She runs the floor well and is a good finisher when Portland has a fast break. Kayla Weber is a freshman post player who defends, rebounds and can score down low. Ana Babcock is a good shooter who brings hustle and raw energy to the Raiders.

Summer Stopcynski is a good all-around player. She is a physical defender who does not shy away from contact on offense. She is adept at scoring inside or outside. Allyson Logel defends well on the perimeter or in the post. She is a good rebounder and can hit shots from the outside. Erica Russman brings energy, hustle, fine defense and good rebounding to the Raiders. Bella Heath is unselfish; she rebounds aggressively and can shoot the three point shot.

Williamston has a 16-5 record and the Hornets have some fine players, too! Reese Gaytan is an excellent athlete who can defend on the perimeter and can dominate on offense as well as defense in the post. She is a great scorer and defender who will be playing at Grand Valley next year. Claire Casey is an athletic perimeter defender who will play Division 1 Soccer in college. Addy Feig does a lot of the tough, unsung work like setting screens, rebounding and defending in the post.

Anna Judit runs the floor well and is a good shooter. Thea Fortin is an athletic perimeter player who defends well and is a threat on offense. Abby Brannan is a fine three point shooter. Jaiden Griffith is a rugged defender.

I got to Williamston’s gym in the middle of the second quarter of the JV game. Portland had a 15-13 lead at halftime and outscored Williamston by one point in the third quarter. Entering the final quarter, Portland’s JVs had a 26-23 lead.

Portland had a 40-33 lead after a layup by Aaleigha Roberson with about four minutes left in the game. Williamston played tough defense and pulled to within 40-38 with 37.4 seconds left after they hit one of two free throws after a foul.

Portland’s JVs missed a layup. Williamston was fouled on a driving layup with 19.3 seconds to play, but missed two free throws. Isabella Eaton stole the ball for the Hornets. Williamston was fouled on a layup, but missed two more free throws. Portland got the rebound, but lost the ball with about 2.8 seconds to go. Williamston’s JV did not have time to shoot before time expired. Portland’s JVs won 40-38.

Kylan Dillingham led Williamston’s scoring with 11 points. Sophia Gaytan joined her teammate in double figures with 10 points. Ava Mauk scored 7 points. Madison Stiffler added 4 points. Lyla Hersey and Isabella Eaton each notched 2 points. Ava Eddy and Maya McCullen each tallied 1 point.

Aaleigha Roberson scored 25 points to lead the victorious Portland JVs. Ailla Almy contributed 5 points. Rylee Miller chipped in with 4 points. Lauren Spitzley scored 3 points. Carley Bower added 2 points and Allie Sutberry had 1 point.

Williamston’s Pep Band played the National Anthem and did a fine job!

It is now time to review the results of this varsity game through the occasionally clear lenses of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league. He thought he was going to break through when his coach designed a special crane to lift him over the arms of those pesky defenders about two feet away from the hoop. He was getting layup after layup until an opposing coach built a similar crane for the Bleacher Denizen’s defender. Alas, a promising career was nipped in the bud. IN THE BUD!!!

Williamston wins the opening tap. Claire Casey passes to Thea Fortin, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give the Hornets the first points of the game. Portland loses a pass out of bounds. Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Ella Gruber passes to Alexa Weber, who hits a twelve foot shot from the baseline to trim the Williamston lead to 3-2.

Williamston misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Portland misses a three pointer from the wing. Williamston drives and misses a six foot banked shot from the side. Portland misses a threeball from the wing. Malia Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland misses a fast break layup. Williamston misses a three pointer from the corner. Portland is whistled for an offensive foul.

Williamston misses a three point shot from the wing. Portland misses a driving layup. Williamston misses a driving reverse layup. Portland misses a twelve foot up and under shot in the lane. Williamston fouls on the rebound. Portland misses a three point shot from the wing. The Bleacher Denizen misses seeing the ball go into the basket. Reese Gaytan responds to the Bleacher Denizen’s wish for scoring and hits a fast break layup for Williamston. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 3:17 to play in the first quarter, Williamston has a 5-2 lead.

Portland misses a reverse layup. Abby Brannan is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Williamston. Portland misfires on a threeball from the top of the key. Malia Thelen pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Reese Gaytan blocks a Portland eight foot shot in the lane. Jaiden Griffith is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to give Williamston a 7-2 lead with 1:30 remaining in the quarter.

Lilly Thelen passes to Paige Spedoske, who hits a three point shot from the side for Portland. Claire Casey drives and dishes the ball to Abby Brannan, who hits a three point shot from the side for Williamston. Erica Russman hits a layup for Portland. Thea Fortin is fouled and hits two free throws to boost Williamston to a 12-7 lead with 27.6 seconds left in the quarter.

Portland misses a driving layup. Williamston misses a half court heave as the first quarter buzzer introduces itself to the crowd.

After one quarter, Williamston holds a 12-7 lead.

Portland has the ball to start out the second quarter. The Raiders miss a driving layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Portland gets another opportunity. The Raiders miss a six foot shot from the wing. Claire Casey passes to Abby Brannan, who hits a threeball from the side to boost the Hornets to a 15-7 lead.

Abby Brannan knocks the ball away from Portland and Claire Casey picks it up for Williamston. Abby Brannan passes to Reese Gaytan, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws for Williamston. Jaiden Griffith steals the ball for the Hornets. Claire Casey passes to Abby Brannan, who throws in a threeball from the corner to give Williamston a 19-7 lead.

Portland misses a three pointer from the wing. Erica Russman grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misfires on a triple try from the top of the key. Bella Spitzley ties up a Hornet pass in the lane. The Possession Arrow and its Prom Decoration Committee were looking at flower arrangements and miss the play. The ball is awarded back to Williamston. Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. Erica Russman passes to Malia Thelen, who hits a three point shot from the side to shave the Williamston lead to 19-10.

Paige Spedoske blocks a Williamston six foot shot in the paint. Malia Thelen hits a fast break layup for the Raiders. Bella Spitzley ties up a ball in the lane. The Possession Arrow and its Rules Committee loved her hustle and award the ball to Portland. Alexa Weber passes to Malia Thelen, who hits a three point shot near the top of the key to cut the Hornet lead to 19-15.

Lilly Thelen ties the ball up in the lane. The Possession Arrow was taking a nap to try to ease its migraine headache when the play happened and missed everything. The ball is awarded back to Williamston. Malia Thelen gets her hand on the ball and Williamston loses it out of bounds. Portland misses a threeball from the wing and Williamston fouls on the rebound. Anna judit steals the ball for the Hornets.

Malia Thelen knocks the Williamston outlet pass out of bounds to foil a fast break. The Hornets get the ball back. Williamston misses a layup. Jaiden Griffith grabs the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Anna Judit dives and saves the ball to prevent a Williamston turnover. Williamston misses a driving, spinning layup. Portland is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws. With 1:44 to play in the half, Williamston’s lead remains at 19-15.

Thea Fortin drives and dishes the ball to Jaiden Griffith, who hits a layup for Williamston. The Raiders miss a jump shot. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow polls its polling committee and decides to give the ball to Portland. Malia Thelen passes to Bella Spitzley, who hits a three point shot from the wing to trim the Hornet lead to 21-18.

Bella Spitzley harrassess Williamston and the Hornets lose the ball out of bounds. Alexa Weber bounces a pass to Lilly Thelen, who hits a layup for the Raiders. Malia Thelen steals the ball and charges up the court; she barely beats the buzzer with her fast break layup to give the Raiders a one point lead.

At halftime, Portland holds a 22-21 lead.

Malia Thelen leads the Portland scoring with 10 poins.

Reese Gaytan has 10 points and Thea Fortin has 5 points for Williamston.

The Pep Band entertained at halftime and played some fine music. I really liked their version of “Eye of the Tiger!”

For those of you were not here to hear the band at halftime, I hope you will enjoy a couple tunes from my You Tube Channel!

“A Man Like Me” is an original tune! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTdeYRUEOkc

“Feed the Birds” is a piano solo of the song that was featured in “Mary Poppins.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw2KWzZEUZA

Williamston inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. The Hornets miss a three pointer from the top of the key. Portland throws a pass out of bounds. Paige Spedoske knocks the ball away from Williamston and Alexa Weber picks it up for Portland. A Portland layup is negated by a Williamston foul before the shot. Reese Gaytan steals Portland’s inbound pass. On the other end, Reese Gaytan hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line to give the Hornets a 23-22 lead.

Portland misses a layup. Reese Gaytan hits a three pointer off the dribble from the wing for Williamston. Portland misfires on a threeball from the wing. Paige Spedoske gets the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland is whistled for a traveling violation. A Williamston dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Alexa Weber passes to Paige Spedoske, who drives and hits a reverse layup for Portland. Reese Gaytan is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to push the Williamston lead to 27-24 with 5:13 remaining in quarter number three.

Reese Gaytan steals a Portland pass into the lane. The Hornets miss a threeball from the wing. Portland misses a layup. Summer Stopczynski ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow and its Cleanup Committee loved how she hustled and award the ball to Portland. Claire Casey gets her hand on the Portland inbound pass, but the Raiders recover. Lilly Thelen backs down a Hornet defender and hits a six foot hook shot in the lane for the Raiders to trim the Hornet lead to 27-26.

Williamston misses a threeball from the corner. Portland misses a threeball from the side. Summer Stopcynski pulls down the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a layup. Paige Spedoske gets the offensive rebound for Portland. The Raiders misfire on a threeball near the top of the key. Williamston misses a three point shot from the wing. Paige Spedoske passes to Erica Russman, who hits a fast break layup to give Portland a 28-27 lead.

Williamston misses a three point shot from the corner; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Hornets get another opportunity. Reese Gaytan passes to Abby Brannan, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give Williamston a 30-28 lead.

Portland misses a driving layup. Lilly Thelen steals the ball for the Raiders. Portland loses the ball out of bounds. Williamston misses a three point shot from the wing. Portland misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow looks up from its afternoon tea and declares that Portland shall have the ball.

The Raiders commit an offensive foul. Claire Casey passes to Reese Gaytan, who hits a layup for the Hornets. Jaiden Griffith steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for the Hornets. Portland misses a heave as the third quarter buzzer makes its appearance.

With three quarters in the books, Williamston has a 34-28 lead.

Williamston inbounds the ball to start out the fourth quarter. Jaiden Griffith drives and hits a layup for the Hornets. Portland misses a jump shot from the free throw line and a putback. Kayla Weber hits a putback for the Raiders to trim the Hornet lead to 36-30.

Williamston misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Williamston gets the ball back. Anna Judit is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to boost Williamston’s lead to 38-20 with 6:43 remaining in the contest.

Malia Thelen drives and banks in a hook/layup for the Raiders. Williamston turns the ball over. Jaiden Griffith steals the ball for the Hornets. Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. Reese Gaytan is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws. With 5:33 remaining in the game, Williamston holds a 39-32 lead.

Anna Judit grabs the offensive rebound for Williamston. Williamston misses a layup. Claire Casey steals the ball for the Hornets. Williamston misfires on a triple try from the wing. Jaiden Griffith knocks the ball away from Portland and Thea Fortin picks it up for Williamston. Williamston misses a threeball from the wing. Portland reciprocates and misses a threeball from the wing. Reese Gaytan passes to Claire Casey, who hits a layup that gives Williamston a 41-32 lead.

Portland misses a three pointer from the side. Williamston commits an offensive foul. Malia Thelen hits a threeball from the wing for Portland. Lilly Thelen gets her hand on the ball, but the Hornets recover. Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. Reese Gaytan grabs the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Lilly Thelen forces a Hornet traveling violation. Lilly Thelen drives and banks in an eight foot hook shot for Portland. Reese Gaytan is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to push Williamston to a 42-37 lead with 1:20 left on the clock.

Abby Brannan pulls down the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Claire Casey is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for the Hornets. Paige Spedoske drives and hits a layup for Portland. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 46.7 seconds to go, Williamston’s lead is at 43-39.

Portland gets the offensive rebound, but misses a threeball from the wing. Alexa Weber grabs the offensive rebound for the Raiders. Portland misses a threeball from the side. Claire Casey is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Williamston. Claire Casey blocks a Portland three point shot from the wing. Claire Casey is fouled and makes one of her two free throws with 4.5 seconds left to give her Hornets a 45-39 lead.

Portland misses a thirty foot shot from the wing as time expires.

Williamston wins this game by the final score of 45-39.

Portland’s Malia Thelen led all scorers with 15 points. Paige Spedoske contributed 7 points and Lilly Thelen added 6 points. Erica Russman scored 4 points. Bella Spitzley tossed in 3 points. Kayla Weber and Alexa Weber each tallied 2 points.

Abby Brannan and Reese Gaytan each scored 13 points to lead the Hornets. Jaiden Griffith chipped in with 7 points. Thea Fortin and Claire Casey each added 5 points. Anna Judit had 2 points.