Reading at Stockbridge – – Boys Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – January 16, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, the Bleacher Denizen is traveling to Stockbridge, where the Hometown Panthers will host the Rangers from Reading. These teams play in the Big 8 Conference. Stockbridge is in second place with a 5-1 record in the league; the Panthers are 8-3 overall. Reading is looking for its first league win and is 1-11 overall.

I’m eager to get to this game. I have not seen Reading in a few years, but Coach Kerspilo has always been really helpful whenever I have covered his Rangers. I also will be getting another chance to see Coach Nate Lott from Stockbridge. When he was at Webberville, a few years ago, a real high point was when his Spartans won this Regional Final in 2021. This was Webberville’s first Regional Title in many years.

https://thebleacherdenizen.blogspot.com/2021/04/webberville-vs-colon-boys-regional.html

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you will enjoy this video of “Down South in New Orleans” which I just put up on my You Tube Channel a couple days ago. (When I am not writing “The Bleacher Denizen” I am a professional musician.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QUZ5FrpeFA

I got to the gym before the JV game so I had plenty of time to catch up with Coach Lott. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve seen, especially the way he relates to and cares about his players as people. His players really like playing for him and it shows on the court when they always give every last bit of hustle they have in them.

I was stoked to see that his assistants are his son, Nate Lott II and Riley Lewis, who are two of the best point guards I have seen in fifteen years of writing this blog.

Riley was one of the quickest dribblers ever; he could get to any spot on the floor any time he wanted to and there was little if anything the opponent could do about it – – even with their quickest defenders. He was an excellent shooter and decision maker, so his ability to get open any time, anywhere was a huge asset to his team.

Nate Lott II was an excellent athlete, but he really stood out in how well he understood the game and led his team. If they needed him to score, he scored and did it many ways. He was brilliant driving to the basket, but he also was a fine three point shooter. He had an amazing ability to get the ball to his teammates where they could quickly shoot and score.

It was great to have a chance to see and talk to these guys again!

It’s time to come back to the present. Coach Lott provided me with this information about his Panther players.

Shannon Henderson is 6’9″, very athletic and knows exactly how to use this talent to help his team. He is quick on his feet and his length makes it difficult to pass or shoot when he is anywhere near an opponent. He is a great rebounder. He also has great hands and catches passes well, so he is able to turn these passes into layups and dunks with relative ease. Just to be unfair, he is also a decent three point shooter.

Noah Sandecki is a great, athletic perimeter defender who is good slashing to the basket. Zac Rogozinski is a guard who rebounds and shoots the threeball well. Jacob Dalton runs the point for the Panthers. He is a solid perimeter defender who passes well and is a threat from the three point line.

Foster Pybus is a fine athlete who is tough slashing to the basket and can dunk the ball. Brock Rochow is a good post defender and rebounder who makes a lot of great passes and gets a lot of assists for someone who plays in the post.

Reading Coach Brett Kerspilo provided me with this information about his Ranger players.

Braydon Wright is the leading scorer; he averages 15 points and 6 rebounds and is a fine free throw shooter. Carter Bassage averages 9 points and 6.5 rebounds. He is a good midrange shooter. Peyton Fowler has a lot of heart. Even though he is frequently the smallest player on the court, he sometimes is the team’s leading rebounder.

Drew Elder plays in the post. He is an excellent passer who leads the team in assists. He defends well in the post and can score in there as well. Marco Bailey has a high basketball IQ and is a good leader who defends well. Peyton Green provides a lot of energy to the Ranger cause and is willing to guard anyone. Keven Denison is a good three point shooter.

Cayden Whinnie is a good rebounder and a solid shooter. Gavin McKibbin is a solid rebounder and athletic defender. Dayton Verity is a good shooter.

I watched the JV game. Stockbridge took control early and won the game by the final score of 48-23.

Will Elder had 9 points to lead the Reading JVs. Angler Riddle supported his teammate with 8 points. Connor Trott tossed in 3 points, Landon Rose scored 2 points and Dominic Burdo tallied 1 point.

Brendon Cordero led the victorious Stockbridge JVs with 14 points. Wesley Recchy contributed 9 points. Colton Romero tossed in 6 points. Andrew Ackeberg added 4 points. Lucas Heinzman and Collin Roberts chipped in with 3 points each. Drew Hayes, Koen Griffith, Tommy Bills and Terrence Cordero each had 2 points and Reid Johnson scored 1 point.

Vida Corona sang the national anthem before the game. She is a sophomore at Stockbridge High. She kept her pitch well and sang the song with confidence. Kudos!!!! As I’m a musician myself, I always love the chance to salute a musical job well done by a student!!

Let’s review the events of this game through the eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league in the days of yore when he was actually considered to be “young.” It seems that he and his coach had a disagreement about his passing game. While his coach insisted that he only pass to people wearing the same color shirt as he was wearing, the Bleacher Denizen felt that this stifled his creativity. The Coach kept complaining about “turnovers” and the Bleacher Denizen lost most of his playing time.

Reading wins the opening tap. The Rangers misfire on a triple try from the side. Stockbridge reciprocates and misfires on a triple try from the side. Noah Sandecki grabs the offensive rebound for the Panthers. Stockbridge misses a layup. The Panthers get the offensive rebound, but Brayden Wright steals the ball for the Rangers.

Noah Sandecki steals the ball for the Panthers. Stockbridge misses a fast break layup. Foster Pybus hits a putback and is fouled. He hits his free throw and Stockbridge leads 3-0 with 6:55 remaining in the opening quarter.

Zac Rogozinski ties up the ball to stop a Ranger shot. The Possession Arrow likes his amazing defense and awards the ball to the Panthers. Jacob Dalton passes to Zac Rogozinski, who throws in a threeball for Stockbridge. Shannon Henderson leaps and forces Reading to miss an eight foot shot in the lane. Stockbridge misses a three pointer from the wing.

Zac Rogozinski steals the ball for Stockbridge. Jacob Dalton drives the baseline and hits a layup for the Panthers. Noah Sandecki steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for the Panthers and they lead 10-0.

Reading misses a twelve foot shot from the side. Brayden Wright taps the ball away from Stockbridge and Carter Bassage picks it up for Reading. Reading misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Rangers get another opportunity. Shannon Henderson knocks the ball away from Reading and Zac Rogozinski picks it up for Stockbridge.

Stockbridge misfires on a triple try from the side. Zac Rogozinski ties up the ball to stop a fast break layup. While your Bleacher Denizen is amazing that he was able to block a shot this way, the Possession Arrow is polishing its coin collection and misses the play. The ball is awarded to Reading. Drew Elder hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw elbow to give Reading its first points of the day. Noah Sandecki hits a layup to give Stockbridge a 12-2 lead.

Zac Rogozinski and Jacob Dalton double team a Reading ball handler and force a double dribble violation. Brayden Wright knocks the ball away from Stockbridge, but the Panthers are able to recover. Brayden Wright blocks a Panther jump shot. Reading misses a threeball from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Rangers get another opportunity. Reading misses a three point shot from the side.

Brayden Wright knocks a Panther pass out of bounds; Stockbridge retains possession. Foster Pybus passes to Shannon Henderson, who dunks the ball for Stockbridge. Jacob Dalton steals the ball for the Panthers. Stockbridge misses a driving reverse layup. Reading misses a three point shot from the corner. Jacob Dalton passes to Zac Rogozinski, who hits a three point shot from the side to push the Panther lead to 17-2.

Reading misses a layup. Stockbridge misses a threeball from the side as the first quarter buzzer awakens and brings the opening quarter to a finish.

After one quarter, Stockbridge has a 17-2 lead.

Stockbridge inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. Jacob Dalton passes to Shannon Henderson, who hits a ten foot shot from the baseline for Stockbridge. Zac Rogozinski steals the ball for the Panthers. Zac Rogozinski inbounds the ball to Brock Rochow, who is fouled as he shoots a layup. Broch Rochow hits one of his two free throws to give Stockbridge a 20-2 lead with 7:32 to play in the second quarter.

Jacob Dalton knocks the ball away from Reading and Zac Rogozinski grabs it for Stockbridge. Brayden Wright blocks a Stockbridge six foot shot. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Reading takes possession. Foster Pybus steals a Reading pass. Jacob Dalton passes to Zac Rogozinski, who hits a three point shot from the top of the key for Stockbridge. Shannon Henderson blocks a Reading layup. Foster Pybus passes to Jacob Rochow, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws. With 6:05 remaining in the second quarter, Stockbridge has a 24-2 lead.

Noah Sandecki steals the ball for Stockbridge. Peyton Fowler returns the favor and steals the ball for Reading. Reading throws a pass out of bounds. Stockbridge reciprocates and throws a pass out of bounds. Reading misses a driving reverse layup. Cayden Whinnie knocks the ball away from Stockbridge and Marco Bailey picks it up for Reading. Reading misses a three point shot from the wing.

Drew Elder knocks the ball out of bounds to prevent a Stockbridge layup; Reading gets the ball. Shannon Henderson stands tall in the lane and forces a Reading dribbler to lose the ball out of bounds. Stockbridge misses a three point shot from the wing. Brock Rochow ties up the rebound.

The Possession Arrow is upset about chipping one of the coins in its collection, does not see the great hustle by Mr. Rochow and awards the ball to Reading. Drew Elder passes the ball to Cayden Whinnie, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to shave the Stockbridge lead to 24-4 with 3:26 left in the first half.

Peyton Fowler’s tough defense causes Stockbridge to lose the ball out of bounds. Reading misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Stockbridge is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses two free throws. Brock Rochow steals the ball and passes to Shannon Henderson, who slams the ball through the hoop for the Panthers. Reading misses a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. Jacob Dalton hits a fast break layup for Stockbridge to give his Panthers a 28-4 lead.

Drew Elder passes to Cayden Whinnie, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of his two free throws for Reading. Brock Rochow passes to Shannon Henderson, who hits a layup for the Panthers. Noah Sandecki steals the ball for Stockbridge and passes to Shannon Henderson who flushes the ball through the net for the Panthers to give them a 32-5 lead.

Reading throws a pass out of bounds. Stockbridge misses a layup. Drew Elder passes to Dayton Verity, who hits a layup for Reading. Stockbridge misses a three pointer from the wing. Foster Pybus hits a putback for Stockbridge. Reading misfires on a triple try from the side. Stockbridge misses a fast break layup. Jacob Dalton steals the ball and passes to Brock Rochow, who hits a layup to give Stockbridge a 36-7 lead.

Brock Rochow steals the ball and passes to Shannon Henderson, who hits a layup for the Panthers. Reading attempts a heave as time expires, but Shannon Henderson is there to block it.

Stockbridge takes a 38-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. If regular basketball procedures prevail, Stockbridge will also lead 38-7 at the start of the third quarter.

Shannon Henderson leads the Panthers with 12 points at halftime and Zac Rogozinski has 9 points.

Cayden Whinnie leads Reading with 3 points.

The third quarter is starting and your smug Bleacher Denizen is way too proud that he successfully predicted the third quarter opening quarter. He does manage to stop trying to pat himself on the back before he pulls every muscle in his shoulder.

Stockbridge ignores your Bleacher Denizen’s smugness and inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. Stockbridge misses a six foot shot in the lane. Reading misses a driving layup. Stockbridge misses a layup. Shannon Henderson hits a putback for the Panthers. Reading misses a three point shot from the wing. Stockbridge misses a driving layup. Shannon Henderson hits a putback to give Stockbridge a 42-11 lead.

Peyton Fowler passes to Brayden Wright, who hits a layup for Reading. Noah Sandecki throws in a threeball from the side for Stockbridge. Carter Bassage drives and hits a layup for Reading. Peyton Fowler steals the ball for the Rangers. Reading misses a fast break layup. Jacob Dalton drives and dishes the ball to Shannon Henderson, who hits a layup to boost the Panther lead to 47-11.

Reading throws a pass out of bounds. Peyton Fowler steals the ball for the Rangers. Reading misses a layup. Stockbridge misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Reading throws a pass out of bounds. Stockbridge misses a threeball from the top of the key. Zac Rogozinski gets the offensive rebound for the Panthers. Stockbridge misses a layup.

Shannon Henderson blocks a Reading layup. Drew Elder steals the ball for the Rangers. Noah Sandecki knocks a Ranger pass out of bounds; Reading gets the ball back. Reading misses a three pointer from the baseline. Payton Green gets the offensive rebound for the Rangers. Reading misses a jump shot. Noah Sandecki hits a fast break layup, is fouled and sinks his free throw to boost Stockbridge to a 50-11 lead with 2:55 to play in quarter number three.

Brock Rochow steals the ball for Stockbridge. A Panther dribbler loses the ball out of bounds. Reading misses a jump shot from the free throw elbow. Stockbridge misses a three point shot from the wing. Brock Rochow hits a putback to give Stockbridge a 52-11 lead.

Reading misses a threeball from the side. Zac Rogozinski passes to a Panther teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both his free throws. Shannon Henderson hits a putback for Stockbridge. Brock Rochow knocks the ball away from Reading and Zac Rogozinski picks it up for Stockbridge. Shannon Henderson finishes off a Stockbridge fast break with a dunk. Reading misses a three pointer from the wing as time expires.

At the end of three quarters, Stockbridge has a 56-11 lead.

Reading inbounds the ball to begin the final quarter. Reading misses a three point shot from the wing. Cayden Whinnie gets the offensive rebound for the Rangers. Shannon Henderson blocks a Reading baseline jump shot. Stockbridge misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Reading takes possession.

Brendon Cordero steals the ball for Stockbridge. Stockbridge misses a three pointer from the corner. Jacob Dalton nearly steals the ball for Stockbridge, but kicks the ball as he does it, so the ball goes back to Reading. Reading misses a layup. Stockbridge misses a sixteen foot shot from the baseline. Reading misses an eighteen foot shot from the side. Payton Fowler grabs the offensive rebound for the Rangers. Carter Bassage hits a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the baseline for Reading. Noah Sandecki throws in a threeball from the corner to give Stockbridge a 59-13 lead.

Reading misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Carter Bassage hits a putback for the Rangers. Jacob Dalton passes to Shannon Henderson, who proves he is not merely a dunker as he hits a threeball from the side for Stockbridge. Reading misses a three point shot from the side. Stockbridge misses a three pointer from the top of the key. Shannon Henderson tips the ball away from Reading and Brendon Cordero picks it up for Stockbridge. Stockbridge misses a driving layup. Shannon Henderson hits a putback to give Stockbridge a 64-15 lead.

Terrence Cordero knocks the ball away from Reading, but the Rangers recover. Reading misses a three point shot from the wing. Stockbridge throws a pass out of bounds. Landon Rose is fouled on a jump shot from the free throw elbow. He hits two free throws for Reading. Keven Denison steals the ball for Reading and is fouled. He hits one of his two free throws. With 7.2 seconds to play, Stockbridge has a 64-18 lead.

Reading inbounds the ball because the foul was ruled to be intentional. The Rangers miss a three point shot from the top of the key as the game comes to a conclusion.

Stockbridge wins by the final score of 64-18.

Carter Bassage had 6 points to lead the Reading scoring. Cayden Whinnie totaled 3 points. Peyton Fowler, Dayton Verity, Drew Elder and Landon Rose each had 2 points. Keven Denison tallied 1 point.

Shannon Henderson hit everything from dunks to three point baskets as he led all scorers in the game with 27 points for Stockbridge. Noah Sandecki joined his teammate in double figures with 11 points. Zac Rogozinski poured in 9 points. Brock Rochow and Jacob Dalton each added 6 points. Foster Pybus contributed 5 points.