Saranac at Lansing Christian – – CMAC Boys Basketball Game of the Week – – The Bleacher Denizen – – December 17, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Today, your Bleacher Denizen will drive the entire mile between his home and Lansing Christian School to blog the game between the host Pilgrims and the Red Hawks from Saranac. Lansing Christian brings a 2-2 overall record into this game and Saranac is at 1-3. One of these teams will win its first CMAC game of the season tonight.

I saw Saranac play Perry last week. Coach Kellen Smith provided me with this information about his Red Hawk players.

Brody Stanton, a returning starter from last year, runs the point where he is a fine ball handler and passer who slashes to the basket well. He is also a strong perimeter defender. Landin Barker and Kolten Janse provide good defense, rugged rebounding and scoring in the post. Kolten Janse can also step out to shoot from the three point line. Logan Haller is a determined perimeter defender.

John Sterzick provides the Red Hawks with solid three point shooting. Rejz Conner comes off the bench; he provides quickness and the ability to score either on slashes to the basket or shots from the three point line. Cole Reagan is a good three point shooter. Eric Lake is an energetic defender who can play in the post or on the perimeter.

Lansing Christian Coach Grayson Fuller provided me with this information about his Pilgrim players.

Charlie Baker is a versatile player who provides a big presence in the post where he defends, rebounds and scores well, but also helps with ball handling and can hit the three point shot. Noah Bruno is a quick shooting guard who can hit the three point shot; he also passes and handles the ball well. Sam Mustapha is a great perimeter defender from his point guard position. He is a solid ball handler who is a threat to score on slashes to the basket.

Jack Crawford is a calm, collected player who always hustles, rebounds well and provides a solid three point shot to the Pilgrims. Cole Crawford is a versatile player who can defend on the perimeter or in the post, where he is a good scorer. Jack Bajema is a fine rebounder and defender in the post. Maddox Mosley has a nice three point shot.

Luke Meyer, who is an energetic perimeter defender and Ben Rottman, a fine, versatile scorer who can hit three point shots, rebound and slash to the basket are both sick and unable to play tonight.

In tonight’s Freshman game, Saranac won 48-41.

Eli Mosley led the Lansing Christian with 13 points. Christian Heinlein supported him with 10 points. Adam Buchinger chipped in with 8 points. Mark Van Drie put in 4 points. Evan Cowper scored 3 points. Henry Marl had 2 points and Eli Zajicek tallied 1 point.

Maverick Blough led the Red Hawk Freshmen with 21 points. Luke Miles joined his teammate in double figures with 12 points. Carter Lake scored 8 points. Urijah Perow added 4 points and Preston Rozema scored 3 points.

I got to the game in time to see most of the JV game. Saranac took a 13-8 lead after one quarter when Jacob Bush beat the buzzer with a three quarter court shot that went in. In the second quarter, Christian outscored Saranac 13-5 to take a 21-18 halftime lead. Saranac outscored Christian 19-11 in the third quarter and led 37-32 going into the final quarter.

Saranac scored the first few points of the fourth quarter, but Christian came back and got within four points at 41-37 with a little over four minutes left on an eight foot shot off the dribble by Jamin Block. Austin Haller hit a layup about a minute later to put Saranac up by six. Justus Vierling scored a fast break layup to bring Christian back within four shortly after. Austin Haller hit another layup for the Red Hawks.

Christian got to within three points at 45-42 when Jamin Block passed to Justus Vierling, who banked in a threeball near the top of the key with 52 seconds left on the clock. After Levi Warner hit one free throw for Saranac and Jamin Block hit two for Lansing Christian, Damion Gooden then hit four consecutive free throws (on two fouls) to give Saranac a 50-44 lead with 24 seconds left. Saranac scored one more free throw by Dionne Giles and won the JV game 51-44.

Jamin Block led the Pilgrim JVs with 12 points. Justus Vierling joined his teammate in double figures with 11. Ben VanderGalien supported his teammates with 8 points. Elijah Bajema added 5 points. Jameson Crawford and Bronson Tracy each scored 3 points. Cole Sendow tallied 2 points.

Jacob Bush led the victorious Red Hawk JVs with 11 points. Damion Gooden, Levi Warner and Jakob Dodge each scored 9 points. Austin Haller put in 6 points and Dionne Giles added 5 points. Ethan Bollone put in 2 points.

While we wait for the varsity game to start, I hope you will enjoy this rendition of “O Tannenbaum” sung in German from my You Tube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=443EYOrZw0w

Before the varsity game, Lansing Christian Alums Abbi Pelle and Cameron Damesworth did a beautiful duet of the National Anthem. Your Bleacher Denizen loved the performance!!

It is now time to review the events of this game through the hopefully clear perspective of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to hoop in the days of yore. It seems that he was never able to realize that when his coach talked of his “Matador Defense”, he was not being complimentary. It especially annoyed his coach when the Bleacher Denizen would wave his hand and yell “Ole!!” as his opponent dribbled past him and into the lane.

Saranac wins the opening tap, but the tap goes out of bounds before any of the Red Hawks can retrieve it, so Lansing Christian has the game’s first possession. Christian misses a driving layup. Charlie Baker pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Charlie Baker hits a putback to give Christian the first two points of the game.

Jack Crawford hits the floor to steal the ball for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Cole Crawford pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses an eight foot shot from the baseline. John Sterzick passes to Kolten Janse, who hits a three pointer from the top of the key to give Saranac a 3-2 lead.

Christian misses a driving ten foot banked hook from the side. Saranac is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian takes possession. John Sterzick ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow loves his hustle and awards the ball to Saranac. Charlie Baker gets his hand on the ball, but Saranac is able to recover. Brody Stanton drives the baseline and is fouled on a layup. He hits two free throws to give Saranac a 5-2 lead with 4:40 remaining in the opening quarter.

Noah Bruno passes to Jack Crawford, who throws in a threeball from the corner for Christian to tie the game. John Sterzick passes to Logan Haller, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Saranac. Christian misses a layup. Saranac reciprocates and misses a layup. The Crawford Connection comes through for the Pilgrims as Jack passes to his brother Cole, who hits a three point shot from the wing to tie the game at 8-8.

Saranac loses a pass out of bounds. Sam Mustapha passes to Noah Bruno, who hits a three pointer from the wing to give Christian the lead. Jack Crawford gets his hand on a Red Hawk pass, but Saranac is able to recover. The Red Hawks misfire on a triple try from the wing. Cole Crawford passes to Sam Mustapha, who hits a layup to give Christian a 13-8 lead.

Saranac misses a threeball from the side. Kolten Janse gets the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a layup. John Sterzick steals a Pilgrim pass. A Red Hawk pass into the lane sails out of bounds. Landin Barker blocks a Christian layup. There is a scramble for the loose ball and neither team can corral the ball before the first quarter buzzer decides to end the period.

After one quarter, Lansing Christian has a 13-8 lead.

Christian inbounds the ball to start the second quarter. Jack Crawford alertly saves a loose ball from turning into a Pilgrim turnover. Jack Crawford passes to Sam Mustapha, who hits a six foot shot from the baseline for Christian. Saranac misses a layup. The Pilgrims lose a pass out of bounds. The Red Hawks miss a layup. Cole Crawford passes to Noah Bruno, who slings a threeball through the hoop from the side to give Christian an 18-8 lead.

Jack Crawford steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Christian throws a pass out of bounds. Saranac misses a sixteen foot shot from the baseline. Christian misses a three point shot from the wing. Rejz Conner hits a threeball from the side for Saranac to stop a ten point Christian scoring run. Christian misses a driving layup. Saranac reciprocates and misses a driving layup. Kolten Janse knocks the ball out of bounds; Christian gets the ball back. Noah Bruno passes to Charlie Baker, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws to push Christian to a 20-11 lead with 4:07 left in the first half.

Maddox Mosley steals the ball for Christian. Christian misses a fast break layup, but Charlie Baker hits a putback for the Pilgrims. Saranac is called for a traveling violation. Jack Crawford passes to Charlie Baker, who hits a layup for Christian. Saranac misses a layup. Rejz Conner steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for Saranac. Christian misses a three pointer from the wing. Charlie Baker hits a putback to give Christian a 26-13 lead.

Brody Stanton passes to Logan Haller, who is cutting to the basket; he hits a layup for the Red Hawks. Landin Barker steals the ball for the Red Hawks. Charlie Baker forces Saranac to lose the ball out of bounds under the basket. Eric Lake steals a Pilgrim pass. Saranac misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Christian misses a layup. Rejz Conner passes to Landin Barker, who hits a layup for the Red Hawks. Christian misses a long heave as the buzzer sounds.

Lansing Christian has a 26-17 halftime lead.

Logan Haller and Rejz Conner each have 5 points to lead the Saranac scoring at halftime.

Noah Bruno and Charlie Baker each have 8 points for Lansing Christian.

I hope you will enjoy a couple Christmas songs from my You Tube Channel for your halftime entertainment.

“O Holy Night” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-t_hOWhFfE&list=PLSir_FEyxp2dcsGpojJmgrPExHStd5u22

“Ich Lag Und Schlief” (a German choral Christmas carol) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgCQdBGfNGs&list=PLSir_FEyxp2dcsGpojJmgrPExHStd5u22&index=13

I hope you enjoyed the halftime music!!

Saranac inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. The Red Hawks miss a six footer in the lane. Christian misses a threeball from the top of the key. Saranac misses a threeball from the corner. John Sterzick ties up the ball for the Red Hawks. The Possession Arrow is busy updating its stamp collection and misses the play; the ball is awarded to Christian. Christian throws a pass behind the intended receiver and it sails out of bounds.

Saranac misses a threeball from the wing. Kolten Janse gets the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a layup. Kolten Janse gets another offensive rebound for Saranac. The Red Hawks are fouled on a putback and miss two free throws. Noah Bruno inbounds the ball to Sam Mustapha, who hits a layup to boost Christian to a 28-17 lead.

Saranac misses a layup. Kolten Janse gets the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a layup. Christian fouled on the rebound. Kolten Janse passes to John Sterzick, who hits a three point shot from the side for the Red Hawks. Cole Crawford passes to Noah Bruno, who hits a layup to give the Pilgrims a 30-20 lead.

Saranac misses a three point shot near the top of the key and fouls on the rebound. Christian loses a bounce pass out of bounds. Eric Lake hits a layup for the Red Hawks. Logan Haller steals the ball for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a jump shot, but Eric Lake hits a putback to cut the Pilgrim lead to 30-24.

Christian misses a threeball from the wing. John Sterzick hits a fifteen foot shot off the dribble from the side for Saranac. Brody Stanton knocks the ball away from Christian and John Sterzick picks it up for Saranac. Brody Stanton drives and dishes the ball to Eric Lake, who hits a layup for Saranac. Eric Lake steals the ball for the Red Hawks to prevent a Pilgrim layup. Saranac misses a threeball from the corner. Eric Lake (who else?) hits a putback to complete a Saranac ten point scoring run and tie the game at 30-30.

Christian misses a three point shot from the corner. Noah Bruno pulls down the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a driving eight foot banked shot. Jack Bojema gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Noah Bruno inbounds the ball to Cole Crawford, who is cutting to the basket and hits a layup to give Christian a 32-30 lead.

Rejz Conner passes to Landin Barker, who hits a tough layup in traffic for Saranac to tie the game. Eric Lake and Brody Stanton team up to tie up the ball for the Red Hawks. The Possession Arrow and the others in the stamp collecting club are impressed by the hustle and award the ball to Saranac. The Red Hawks miss a layup. Lansing Christian misses a long heave as quarter number three comes to an end.

After three quarters, this game is tied at 32-32.

Christian inbounds the ball to start out the fourth quarter. Jack Crawford is fouled on a twelve foot shot from the side nine seconds into the quarter and hits one of his two free throws to give Christian the lead. Sarana misses a layup. Kolten Janse grabs the offensive rebound for the Red Hawks. Saranac misses a layup. Christian fouls on the rebound. Brody Stanton passes to Landin Barker, who hits an eight foot shot in the lane to give Saranac a 34-33 lead.

Saranac’s fierce defense prevents Christian from crossing the mid court line in the required ten seconds and the Red Hawks get the ball. Sam Mustapha knocks the ball away from Saranac and Noah Bruno picks it up for Christian. Cole Crawford hits a three point shot from the wing to give Christian a two point lead. John Sterzik passes to Landin Barker, who hits a layup for Saranac to tie the game at 36-36.

John Sterzik gets his hand on the ball. The Pilgrims recover, but have to call time out to avoid turning the ball over for not crossing mid court in ten seconds. A Christian traveling violation negates a reverse layup. Saranac missed a layup and fouls on the rebound. Jack Crawford hits a layup to give Christian a two point lead. Brody Stanton drives and dishes the ball to Landin Barker, who is fouled on a layup and hits two free throws for Saranac to tie the game at 38-38 with 4:59 to play in the fourth quarter.

Christian misses a driving layup. Cole Crawford gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian throws a pass out of bounds. Eric Lake passes to Landin Barker, who hits a layup to give Saranac a two point lead. Brody Stanton steals the ball and hits a layup for Saranac to give the Red Hawks a 42-38 lead.

Christian misses a layup. Cole Crawford blocks a Saranac layup. Christian loses the ball out of bounds. Brody Stanton passes to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses his free throws. Noah Bruno drives and hits a layup for Christian. He is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 2:59 left on the clock, Saranac has a 42-40 lead.

Christian fouls on the rebound from the missed free throw. Brody Stanton passes to Landin Barker, who hits another layup for Saranac. Charlie Baker drives and dishes the ball to Jack Crawford, who hits a layup for the Pilgrims to cut the Red Hawk lead to 44-42.

Cole Crawford gets his hand on the ball and Saranac has to call time out to prevent a turnover. Sam Mustpha gets his hand on a Red Hawk pass into the lane and it goes out of bounds; Saranac retains possession. Landin Barker is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give his Red Hawks a 45-42 lead with 1:14 remaining in the contest.

Christian loses the ball, but Saranac knocks it out of bounds, so the Pilgrims get it back. John Sterzick gets a hand on the ball, but the Pilgrims are able to recover. Christian misfires on a triple try from the corner. Saranac is fouled on the rebound, but misses two free throws. Eric Lake steals the ball for the Red Hawks. Brody Stanton is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give Saranac a 46-42 lead with 22.2 seconds to go.

Eric Lake ties up the rebound. The Possession Arrow decides to give the ball to Saranac. John Sterzick is fouled and hits two more free throws for Saranac. Christian misses a three pointer from the wing. Eric Lake is fouled and hits one of his two free throws with just 9.7 seconds to play. Christian misses a three point shot and the buzzer ends the game.

Saranac wins this game by the final score of 49-42.

Noah Bruno led the Lansing Christian scoring with 12 points. Jack Crawford, Cole Crawford and Charlie Baker each contributed 8 points. Sam Mustapha scored 6 points.

Landin Barker erupted for thirteen points in the fourth quarter and led Saranac with 15 points. Eric Lane supported him with 9 points. John Sterzick scored 7 points. Logan Haller, Rejz Conner and Brody Stanton each added 5 points. Kolten Janse tossed in 3 points.