Portland St. Patrick vs. Fowler – – Boys Basketball – – MHSAA District Final – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 1, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Shamrocks from Portland St. Patrick and the Eagles from Fowler will meet to determine the District Champion in the Bellevue District! The Central Michigan Athletic Conference will be well-represented tonight as St. Patrick and Fowler are both members.

While we wait for this game to start, I hope you will enjoy this piano solo of “Feed the Birds” from the movie, “Mary Poppins” from my You Tube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw2KWzZEUZA

Fowler has a 16-7 record and finished third in the CMAC behind powerful Laingsburg and Pewamo-Westphalia. Junior Point Guard Jacob Halfmann is in his third year as a starter. (He also quarterbacks Fowler’s strong football team.) He is an excellent all around defender who is quick enough to harass opponents on the perimeter and tall enough to defend in the post when he has to. On offense, he is a great ball handler and passer who runs the Fowler offense well. He scores a lot after steals, but he can also slash to the basket and is a threat from the three point line.

Alex Halfmann is also in his third year of starting for the Eagles; he plays in the post where he is a tough defender and rebounder who gets his share of putbacks and has some good post moves to score. He has also added range to his shot where he is a threat from midrange. Aaron Simon has a beautiful three point shot. He is also an active perimeter defender. Asher Koenigsknecht puts the “d” in defense with his tremendous energy and determination on the perimeter. He is also a good outside shooter who can use his quickness to get to the basket.

Zach Halfmann is a tall, quick player who is tough either on the perimeter or in the post. He also brings a solid three point shot to the Eagles. Nathan Hamilton defends the perimeter well and can hit the three point shot. Nate Simon is a tough, driven defender who can force his way to the basket to score. Augustine Spitzley is a tall, athletic player who defends well anywhere on the court. Brady Feldpausch defends the perimeter well and can get hot from the three point line.

St. Patrick had its best year in the CMAC since I have been doing the blog as they managed a 9-9 league record to finish in a tie for fourth place and a 12-11 overall record. They are one of the few teams I have seen this year where every starter is a genuine threat to hit multiple three pointers in a game.

Brayden Simon is the big man in the middle where he is a quick, strong, athletic defender and rebounder. He scores well in the post, but is also a fine athlete who can handle the ball, pass and hit an accurate three point shot. Jerryd Scheurer runs the point for the Shamrocks. He is a ninth grader in his second year as the starting point guard. He is a quick and determined perimeter defender who is a fine ball handler and runs the offense well. He is also an excellent three point shooter who hit the big shot to win the semifinal game against Bellevue so St. Patrick could play in this game. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2024/02/29/portland-st-patrick-vs-bellevue-boys-basketball-district-tournament-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-february-28-2024-by-chuck-krafft/

Landon Simpson is another energetic perimeter defender who has the offensive skill to practically give the Shamrocks a second point guard as he is also a strong passer and ball handler. He is another of the Shamrocks’ dangerous three point shooters. Brady Leonard is an excellent perimeter defender who is a good three point shooter. Charlie Thelen is a gifted scorer who can drive to the basket or get hot from the three point line. He is also a solid defender and rebounder.

It is now time to look at the events of this game through the eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play ball in the ancient times. While many people criticized his ball handling, in his defense, I’ll remind you that many players struggled to dribble the roundish stones that had to serve as basketballs before rubber was invented.

Olivia Wing started things off with a beautiful performance of our Star Spangled Banner. As a musician myself, I always love to give a student credit for a musical job well done. Her pitch was excellent and I love that she did a disciplined traditional performance. (I feel that the National Anthem speaks for itself and am not a big fan of singers trying to “Make it their own.”)

The opening tap is not corralled by either team and goes out of bounds; Fowler takes possession. Fowler misses a five foot shot from the baseline. Asher Koenigsknecht steals the ball and hits a layup for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a six foot banked shot off the dribble. Fowler misses a driving layup. Brayden Simon gets into the lane and banks in a ten foot shot for the Shamrocks to tie the game at 2-2.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. Alex Halfmann grabs the offensive board for the Eagles. Charlie Thelen draws a charging foul from Fowler. Brayden Simon drives and hits a six foot shot from the side of the lane to make the score Brayden Simon 4 Fowler 2.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. St. Patrick loses a pass out of bounds. Jacob Halfmann drives and dishes to Aaron Simon, who throws in a threeball from the side to give the Eagles a one point lead. Jerryd Scheurer drives and banks in a six foot shot from the side to take the lead back for St. Patrick. Jacob Halfmann bursts through the lane and hits a layup to give Fowler a 7-6 lead.

Aaron Simon knocks the ball away from the Shamrocks and Jacob Halfmann picks it up for the Eagles. Fowler travels with the ball. (Basketball cliches can be interesting; I doubt that traveling without the ball would be terribly newsworthy.) St. Patrick ignores the Bleacher Denizen’s semantic angst, but misses a threeball from the wing. Jacob Halfmann hits an eight foot shot off the dribble from the side to give Fowler a 9-6 lead.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. Charlie Thelen grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses an eight foot banked shot from the side. Jacob Halfmann hits a six foot turnaround jumper from the side of the lane to push the Eagle lead to 11-6.

Brayden Simon hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow for the Shamrocks. Fowler misses a three point shot from the top of the key. St. Patrick misfires on a threeball from the side. Fowler misses an eight foot shot off the dribble in the lane. St. Patrick misses a three pointer from the corner. Charlie Thelen hits a putback to trim the Eagle lead to 11-10.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. St. Patrick misses an eight foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. Fowler misfires on a triple try from the corner. St. Patrick is whistled for a three seconds (in the lane) violation. Fowler misses a three point attempt from the side as the first quarter buzzer announces its presence.

After one quarter, Fowler has an 11-10 lead.

St. Patrick inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. Charlie Thelen drives and hits a layup to give the Shamrocks a one point lead. Aaron Simon hits a three point shot off the dribble from the top of the key to put Fowler back on top. Jerryd Scheurer banks in an eight foot shot off the dribble from the side to tie the game. Jacob Halfmann drives and is fouled on a layup. Jacob Halfmann hits two free throws to give the Eagles a 16-14 lead with 6:57 remaining in the second quarter.

St. Patrick misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Brayden Simon grabs the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Fowler reciprocates and misses a driving layup. St. Patrick misses a threeball from the top of the key. Fowler misses a driving layup. St. Patrick misses a three point attempt from the top of the key. Fowler misses a driving layup. Augustine Spitzley grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles.

Fowler misses a layup. The Bleacher Denizen is starting to miss seeing the ball go into the basket. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler gets another opportunity. Asher Koenigsknecht passes to Jacob Halfmann, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a six foot hook shot. Jacob Halfmann passes to Asher Koenigsknecht, who hits a three point shot from the corner to boost the Eagles to a 22-14 lead.

Alex Halfmann knocks the ball away from the Shamrocks and Jacob Halfmann picks it up for the Eagles. Asher Koenigsknecht passes to Jacob Halfmann, who throws in a threeball from the corner for the Eagles. Jerryd Scheurer gets into the lane and hits a twelve foot over a Fowler defender for St. Patrick to trim the Fowler lead to 25-16.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler gets another possession. Fowler misses a layup. Asher Koenigsknecht pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. Jacob Halfmann hits a putback for the Eagles. Nate Spicer steals the ball and hits a fast break layup to give Fowler a 29-16 lead.

Nate Spicer blocks a Shamrock six foot shot from the side of the lane. The ball goes out of bounds and St. Patrick gets another possession. The Shamrocks miss a threeball from the wing; the rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler gets the ball. Fowler misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane. St. Patrick misses a three point attempt from the side. Aaron Simon gets the ball to Alex Halfmann, who spins and hits a six foot shot in the lane to give Fowler a 31-16 lead.

St. Patrick misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane. Jacob Halfmann takes the ball coast to coast and zooms in for a Fowler layup. Brayden Simon passes to Charlie Thelen, who connects on a threeball from the side for the Shamrocks to shave Fowler’s lead to 33-19.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. Alex Halfmann gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. Alex Halfmann blocks a Shamrock fast break layup. Fowler is whistled for a traveling violation. Alex Halfmann blocks a Shamrock triple try from the top of the key. Landon Simpson nearly steals the ball for the Shamrocks; Fowler is able to recover. Alex Halfmann is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to give Fowler a 35-19 lead with 39.0 seconds remaining in the half.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot near the top of the key. Devin Cook gets the offensive rebound for the Shamrocks. St. Patrick misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing at the buzzer.

Fowler has a 35-19 lead at halftime.

Charlie Thelen leads the Shamrock scoring with 7 points at halftime. Jerryd Scheurer and Brayden Simon each have 6 points.

Jacob Halfmann has 18 points to lead Fowler’s scoring. Aaron Simon has 6 points.

As there is no halftime entertainment, I hope you will enjoy a couple videos from my You Tube Channel!

Here is an all piano arrangement of “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3482fQh0Rdo

“Hey There, Baby, Listen” is an original country-style tune I wrote where my good friend Mark Wilcox sings an excellent lead vocal!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PURLmxT_3Q

Fowler inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Jacob Halfmann passes to Alex Halfmann, who spins and banks in a six foot shot for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a driving layup. Fowler reciprocates and misses a driving layup. Jerryd Scheurer is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws. With 6:00 to play in the third quarter, Fowler’s lead is at 37-20.

Fowler misses a three point shot from he side. Alex Halfmann pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Asher Koenigsknecht passes to Jacob Halfmann, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Fowler. St. Patrick misses an eight foot shot off the dribble in the lane. Jacob Halfmann drives the baseline and hits a layup for Fowler. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 5:14 to play in the quarter, Fowler’s lead is at 42-20.

Charlie Thelen is fouled as he makes a post move to score and hits two free throws for St. Patrick. f Fowler misses a layup. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the side. Fowler misses a three pointer near the top of the key. Charlie Thelen is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to trim the Eagle lead to 42-24 with 4:19 to play in the quarter.

Fowler bounces its inbound pass out of bounds. Charlie Thelen gets into the lane and hits an eight foot banked shot for St. Patrick. Nathan Fears dives to tie up the ball for St. Patrick. The Possession Arrow and its tea preparation committee are celebrating crumpet night and watching the game eagerly. The ball is awarded to St. Patrick. Jerryd Scheurer passes to Brayden Simon, who spins and hits a layup for the Shamrocks. Fowler misses a three point shot from the corner. Landon Simpson drives from the side and hits a layup to shave the Eagle lead to 42-30. St. Patrick has scored the last ten points in a row.

Fowler misfires on a triple try from the wing. St. Patrick travels on a drive to the basket. Fowler misses a driving layup. Augustine Spitzley gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a three point shot. Asher Koenigsknecht grabs the long offensive rebound for Fowler. Brayden Simon ties up the ball for the Shamrocks. The Possession Arrow and its tea preparation staff are busy cleaning up after crumpet night and miss the play. The ball is awarded to Fowler.

The Eagles miss a driving layup. Augustine Spitzley grabs the offensive rebound for Fowler. Fowler is assessed with a traveling violation. Augustine Spitzley blocks a Fowler layup. Alex Halfmann hits a twelve foot turnaround shot in the lane for the Eagles to break the ten point Shamrock scoring run. Fowler has a 44-30 lead.

Brady Leonard passes to Charlie Thelen, who drives, hits a layup, is fouled and makes his free throw for St. Patrick with just 26.8 seconds left in the quarter to cut Fowler’s lead to 44-33. Fowler misses an eighteen foot shot from the wing at the buzzer.

After three quarters, Fowler has a 44-33 lead.

St. Patrick inbounds the ball to open the fourth quarter. Charlie Thelen spins and drives in for a Shamrock layup to bring St. Patrick to within nine points. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Zach Halfmann pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Jacob Halfmann drives and hits a layup for Fowler. He is fouled on the play and sinks his free throw to give Fowler a 42-30 lead with 7:05 remaining in the game.

A St. Patrick pass hits the backboard and Jacob Halfmann steals the ball for the Eagles. Asher Koenigsknecht is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws for Fowler. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from he corner. Brayden Simon steals the ball and hits a layup for St. Patrick. Aaron Simon connects on a fifteen foot shot from the side to push the Eagles to a 50-37 lead.

Jacob Halfmann knocks a Shamrock pass out of bounds; St. Patrick retains possession. Brady Leonard inbounds the ball to Charlie Thelen, who hits a layup for the Shamrocks. Nathan Fears plays fearsome defense and forces an Eagle traveling violation. Landon Simpson drives the lane, reaches high and hits a layup for St. Patrick. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 4:50 to play, the Fowler lead is at 50-41.

St. Patrick fouls on the rebound. Fowler misses an eight foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. St. Patrick misses a fast break layup. Fowler bounces a pass out of bounds. St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. Alex Halfmann spins and powers in a layup to give Fowler a 52-41 lead.

St. Patrick misses a six foot banked shot from the side. Jerryd Scheurer taps the rebound out to Brayden Simon, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key to cut the Fowler lead to 52-44. Fowler calls time out with 2:37 left on the clock.

St. Patrick commits its fourth foul of the quarter and fouls Alex Halfmann as soon as the ball is inbounded. Alex Halfmann hits two free throws for Fowler. Alex Halfmann and Asher Koenigsknecht team up to strip the ball from a Shamrock player trying to shoot a layup. Fowler is fouled, but misses two free throws. With 1:31 to play, Fowler has a 54-44 lead.

Alex Halfmann hustles and saves the long offensive rebound for the Eagles. He is fouled and hits two free throws to give Fowler a 56-44 lead with 1:20 left in the game.

St. Patrick misses a three point shot from the wing. Fowler runs out the last minute or so on the clock.

Fowler wins this game 56-44 and will play Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian in Tuesday’s Regional Semifinal.

Charlie Thelen had 20 points to lead the St. Patrick scoring. Brayden Simon supported his teammate with 13 points. Jerryd Scheurer scored 7 points and Landon Simpson added 4 points.

Fowler’s Jacob Halfmann had 26 points to lead all scorers. Alex Halfmann joined his teammate in double figures with 12 points. Asher Koenigsknecht and Aaron Simon each contributed 8 points. Nate Spicer had 2 points.