Bellevue vs. Lansing Christian – – MHSAA Girls District Basketball Semifinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 5, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen is in Potterville to watch the two District Girls Basketball Semifinal Games. In the first game of the evening, Portland St. Patrick played Potterville. Here is the play by play of that game. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2025/03/06/portland-st-patrick-vs-potterville-girls-district-basketball-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-march-4-2025-by-chuck-krafft/

In the second game this evening, Lansing Christian will play Bellevue. Bellevue’s Broncos have a 10-11 record this season, while Lansing Christian’s Pilgrims are at 16-6.

As I’ve seen Lansing Christian play earlier this year, I have some information about their players that was provided by Coach Jason Salsbury.

Lydia Brogan is an excellent all-around player who has the skills needed to help out at any position in any situation. She is quick and agile enough to defend the perimeter well and she is tall enough to defend in the post. She is extremely athletic and frequently overwhelms opponents when she drives to the basket. She can also hit shots from the three point line.

Ava Mustapha is a fierce perimeter defender who is tough to stop on slashes to the basket. Alyssa Shank is an active, aggressive perimeter defender who runs the point on offense. She can slash to the basket to score and also has a solid three point shot. Sophia Carrillo is the Pilgrim post presence. She is a fine rebounder and makes life tough near the basket for opposing scorers.

Natalie Adams uses her quickness to defend the perimeter. Esther Lee has effective post moves for scoring near the basket. Sophia Hazelton is a strong three point shooter. Juliette Tallon is an aggressive perimeter defender. Payton Korrey can hit the three point shot. Abbi Pelle defends the post well and has an impressive basketball IQ. She is never out of position on offense or on defense. Grace Reusser, who is an excellent shot blocker and post defender is not able to play tonight because of an injury.

I learned before the game that Lydia Brogan recently sustained an ankle injury and may not be able to play tonight. She did not start the game.

Bellevue Coach Leslie Greenfield provided me with this information about his Bronco players.

Elizabeth Odette runs the point for the Broncos. She is a fine ball handler and passer; she sets the pace for the Bronco offense. She is also a solid perimeter defender who can score on slashes to the basket or shots from the three point line. Alivia Endsley is a forward for the Broncos. She is quite speedy and scores a lot of fast break baskets. She is also a fine rebounder with great hands.

Alexandria plays in the post where she is a tough defender and good rebounder. She is a good free throw shooter, scores a lot on putbcks and is a team leader. Addison VanSickle is a tough perimeter defender who has a lot of quickness and plays with a lot of heart. Jennifer Castaneda plays solid perimeter defense. RyAnn Goodrich is a fine rebounder and defender in the post. She blocks a lot of shots for the Broncos. McKinlee Mahan is a good ball handler. Elle Pompey has an accurate three point shot.

It is now time to review 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 hoop in the days of yore. While he was showing some promise as a fast break scorer, everything changed when the basketball powers that be ruled he was no longer allowed to use a rocket belt to speed him up on fast breaks. When he lost this advantage, all his fast break scoring skills fell apart and his playing time suffered.

Christian wins the opening tap. Jennifer Castaneda steals the ball for the Broncos. Natalie Adams steals the ball for Christian. Christian misses a threeball from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Broncos take possession. Natalie Adams attacks a Bronco dribbler from behind and nearly steals the ball, but Bellevue hangs on to it. Jennifer Castaneda passes to Alivia Endsley, who hits an eight foot banked shot from the side to give Bellevue a 2-0 lead.

Alivia Endsley steals the ball for the Broncos. Bellevue misses a layup. Alyssa Shank passes to Sophie Hazelton, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Christian the lead. Bellevue travels on a post move. Natalie Adams passes to Alyssa Shank, who hits a three pointer from the side to give Christian a 6-2 lead.

Sophie Hazelton knocks the inbound pass out of bounds; Bellevue retains possession. Ava Mustapha knocks the Bronco inbound pass out of bounds; Bellevue retains possession. Ava Mustapha knocks the ball away from the Broncos and Natalie Adams picks it up for the Pilgrims. Alyssa Shank is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to give Christian a 7-2 lead with 5:35 remaining in the opening quarter.

Alyssa Shank knocks a Bronco pass out of bounds; Bellevue retains possession. Bellevue is whistled for a traveling violation. Christian misses a layup. The ball wedges between the backboard and the rim. Your Bleacher Denizen is eager to dash on to the court and use his spectacular leaping ability to knock the ball loose. But no one will ever ask!! You would think that they consider me “Too Old to Cut the Mustard” like I am in this video from my You Tube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6GOgZAHqxI

The officials get the ball down in the pedestrian way by throwing a basketball. (I still say my method would be far more exciting!!) The Possession Arrow is working a shift at the local diner and takes time from cleaning up a dropped tray to award the ball to Bellevue.

The Broncos are whistled for a traveling violation. Sophie Hazelton takes a hard dribble and hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for Christian. Bellevue misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Christian misses a threeball from the side and fouls on the rebound. Bellevue misses a layup. Alivia Endsley snares the offensive rebound for the Broncos. Bellevue misses a three point shot from the side. Elizabeth Odette steals the ball for the Broncos. She is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Christian lead to 9-3 with 3:03 to play in the opening quarter.

Christian is fouled and misses the original two free throws plus an additional free throw caused by a Bronco lane violation. Sophia Carrillo pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Alexandria Mitchell blocks a Christian layup. Christian recovers the loose ball. The Pilgrims misfire on a threeball from the wing. Esther Lee grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow finishes taking a telephone order and awards the ball to Christian.

Christian misses a threeball from the corner. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow is stunned by the buzzer, breaks a stack of plates and quickly awards the ball to Bellevue so it can clean up. Ava Mustapha knocks the Bronco inbound pass out of bounds; Bellevue gets another opportunity. Ava Mustapha steals the Bronco inbound pass. Christian travels on a baseline drive to the hoop. Ava Mustapha steals the ball for the Pilgrims.

Christian misses a jump shot from the free throw line.. Bellevue fouls on the rebound. Christian misses a layup. Esther Lee pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a threeball from the side. Esther Lee grabs another offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Alivia Endsley sterals the ball for the Broncos. Alyssa Shank steals the ball from the Pilgrims. Christian loses a pass out of bounds. Ava Mustapha knocks the Bronco inbound pass out of bounds.

Bellevue is assessed with a traveling violation. Christian throws a pass out of bounds. Alyssa Shank dives to tie up the ball. The Possession Arrow is taking a break after frosting a birthday cake and trying to get melted ice cream to freeze back up so it can be served. It awards the ball to Christian. RyAnn Goodrich blocks a Christian layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Christian takes possession.

Juliett Tallon drives from the side and hits a layup for Christian. Alyssa Shank steals a Bronco pass. Christian missers a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian gets another opportunity with just 1.2 seconds to play in the quarter. Alyssa Shank inbounds the ball to Ava Mustapha, who hits a layup for Christian as the buzzer blares.

After one quarter, Lansing Christian has a 13-3 lead.

Bellevue inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. Elizabeth Odette passes to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses both her free throws. Alexandria Mitchell pulls down the offensive rebound for the Broncos. Bellevue misses a triple try from the side. Christian misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Sophia Carrillo gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. RyAnn Goodrich blocks a Christian layup. The loose ball is tied up. The Possession Arrow sets down a tray of ice cream treats and awards the ball to Christian.

Alexandria Mitchell blocks a Christian layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Bellevue takes possession. Natalie Adams attacks a Bronco dribbler from behind and knocks the ball out of bounds. Bellevue retains possession. Bellevue misses a ten foot shot from the side of the lane. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian takes possession. Alexandria Mitchell blocks a Christian layup. Ava Mustapha steals the ball for Christian and hits a layup to give her Pilgrims a 15-3 lead.

Bellevue is whistled for a traveling violation. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Esther Lee hits a putback for the Pilgrims. Ava Mustapha steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Christian misses an eight foot shot from the side; the rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow is listening to two tables shouting for water and quickly gives the ball to Bellevue so it can focus on its diners. Natalie Adams gets her hand on the ball and knocks it out of bounds; Christian retains possession.

Bellevue misses a layup. Alexandria Mitchell blocks a Christian fast break layup. Ava Mustapha dives and knocks the ball out of bounds; Bellevue retains possession. Alyssa Shank steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Jennifer Castaneda knocks the ball away from Christian, but the Pilgrims recover. Christian misfires on a triple try from the side and fouls on the rebound.

Sophia Carrillo knocks the ball away from Bellevue and Juliette Tallon picks it up for Christian. Christian misses a layup. Sophia Carrillo pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a threeball from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Bellevue takes possession. The Broncos miss a fifteen foot shot from the side. Alivia Endsley hits a putback for Bellevue and is fouled. She makes her free throw to trim the Christian lead to 17-6 with 3:19 remaining in the first half.

A Christian pass receiver steps on the sideline. Jennifer Castaneda passes to Alivia Endsley, who hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow for Bellevue. Ava Mustapha drives and dishes the ball to Sophie Hazelton, who hits a layup for the Pilgrims. Bellevue commits an offensive foul. Christian misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Esther Lee is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws to give Christian a 20-8 lead with 2:02 left in the opening half.

Bellevue is fouled, but misses two free throws. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Lael Ritter grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Elizabeth Odette is fouled and hits two free throws to trim the Christian lead to 20-10 with 1:35 remaining in the half.

Jennifer Castaneda knocks the ball away from the Pilgrims and RyAnn Goodrich grabs it for the Broncos. Bellevue misses a layup. Alexandria Mitchell pulls down the offensive rebound for the Broncos. Elizabeth Odette is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Pilgrim lead to 20-11 with 58.5 seconds left on the first half clock.

Alexandria Mitchell gets the offensive rebound for the Broncos. Bellevue misses a layup. Alyssa Shank is fouled and hits two free throws for Christian. Bellevue misses a three pointer from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Broncos get another opportunity. Bellevue misses a ten foot shot from the side. Alexandria Mitchell gets the offensive rebound for the Broncos. Bellevue misses a layup. Alexandria Mitchell blocks a Christian layup. Bellevue does not have time to shoot before the second quarter buzzer announces its presence.

At halftime, Christian has a 22-11 lead. As I have covered a lot of basketball games over these last fifteen seasons, I predict that when the third quarter starts, Christian will continue to hold a 22-11 lead.

Alivia Endsley has 7 points for Bellevue at halftime and Elizabeth Odette has 4 points.

Sophie Hazelton has 7 points to lead Christian and Alyssa Shank has 6 points. Ava Mustapha has 4 points.

As the third quarter is getting ready to start, your Bleacher Denizen is proud to note that Christian’s lead is still at 22-11!!! Your Bleacher Denizen gets too excited and several fans have to restrain him to avoid pulling all his shoulder muscles while trying to pat himself on the back.

Christian inbounds the ball to start out quarter number three. The Pilgrims miss a jump shot from the free throw line. Ava Mustapha grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Sophie Hazelton knocks the ball away from Bellevue and creates a scramble for the ball. In the scramble, a Pilgrim player inadvertently kicks the ball and it is turned back to Bellevue. Christian’s defense prevents Bellevue from inbounding the ball in the required five seconds and the Broncos turn it over.

Christian fumbles a pass out of bounds. Sophia Carrillo knocks a long inbound pass by Bellevue out of bounds; Bellevue retains possession. Addison VanSickle passes to Alivia Endsley, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for Bellevue to trim the Pilgrim lead to 22-13.

Christian is whistled for a traveling violation. Christian’s best player, Lydia Brogan enters the game. She looks a bit hindered by her ankle; we will see how she is able to play. Alyssa Shank knocks a Bronco pass out of bounds; Bellevue retains possession. Bellevue misses a layup. Christian misses an eight footer from the baseline. Alyssa Shank inbounds the ball to Lydia Brogan, who hits a layup for Christian. Alyssa Shank steals the ball and passes to Lydia Brogan, who hits a layup to extend the Christian lead to 26-13.

Bellevue commits an offensive foul. Christian is assessed with a traveling violation. Alyssa Shank steals a Bronco pass. Christian misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. Juliette Tallon hits a putback for the Pilgrims. Elizabeth Odette is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to trim the Christian lead to 28-15 with 4:43 left in quarter number three.

Esther Lee passes to Natalie Adams, who is fouled on a fifteen foot shot from the side. Natalie Adams hits one of her two free throws for the Pilgrims. Bellevue misses a driving layup. Christian misses a ten footer from the baseline. Esther Lee blocks a Bronco layup.

Ava Mustapha is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of her two free throws for the Pilgrims. Esther Lee hits a putback for Christian. RyAnn Goodrich hits a fast break layup for Bellevue. RyAnn Goodrich steals the ball for the Broncos. Elizabeth Odette is fouled on a twelve foot shot from the side. She hits one of her two free throws to shave the Christian lead to 32-18 with 3:10 to play in quarter number three.

Christian misses a threeball from the side. Ava Mustapha knocks the ball out of bounds; Bellevue gets the ball back. Bellevue is whistled for carrying the ball. RyAnn Goodrich and Alexandria Mitchell double team a Christian player in the lane and force a traveling violation. Elizabeth Odette is fouled and hits two free throws for Bellevue to bring her Broncos to within twelve points at 32-20 with 2:17 remaining in quarter number three.

Christian misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. The rebound goes out of bounds and Bellevue gets the ball. Lydia Brogan steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for the Pilgrims. Ava Mustapha knocks the ball away from Bellevue and Lydia Brogan picks it up for Christian. Lydia Brogan is fouled and hits two free throws to give Christian a 36-20 lead with 1:31 to go in quarter number three.

(Lydia Brogan has scored 8 points on a recovering ankle while playing less than a quarter so far!)

Esther Lee blocks a Bronco layup. Christian misses a layup. Esther Lee grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Alyssa Shank hits a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side for Christian. Christian steals the ball on the press and Lydia Brogan hits a fast break layup. Alyssa Shank forces a Bronco dribbler to step on the baseline. Natalie Adams is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Christian with 7.9 seconds to play. Natalie Adams knocks the ball away from the Broncos and no one recovers it before the quarter ends.

With three quarters in the books, Christian has a 41-20 lead.

The Broncos inbound the ball to open the final quarter. Bellevue misses a twelve foot shot in the lane. Christian loses the ball out of bounds. Kylie Damesworth harasses a Bellevue dribbler and the Broncos lose the ball out of bounds. Christian drives and dishes the ball out of bounds. Elizabeth Odette drives from the side and hits a layup to trim the Christian lead to 41-22.

Elizabeth Odette knocks the ball away from Christian; Bellevue fouls trying to retrieve the ball. Christian is whistled for a traveling violation. Elizabeth Odette reacts quickly to save the Bronco inbound pass. Alyssa Shank steals the ball for the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims travel. (Isn’t that what they do???) The Broncos travel. Christian misses a ten foot shot from the side. Sophie Hazelton pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims.

Christian misses a fifteen foot shot from the side. Kylie Damesworth grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian loses the ball out of bounds. Sophie Hazelton blocks a Bronco layup and forces a tieup in the porcess. The Possession Arrow is trying to clean up a spilled banana split; it quickly awards the ball to Christian and gets back to work. Christian misses a three point shot from the wing. Sophia Carrillo gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims.

Christian misses a threeball from the side. Kylie Damesworth pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian is whistled for a traveling violation. Sophie Hazelton steals a tipped Bronco pass. Christian misses a driving layup. Ava Mustapha gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a fifteen foot shot from the side and fouls on the rebound. Bellevue misses a drivin layup. Ava Mustapha drives and hits a layup to give Christian a 43-22 lead.

Elizabeth Odette passes to Alivia Endsley, who hits a layup for the Broncos. Lael Ritter drives and banks in a six foot shot from the side for Christian. Elizabeth Odette passes to Elle Pompey, who hits a fifteen foot shot from the side for the Broncos. Christian misses a jump shot. Ava Mustapha knocks the ball out of bounds; Bellevue retains possession. Sophia Carrillo knocks the ball away from the Broncos and Lael Ritter picks it up for the Pilgrims. Juliette Tallon passes to Lael Ritter, who hits a layup to push the Christian lead to 47-26.

Bellevue misses a driving layup. Alivia Endsley grabs the offensive rebound for the Broncos. Bellevue misses a layup. Christian misses a layup. Makenna Bush hits a putback to give Christian a 49-26 lead.

Abbi Pelle steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Addison VanSickle steals the ball for the Broncos. Bellevue misses a threeball from the side and gets the offensive rebound. The Broncos miss an eighteen foot shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian takes possession. RyAnn Goodrich blocks a Christian layup. Christian recovers the loose ball. The Pilgrims miss a three pointer from the side. Bellevue misses a short jump shot. Christian dribbles out the clock.

Christian wins this game by a 49-26 score and will play St. Patrick in Friday’s final game.

The Broncos’ Elizabeth Odette and Alivia Endsley each had 11 points to lead all scorers. RyAnn Goodrich and Elle Pompey each tallied 2 points.

Lydia Brogan barely played a quarter and led Christian with 10 points. Alyssa Shank supported her teammate with 8 points. Ava Mustapha and Sophie Hazelton each pitched in with 7 points. Esther Lee tossed in 5 points. Juliette Tallon and Lael Ritter each contributed 4 points. Makenna Bush and Natalie Adams each added 2 points.