Allen Park Inter-City Baptist vs. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart – – MHSAA Boys Basketball Semifinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 14, 2014 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Allen Park Inter-City Baptist Chargers will square off against the Irish from Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart in the state Division 4 Basketball semifinal.

I stopped by Jersey Giant and had THE Jersey Giant sub on my way here. They use some of the greatest bread around and make a fantastic sub. It was great!!!

This is the second semifinal of the night. Here is a play by play of the first semifinal between St. Ignace and Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2024/03/15/st-ignace-vs-wyoming-tri-unity-christian-mhsaa-boys-division-4-state-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-march-14-2024-by-chuck-krafft/

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this original Christian tune from my You Tube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGipc4NwzN8

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has provided background information about these teams.

Allen Park Inter-City Baptist enters the game with a 23-4 record. They are rated Number 21 in the State. I was at their quarterfinal game, in which they made a stirring fourth quarter comeback to win over Kingston. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2024/03/13/kingston-vs-allen-park-inter-city-baptist-boys-basketball-division-4-quarterfinal-the-bleacher-denizen-march-10-2024-by-chuck-krafft/

Per the MHSAA Website, here are some of their top players. Ethan Esse averages 20.2 points per game and 3.4 assists per game. He has a great three point stroke and has hit 74 of them so far this year. Andrew Frank averages 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Carlos Jackson averages 8.5 points to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

The Chargers are an excellent three point shooting team. They have five players besides Ethan Esse who have at least ten three point baskets on the season.

Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart is rated #2 in the state and has a 25-2 record. The Irish did not submit statistics, so I will provide this information from an Irish game I covered earlier this season. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2024/02/02/mt-pleasant-sacred-heart-at-vestaburg-boys-basketball-the-bleacher-denizen-february-1-2024-by-chuck-krafft/

Noah Zeien is an excellent all-around guard who has great poise as well as a strong basketball IQ. He is a sophomore in his second year of starting in the Irish backcourt. He is a versatile score who can slash to the basket or snipe away from three point range; he is also a fine ball handler and passer. Grady Pieratt is a complete guard who defends the perimeter well. He is able to hit the three point shot or slash to the basket. He is also a fine ball handler and passer who knows how to get the ball to his teammates. Mr. Pieratt is also a good free throw shooter. Brody Cherry is a strong perimeter defender and ball handler who can hit the three point shot.

Aidan Halliday is in his fourth year of starting for the Irish. He is an excellent athlete who can jump, defend the post or rebound with anyone. He is able to overpower opponents in the lane for post scores and putbacks. Jason Boge is an excellent post defender and rebounder who is also quick enough to defend the perimeter. Luke Taylor shoots the three point shot and defends the perimeter well. Joe McDonald is an excellent defender with a great basketball IQ.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the (hopefully clean) glasses of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball in the ancient times when he was considered to be “young.” Your Bleacher Denizen was showing a lot of promise as a dunker, but his career was severely curtailed when the basketball powers that be raised the rim from five feet to ten feet.

Sacred Heart wins the opening tap. The Irish misfire on a threeball from the top of the key. The rebound goes out of bounds and Baptist gets the ball. The Chargers are whistled for a traveling violation. Noah Zeien passes to Brody Cherry, who slings in a threeball from the wing to give the Irish the first three points of the game.

Baptist misses a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. Sacred Heart misses a three pointer from the corner. Baptist misses a driving layup. Griffin Golden pulls down the offensive rebound for the Chargers. Baptist is whistled for a traveling violation. Noah Zeien drives ahd dishes the ball to Aidan Halliday, who hits an eight foot shot from the baseline to give the Irish a 5-0 lead.

Baptist shuffles feet and is called for traveling. Sacred Heart misses a three point shot from the wing. Jason Boge gets the offensive rebound for the Irish. Grady Pieratt hits a fourteen foot shot off the dribble in the lane for Sacred Heart. Carlos Jackson hits a ten foot shot in the lane to give the Chargers their first two points of the game. Brody Cherry is fouled on a fourteen foot shot off the dribble in the lane. He hits one of his two free throws to give Sacred Heart an 8-2 lead with 4:19 to go in the opening quarter.

Christian Cox passes to Andrew Frank, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Baptist. Sacred Heart misfires on a threeball from the side. Baptist misses a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Chargers get another opportunity. The Chargers miss a driving hook/layup. Sacred Heart misses a three pointer from the wing. Baptist misses a fast break layup.

Sacred Heart fumbles a pass out of bounds. Brody Cherry knocks the ball away from the Chargers; Aidan Halliday pounces on the ball and ties it up. The Possession Arrow was working on remodeling its den and misses the fine Irish hustle. The ball is awarded to the Chargers. Carlos Jackson passes to Mason Kowalski, who is fouled on a driving layup. He hits one of his two free throws to trim the Irish lead to 8-6 with 1:30 remaining in the opening quarter.

Noah Zeien prevents a loose ball from becoming an Irish turnover, drives and hits a layup for Sacred Heart. Aidan Halliday steals the ball for the Irish. Josh Hamilton steals the ball for the Chargers. Ethan Esse passes to Carlos Jackson, who hits a ten foot shot from the side to trim the Irish lead to 10-8.

Sacred Heart misses a driving layup. Baptist misses a thirty foot shot from the wing as the first quarter buzzer announces its presence.

After one quarter, Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart holds a 10-8 lead.

Sacred Heart has the ball to begin the second quarter. The Irish miss a threeball from the corner. Brody Cherry knocks the ball out of bounds; Baptist retains possession. Baptist is whistled for a traveling violation. Brody Cherry drives the baseline and hits a six foot shot to give Sacred Heart a 12-8 lead.

Carlos Jackson hits a two point jump shot for Baptist. Carlos Jackson steals the ball for the Chargers. Andrew Frank hits a ten foot turnaround shot off the dribble from the baseline for Baptist to tie the game at 12-12.

Andrew Frank forces an Irish dribbler to step on the baseline. Baptist misfires on a threeball from the side. Christian Cox and Jackson Dowson team up to tie up the ball for Baptist. The Possession Arrow is very impressed with their hustle. The Possession Arrow and its cleaning committee vote to award the ball to Baptist. Grady Pieratt knocks the ball out of bounds; Baptist retains possession. Grady Pieratt knocks the Charger inbound pass out of bounds; Baptist still retains possession. The Chargers miss a ten foot shot in the lane.

Sacred Heart misses a three point shot from the wing. Baptist throws an outlet pass too far and out of bounds. Sacred Heart misses an eight footer in the lane. Grady Pieratt steals a Charger pass. The Irish misfire on a triple try from the wing. Baptist misses a three pointer from the wing and fouls on the rebound. Grady Pieratt passes to Aidan Halliday, who banks in a ten foot shot from the side of the lane to give the Irish a 14-12 lead.

Baptist misses a ten foot fallaway shot. Christian Cox steals the ball for the Chargers. Baptist misses a fast break layup. Brody Cherry passes to Noah Zeien, who hits a three pointer from the side for the Irish. Brody Cherry draws a charging foul from the Chargers. Ethan Esse steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for the Chargers. Aidan Halliday drives and hits a layup for the Irish. He is fouled on the play and makes his free throw. With 1:01 to play in the first half, the Irish have a 20-14 lead.

Baptist misses a ten foot shot off the dribble in the lane. Noah Zeien is fouled on the rebound and hits two free throws for Sacred Heart. Baptist misses a driving twelve foot shot from the side. Andrew Frank is fouled on a putback and hits two free throws for the Chargers with just 1.3 seconds leeft. Sacred Heart misses a long buzzer heave.

Sacred Heart takes a 22-16 lead into the locker room at halftime. (I’ll bet that is also the score at the start of the third quarter.)

Andrew Frank has 7 points for Baptist at halftime and Carlos Jackson has 6 points.

Noah Zeien and Aidan Halliday each have 7 points for Sacred Heart. Brody Cherry has 6 points.

As many of you are not here to watch the halftime events, here are a couple more tunes from my You Tube Channel.

The John 3:16 song is a Christian song that my late father helped me to write. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYixQ0OWsd4

“Why Me Lord” is one of my favorites!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyJWPJzm45g

I checked the score and am proud to state that the third quarter is starting and Sacred Heart still has a 22-16 lead!! Can I predict things or what???

Sacred Heart ignores the Bleacher Denizen’s obnoxious self back patting and inbounds the ball to open the third quarter. The Irish miss a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Noah Zeien steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for the Irish. Baptist misses a jump shot from the side. Grady Pieratt passes to Aidan Halliday, who hits an eight foot shot from the side to give the Irish a 26-16 lead.

Baptist misses a three pointer from the side and fouls on the rebound. Grady Pieratt passes to Noah Zeien, who tosses in a three pointer from the wing for the Irish. Baptist misses a jump shot. Brody Cherry drives and dishes the ball to Aidan Halliday, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to push the Irish to a 30-16 lead with 5:56 to go in quarter number three.

Baptist misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side. An Irish pass catcher lands on the sideline. Jason Boge blocks a Charger twelve foot shot from the baseline. Andrew Frank steals the ball for the Chargers. Baptist misses a fast break layup. Grady Pieratt hits a twelve foot jump shot off the dribble from the side to boost the Irish to a 32-16 lead.

Baptist misses a reverse layup. Brody Cherry drives and dishes to Jason Boge, who hits a layup for the Irish. Jackson Dawson passes to Andrew Frank, who hits a layup for the Chargers. He is fouled on the play and hits his free throw to shave the Irish lead to 34-19 with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter.

Sacred Heart misses a layup. Brody Cherry gets the offensive rebound for the Irish. Josh Hamilton gets his hand on the ball and the Irish foul as they try to recover. Baptist is fouled on an eight foot jumper in the lane, but misses both free throws. Ethan Esse gets the offensive rebound for the Chargers. Baptist misses a driving layup. Noah Zeien passes to Aidan Halliday, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws to give his Irish a 35-19 lead with 2:38 to play in the quarter.

Baptist misses a threeball from the side. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow looks up from repainting the den and decides to give the ball to the Chargers. Baptist misses a fourteen foot shot in the lane. Sacred Heart misses a driving layup. Jason Boge hits a putback to give the Irish a 27-19 lead.

Baptist misses a driving layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Chargers get another opportunity. Asher Bettinger inbounds the ball to Josh Hamilton; he hits a three pointer from the corner to trim the Irish lead to 37-22.

Sacred Heart holds the ball for the final seconds of the third quarter so that the Irish can shoot the last shot of the quarter. Sacred Heart misses a fifteen foot shot from the wing just before the third quarter buzzer stops play.

After three quarters, Sacred Heart holds a 37-22 lead.

Sacred Heart inbounds the ball to start out the fourth quarter. The Irish miss a layup. Jackson Dawson drives and hits a layup for Baptist. Jason Boge passes to Grady Pieratt, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Irish. Jason Boge steals the ball for Sacred Heart. The Irish misfire on a threeball from the side. Baptist misses a jump shot. Andrew Frank gets the offensive rebound for Baptist and hits a three point shot from the side to cut the Irish lead to 42-27.

Noah Zeien drives and hits a layup for the Irish. Baptist is whistled for a traveling violation. Sacred Heart is whistled for an over and back violation. Baptist misses a three point shot from the side; Sacred Heart fouls on the rebound.

Noah Zeien ties the ball up. The Possession Arrow is sanding the floor of its den and misses the play; the ball is awarded to Baptist. Noah Zeien steals the ball and passes to Grady Pieratt, who hits a fast break layup for the Irish. Ethan Esse is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws. With 4:36 left on the clock, the Sacred Heart lead is at 44-29.

Noah Zeien is fouled on an eight foot banked shot from the side and hits two free throws for Sacred Heart. Carlos Jackson drives and is fouled on an eight foot banked shot from the side. Carlos Jackson hits one of his two free throws for the Chargers. Noah Zeien is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give the Irish a 47-30 lead with 3:37 to play in the contest.

Baptist misses a fourteen foot shot in the lane. Andrew Frank hustles and knocks the rebound off an Irish player; the Chargers get another possession. Baptist misses a threeball from the wing. Sacred Heart is fouled, but misses two free throws. Aidan Halliday gets his hand on the ball and forces a Charger traveling violation. Noah Zeien is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give Sacred Heart a 48-30 lead with 2:11 to go.

Baptist misses a threeball from the wing. Noah Zeien is fouled and hits one of his two free throws for Sacred Heart. Baptist misses a threeball from the side. Andrew Frank steals the ball for the Chargers. Baptist misses a three point shot from the side. Brady Davis hits a fast break layup for Sacred Heart. Jackson Dawson drives and hits a layup for the Chargers. He is fouled on the play and makes his free throw with 56 seconds to play. The Sacred Heart lead is at 51-33 and this is the final scoring in the game.

Sacred Heart misses a threeball from the wing. Baptist reciprocates and misses a threeball from the wing. Sacred Heart wins this game by the score of 51-33 and will play Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian in Saturday morning’s final game.

Andrew Frank had 13 points to lead the Allen Park Inter-City Baptist scoring. Carlos Jackson contributed 7 points. Jackson Dawson added 5 points and Ethan Esse scored 4 points. Josh Hamilton tossed in 3 points. Mason Kowalski tallied 1 point.

Noah Zeien had 19 points to lead the Irish scoring. Aidan Halliday joined his teammate in double figures with 11 points. Grady Pieratt chipped in with 9 points. Brody Cherry added 6 points. Jason Boge put in 4 points and Brady Davis notched 2 points.