Swan Valley at Frankenmuth – – Girls Basketball – – The Bleacher Denizen – – December 19, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen has pointed the BleacherDenizenMobile at Frankenmuth, his Alma Mater, where the hometown Eagles will host the Vikings from Saginaw Valley. Frankenmuth enters this game with a 2-1 record, while Swan Valley is at 1-2.

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

I saw Frankenmuth’s girls a couple weeks ago and Coach Joe Jacobs gave me the following information about his Eagle players.

Macy Donovan is a tall guard who is a good defender in the post or on the perimeter. She handles the ball and passes well. She is also a versatile scorer who can slash to the basket or score from the three point line. Grace Brenner is in her third year of starting as the Eagle point guard. She is a ferocious perimeter defender who leads the team and handles the ball well.

Addie Bickel brings a fine outside shot and a nice basketball IQ to the Eagles. She defends the perimeter well. Lucy Conzelmann excels with her on-ball defense and also has a strong basketball IQ. Miranda Polley defends and rebounds well in the post. Nyla Sholten was the team’s scoring leader in the game I saw against Portland with 17 points; she showed a nice three point shot while doing it.

Swan Valley Coach Kelly Miller provided this information about her Viking players.

Shiloh Charboneau is a senior leader who is a fine perimeter defender and a threat from the three point line. Makayla Taylor is a four year varsity player who excels on perimeter defense. She has an accurate three point shot and also scores on slashes to the basket. Olivia Horwath is a versatile player who can guard opponents in the post or on the perimeter. She is a rugged rebounder.

Gabby Miller is a freshman point guard who is a creative ball handler and passer. MaryGrace Luplow is a versatile player who can defend well in the post or on the perimeter. She scores well in the post and is also a threat from the three point line. Emilie McNeil is a speedy, energetic perimeter defender. Kaydence Walsh is tough post defender and rebounded who sets screens well and helps to keep the offense running.

Greer Diefenbach is a speedy, energetic perimeter defender. Olivia Randall and Chloe Bryce are injured and unavailable for tonight’s game.

Of course Ken Redford is hear to lend his steady voice to announcing the game. He is so smooth that you might think he has TV newscasting experience!!

It is now time to review the events of this game through the somewhat accurate lenses of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was not able to escape church league when he attempted to play basketball during the ancient times when he was considered to be “young.” The Bleacher Denizen was showing some promise as a post defender, but everything fell apart when the basketball powers that be ruled he was no longer permitted to use a broomstick to block opponents’ shots. As the opponent’s scoring totals increased, your Bleacher Denizen’s playing time decreased accordingly.

Frankenmuth wins the opening tap. The Eagles miss a three point shot from the corner. Miranda Polley hustles after the rebound and forces Swan Valley to lose the ball out of bounds. The Eagles misfire on another triple try from the side. Swan Valley reciprocates and misfires on a triple try from the side. Macy Donovan passes to Miranda Polley, who relays the ball to Chloe Comstock, who throws in a threeball to give Frankenmuth the first three points of the game.

Grace Brenner steals the ball for the Eagles. Frankenmuth misses a fast break layup. Macy Donovan is fouled on the outback and hits one of her two free throws to give Frankenmuth a 4-0 lead with 6:41 left in the opening quarter.

Miranda Polley pulls down the offensive rebound from the missed free throw for the Eagles. Olivia Horvath steals the ball for the Vikings. Swan Valley passes the ball out of bounds. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner and fouls on the rebound. Grace Brenner executes a nice high kick and knocks the ball out of bounds; Swan Valley retains possession. Macy Donovan dives and ties up the ball for Frankenmuth. The Possession Arrow is scrambling to put its office Christmas party together and misses the play. The ball is awarded to Swan Valley.

The Vikings throw the inbound pass out of bounds. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the wing. Macy Donovan grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Grace Brenner goes into the lane and hits an eight foot shot for the Eagles. Grace Brenner steals the ball for Frankenmuth and passes to Macy Donovan, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to boost Frankenmuth to a 7-0 lead with 5:17 left in the opening quarter.

Swan Valley loses the ball out of bounds. Makayla Taylor gets her hand on the ball, but Frankenmuth recovers. Makayla Taylor steals an Eagle pass. Swan Valley misses a three point attempt from the corner. Frankenmuth misses a layup. Lucy Conzelmann gets her hand on the ball and knocks it out of bounds; Swan Valley retains possession. Grace Brennan steals the ball and is fouled on a fast break layup. She hits her two free throws and Frankenmuth has a 9-0 lead with 3:45 to go in the first quarter.

Gabby Miller passes to Shiloh Charboneau, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Swan Valley its first three points of the game. Grace Brenner passes to Nyla Sholten, who hits a three point shot from the side for Frankenmuth. Nyla Sholten steals the ball for the Eagles. Frankenmuth is fouled on a fast break layup, but misses two free throws. With 3:05 remaining in the first quarter, Frankenmuth has a 12-3 lead.

Emilie McNeil passes to Makayla Taylor, who throws in a threeball from the corner for Swan Valley. Lucy Conzelmann passes to Macy Donovan, who hits a layup for Frankenmuth. Swan Valley misses a twelve foot shot off the dribble from the baseline. MaryGrace Luplow gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Macy Donovan steals the ball for the Eagles.

Frankenmuth loses the ball out of bounds. Swan Valley is called for traveling. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the side. Swan Valley loses the ball out of bounds. Emilie McNeil steals the ball for Swan Valley and races to the basket to shoot and hit a six foot banked shot that cuts the Frankenmuth lead to 14-8.

Frankenmuth fumbles a pass out of bounds. Macy Donovan’s fierce defense causes Saginaw Valley to miss a layup. Frankenmuth misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. Macy Donovan hits a outback for Frankenmuth. Macy Donovan steals the ball and hits a fast break layup for the Eagles. She is fouled on the play, but misses her free throw. With 4.3 seconds left in the first quarter, Frankenmuth has a 16-8 lead.

Swan Valley misses a heave at the buzzer. (Actually they threw the ball at the basket, not the buzzer. Basketball cliches can be interesting sometimes.)

After one quarter Frankenmuth has a 16-8 lead.

Frankenmuth inbound the ball to open the second quarter. The Eagles commit an offensive foul. Swan Valley misses a threeball from the wing. Frankenmuth misses a fast break layup. Miranda Polley steals a Viking pass. Frankenmuth misses a layup. Miranda Polley ties up the rebound for the Eagles. The Possession Arrow is arguing about the guest list for the party and misses the play; the ball is awarded to the Vikings. MaryGrace Luplow makes a nice post move and hits a six foot shot for the Vikings to trim the Frankenmuth lead to 18-10.

Macy Donovan passes to Miranda Polley, who hits a layup for the Eagles. Swan Valley misses a three point shot from the side. Emilie McNeil grabs the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Swan Valley is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. MaryGrace Luplow blocks an Eagle driving layup; the loose ball goes out of bounds and Swan Valley gets the ball. Shiloh Charboneau passes to MaryGrace Luplow, who hits a jump shot from the free throw line for Swan Valley. Frankenmuth misses a three pointer from the side. MaryGrace Luplow passes to Makayla Taylor, who throws in a threeball from the side to cut the Frankenmuth lead to 23-15.

Frankenmuth misfires on a triple try from the corner. Swan Valley is called for traveling. MaryGrace Luplow knocks the ball away from Frankenmuth and Makayla Taylor picks it up for Swan Valley. Emilie McNeil hits a ten foot shot from the side for Swan Valley. Frankenmuth throws a pass through the lane and out of bounds. Makayla Taylor passes to MaryGrace Luplow, who hits a jump shot from the free throw elbow to chop the Frankenmuth lead to 23-19.

Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the corner. Nyla Sholten gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. She is fouled on a outback and hits one of her two free throws for Frankenmuth. Mya Donovan hits a outback of the missed free throw to give Frankenmuth a 26-19 lead with about 2:20 left on the first half clock.

Swan Valley misfires on a three point shot from the side. Frankenmuth reciprocates and misses a three point shot from the side. Grace Diefenbach passes to Kaydence Walsh, who hits a fourteen foot shot in the lane for the Vikings. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the side. Swan Valley misses a ten foot shot in the lane. Grace Diefenbach secures the offensive rebound for the Vikings.

Swan Valley misses a three pointer near the top of the key. Macy Donovan passes to Lucy Conzelmann, who hits a ten foot shot from the baseline for Frankenmuth. Macy Donovan knocks the ball out of bounds. Swan Valley retains possession. The Vikings miss a rushed twelve foot shot in the lane as the second quarter buzzer decides it is time to temporarily end play.

At halftime, Frankenmuth holds a 28-21 lead.

Makayla Taylor and MaryGrace Luplow each have 6 points to lead Swan Valley at halftime.

Macy Donovan leads Frankenmuth with 8 points and Chloe Comstock has 6 points.

While we wait for the second half, I hope you will enjoy these two Christmas tunes from my You Tube Channel.

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” lets us in on a true Christmas tragedy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oACFZptPUZs

This original tune, “Grandpa Did It” tells the “rest of the story” (as Paul Harvey would have put it) about this tragic case! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp3FW5dhL3E

Swan Valley throws the ball in to open quarter number three. Macy Donovan taps the ball away from Swan Valley, but the Vikings recover. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Frankenmuth gets another possession. Grace Brenner throws the ball in bounds to Macy Donovan, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to boost the Eagles to a 29-21 lead with 6:53 remaining in quarter number three.

Grace Brenner gets her hand on the ball, but Swan Valley is able to recover. Swan Valley misses an eight foot shot in the lane. Makayla Taylor knocks the ball away from Frankenmuth and Shiloh Charboneau ties up the ball for Swan Valley. The Possession Arrow is trying to decide on its place settings for the party and misses the play. The ball is awarded to Frankenmuth. The Eagles miss a threeball from the side and foul on the rebound.

Chloe Comstock gets her hand on the ball and knocks it out of bounds. Swan Valley gets the ball back. Shiloh Charboneau passes MaryGrace Luplow, who makes a fine post move and hits a six foot turnaround jumper in the lane to trim the Eagle lead to 29-23.

Frankenmuth is whistled for a traveling violation. Miranda Polley steals the ball for the Eagles. Frankenmuth misses a fast break layup and a putback. MaryGrace Luplow hits a jumper off the dribble from the free throw line to cut Frankenmuth’s lead to four points. Olivia Horvath blocks an Eagle layup. Miranda Polley grabs the loose ball for Frankenmuth and is fouled on a layup. Miranda Polley hits one of her two free throws to give her Eagles a 30-25 lead with 4:26 remaining in quarter number three.

Swan Valley loses the ball out of bounds. Lucy Conzelmann passes to Addie Bickel, who hits a three point shot from the wing for the Eagles. Makayla Taylor hits a long three point shot from the wing for Swan Valley. Frankenmuth misses a three point shot from the corner. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Addie Bickel inbounds the ball to Macy Donovan, who hits a threeball from the side to give Frankenmuth a 36-28 lead.

Mya Donovan knocks the ball away from Swan Valley and Nyla Sholten dives to pick up the ball for the Eagles. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the side. Lucy Conzelmann ties up the ball. The Possession Arrow is busy folding napkins for the party and misses the play; the ball is awarded to Swan Valley. Lucy Conzelmann steals the ball for Frankenmuth. The Eagles miss a ten foot shot from the side.

Lucy Conzelmann blocks a Swan Valley fast break layup; the loose ball goes out of bounds and Swan Valley gets it back. Lucy Conzelmann gets her hand on the ball, but Swan Valley recovers. Mya Donovan steals the ball for Frankenmuth, but her momentum forces her to travel. Addie Bickel draws an offensive foul from the Vikings. Makayla Taylor knocks the ball out of bounds and Swan Valley takes possession.

The Vikings miss a three point shot from the side. The rebound goes out of bounds and Frankenmuth gets the ball. Addie Bickel inbounds the ball to Nyla Sholten, who hits a layup for the Eagles. Mya Donovan steals the ball for the Eagles. Frankenmuth throws a pass out of bounds. Makayla Taylor passes to Shiloh Charboneau, who hits a three point shot from the side to trim the Frankenmuth lead to 38-31.

MaryGrace Luplow steals the ball for the Vikings. Swan Valley misses a fifteen foot shot from the baseline. Frankenmuth throws a pass out of bounds. Addie Bickel forces a Swan Valley traveling violation with just .2 of a second remaining in quarter number three. Frankenmuth misses a tip as the third quarter buzzer announces that it is time to move on.

After three quarters, Frankenmuth holds a 38-31 lead.

Swan Valley inbounds the ball to open the fourth quarter. Macy Donovan gets her hand on the ball, but the Vikings are able to recover. Swan Valley misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Frankenmuth misses a threeball from the wing. Swan Valley misses a three point shot from the side. MaryGrace Taylor pulls down the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Swan Valley misses a three pointer from the side.

MaryGrace Luplow knocks a Frankenmuth pass out of bounds; the Eagles retain possession. Gabby Miller steals the ball for the Vikings. Swan Valley misfires on a triple try from the corner. Frankenmuth misfires on a triple try from the side. Chloe Comstock gets the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Makayla Taylor gets her hand on an Eagle pass and Frankenmuth loses it out of bounds. Swan Valley misses a three point shot from the side and fouls on the rebound.

Shiloh Charboneau steals the ball for the Vikings. A Swan Valley offensive foul negates a layup. Makayla Taylor steals the ball for Swan Valley. Grace Brenner steals the ball for Frankenmuth. The Eagles miss a fast break layup. Lucy Conzelmann pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Gabby Miller draws a charging foul from Frankenmuth. Swan Valley misses a three point shot from the side. Makayla Taylor gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. MaryGrace Luplow is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to trim the Frankenmuth lead to 48-32 with 3:46 left on the clock.

Grace Brenner passes to Miranda Polley, who hits a three point shot from the side for Frankenmuth. Grace Brenner steals a Viking pass. Grace Brenner passes to Lucy Conzelmann, who hits a three pointer nearer the top of the key for Frankenmuth. Swan Valley throws a pass out of bounds. Makayla Taylor gets her hand on the ball, but Frankenmuth recovers. Frankenmuth is fouled, but misses two free throw. With 1:53 left in the game, Frankenmuth has a 44-32 lead.

Miranda Polley gets the offensive rebound from the missed free throw. Grace Brenner inbounds the ball to Lucy Conzelmann, who hits a three point shot from the corner for Frankenmuth. Swan Valley misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Frankenmuth gets the ball. Addie Bickel is fouled and hits two free throws to give Frankenmuth a 49-32 lead with 1:32 remaining in the game.

Swan Valley misses a threeball from the side. MaryGrace Luplow gets the offensive rebound for the Vikings. Swan Valley misses a layup. Makayla Taylor blocks a Frankenmuth driving layup; the ball goes out of bounds and the Eagles get it back. Frankenmuth misses a driving layup. Nyla Sholten knocks the ball away from Swan Valley and Addie Bickel picks it up for Frankenmuth. Frankenmuth runs out the clock.

Frankenmuth wins this game by the final score of 49-32.

MaryGrace Luplow led the Swan Valley scoring with 11 points. Makayla Taylor supported her with 9 points. Shiloh Charboneau chipped in with 6 points. Emilie McNeil added 4 points and Kaydence Walsh tallied 2 points.

Macy Donovan led Frankenmuth with 12 points. Lucy Conzelmann contributed 8 points. Nyla Sholten, Chloe Comstock and Miranda Polley each scored 6 points. Addie Bickel added 5 points. Grace Brenner put in 4 points and Mya Donovan had 2 points.

Swan Valley and Frankenmuth also played a boys’ game. Here is the play by play of that game!! https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2025/12/20/swan-valley-at-frankenmuth-boys-basketball-the-bleacher-denizen-december-19-2025-by-chuck-krafft/