Fowler vs. Lansing Christian – – MHSAA Girls Basketball District Semifinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 4, 2026 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, your Bleacher Denizen has driven to Carson City-Crystal High School to cover the Girls District Basketball Semifinal. I covered the evening’s first game between Portland St. Patrick and Fulton. The link to that game is here! https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2026/03/05/portland-st-patrick-vs-fulton-mhsaa-girls-basketball-district-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-march-4-2026-by-chuck-krafft/

Tonight’s second game will be an “all-CMAC” affair as the Fowler Eagles will compete with the Lansing Christian Pilgrims to see who will advance to Friday night’s district final. Lansing Christian and Fowler were in a three way tie for fifth place in the league with 8-10 records. (Saranac was the third team.) Overall, Lansing Christian is 12-10 while Fowler is 9-13.

I have seen both of these teams earlier this season. Christian Coach Jason Salsbury provided me with this information about his Pilgrim players.

Alyssa Shank is a third year starter who ran the point in previous years where she was a dependable ball handler and excelled with her aggressive perimeter defense. This year, she is scoring a lot more and is tough slashing to the basket. She is also a solid three point shooter. Natalie Adams is a versatile defender who is tough on the perimeter or in the lane. She can score on slashes to the basket.

Juliette Tallon is this year’s Pilgrim point guard. She passes, handles the ball and defends the perimeter well. Leal Potter is a tall wing who uses her height and basketball IQ to be a disruptive defensive presence on the perimeter. She is also a good passer. Katie Leavitt is a tough, physical post defender, who sets screens, passes and does a lot of the important things that good teams need, but do not show up in the box score. Esther Lee is a strong post scorer and rebounder with a number of really effective post moves.

Fowler Coach Nathan Goerge provided this information about his Eagle Players.

Izzy Halfmann is the only returning starter from last year’s Fowler State Championship Team. She is a versatile player with few if any weaknesses who will probably be the best player on the floor in most of Fowler’s games. She is an incredible defender who can cover any position well as she can stick with anyone either on the perimeter or in the post. She is a strong ball handler and dependable passer who could run the point if Fowler needed her to. She is a versatile scorer who can slash to the basket, overpower opponents in the post or shoot from the three point line.

Selena Stump is the only other returning player who played much for last year’s team. She is a good perimeter defender with a great three point shot. When she gets hot, she can go on incredible shooting streaks. Leah Thelen is a strong defender and rebounder in the post. Sophia Thelen defends the perimeter well and can slash to the basket for layups.

Payton Rademacher brings a solid three point shot and scrappy perimeter defense to the Eagles. Myah Rademacher is a good passer and ball handler who brings a lot of energy to the Eagle perimeter defense. She is also a threat from the three point line.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the (hopefully) observant eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league when he attempted to play ball in ages past. He was showing a lot of promise as a dunker until the basketball powers that be raised the hoop from five feet to its present ten feet.

While the Bleacher had accumulated many great dunk moves that worked without failure on the five foot basket, basic elevation became a challenge when the hoop was raised to ten feet. When the powerful dunks stopped coming, the scoring dropped and the Bleacher Denizen’s playing time disappeared.

Christian wins the opening tap. Sophia Thelen steals the ball for the Pirates. The Eagles miss a driving layup. Christian misses an eight foot shot off the dribble in the lane. Esther Lee gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian throws the ball out of bounds. Sophia Thelen hits a three point shot near the top of the key to give Fowler a 3-0 lead.

Alyssa Shank drives and hits a layup for the Pilgrims. Fowler misses a three point shot from the side. Izzy Halfmann throws the rebound off a Pilgrim player to earn another possession for her Eagles. Selena Stump passes to Payton Rademacher, who is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to give her Eagles a 4-2 lead with 5:47 left in the opening quarter.

Izzy Halfmann gets her hand on the ball and a Christian dribbler loses it out of bounds. Fowler misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the side of the lane. The rebound goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get the ball. Alyssa Shank drives and hits a layup for the Pilgrims to tie the game. The Rademacher connection comes through as Myah passes to Payton, who hits a layup to give Fowler a 6-4 lead.

Christian is assessed with a traveling violation. Alyssa Shank steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Izzy Halfmann gets her hand on the ball, but the Pilgrims recover. Christian misses a three point shot from the side. Natalie Adams hits a putback for Christian to tie the game at 6-6.

Alyssa Shank gets her hand on the ball, but the Eagles recover. Payton Rademacher is fouled on a layup and hits one of her two free throws to give Fowler a 7-6 lead with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter.

Izzy Halfmann knocks a Pilgrim pass out of bounds. Christian retains possession. Christian misses a threeball from the top of the key. Fowler misses a threeball from the corner. Christian throws a pass out of bounds. Myah Rademacher drives the baseline and hits an eight foot shot as she is fouled. She misses her free throw. With 2:20 remaining in the first quarter, Fowler has a 9-6 lead.

Myah Rademacher rebounds the missed free throw for the Eagles. Fowler misses a layup. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow canvasses its legal committee and awards the ball to Fowler. The Eagles miss a three pointer from the corner. Selena Stump steals the ball and is fouled on a layup. She hits one of her two free throws for Fowler; Izzy Halfmann hits a putback of the missed free throw to boost Fowler to a 12-6 lead.

Leah Thelen knocks the ball away from Christian and Myah Rademacher picks it up for Fowler. The Eagles miss a three point shot from the side. Christian is whistled for carrying the ball. Juliette Tallon knocks the ball away from the Eagles, but Fowler recovers. The Eagles miss a driving layup. Leah Thelen draws an offensive foul from the Pilgrims. Sophia Thelen passes to Izzy Halfmann, who hits a layup for Fowler. Christian misses a threeball from the side just before the first quarter decides to vent and blares loud enough to bring an end to the first quarter.

After one quarter, Fowler has a 14-6 lead.

Christian inbounds the ball to start out the second quarter. The Pilgrims throw a pass out of bounds. Fowler misses a driving layup. Christian bounces a pass out of bounds. Fowler misfires on a triple try from the corner. Alyssa Shank is fouled on a driving reverse layup and hits one of her two free throws to shave the Fowler lead to 14-7 with 7:05 left in the quarter.

Juliette Tallon knocks a Fowler pass out of bounds and the Pilgrims take possession. Christian misfires on a threeball from the wing. Evah Foster grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Myah Rademacher pulls down the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler misses a shot. Alyssa Shank drives and hits a layup for Christian; the Eagle lead is cut to 14-9.

Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian gets the ball. Leah Thelen blocks a Christian ten foot shot from the side of the lane. The loose ball goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get another opportunity. Christian misses a threeball from the corner. Fowler is whistled for a traveling violation. Alyssa Shank is fouled on a reverse layup and hits two free throws to whittle the Fowler lead down to 14-11 with 4:07 remaining in the first half.

Izzy Halfmann is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for Fowler. Izzy Halfmann blocks a Christian eight foot shot. Fowler misfires on a triple try from the side. Myah Rademacher grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Juliette Tallon knocks the ball away from Fowler. Kylie Damesworth dives and secures the ball for Christian. The Pilgrims miss a layup. Natalie Adams hits a putback to shave the Eagle lead to 16-13.

Fowler misses a layup. Peyton Rademacher is fouled on a putback and hits one of her two free throws for Fowler. The rebound from the missed free throw goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Christian misses a layup and fouls on the rebound. Lael Ritter knocks the ball away from Fowler and Alyssa Shank picks it up for Christian. Christian is fouled on an eight foot shot in the lane, but misses two free throws. With 2:06 left in the quarter, Fowler has a 17-13 lead.

Alyssa Shank steals an Eagle pass. Christian misses a driving eight foot shot in the lane. Izzy Halfmann is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws for Fowler. Chrsitian misses a three point shot from the side. Fowler misses a three point shot from the top of the key. Selena Stump steals the ball and passes to Izzy Halfmann, who hits a fast break layup for the Eagles. Christian does not have time to shoot before the halftime buzzer makes its presence known.

At halftime, Fowler has a 20-13 lead.

Alyssa Shank leads the Pilgrim scoring at halftime with 7 points.

Izzy Halfmann has 9 points and Payton Rademacher has 5 points for Fowler.

Fowler inbounds the ball to get quarter number three underway. The Eagles miss a threeball from the corner. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Fowler gets another opportunity. Fowler throws a pass through the lane and out of bounds. Christian bounces a pass out of bounds and Fowler gets the ball. The Eagles miss a driving layup. Christian misses a six foot shot in the lane. Fowler misses a layup. Christians misses a three point shot from the side.

Lael Ritter grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Esther Lee gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. The Pilgrims get the offensive rebound, but Leah Thelen steals the ball for Fowler. The Eagles miss a fast break layup. The Bleacher Denizen misses seeing the ball go into the basket.

Christian misses a three pointer from the side. Fowler misses a ten foot shot off the dribble from the baseline. Esther Lee passes to Natalie Adams, who hits a layup for the Pilgrims. Izzy Halfmann is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to push the Fowler lead to 21-15 with 4:31 to go in quarter number three.

Christian misses a three point shot from the corner. Selena Stump passes to Myah Rademacher, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Fowler. Christian throws a pass out of bounds. Fowler misses a layup. Alyssa Shank drives and hits a layup for Christian. She is fouled on the play and makes her free throw to trim the Fowler lead to 24-18 with 3:06 to go in quarter number three.

Payton Rademacher drives the baseline, is fouled on a layup and makes two free throws for Fowler. Juliette Tallon is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for Christian. with 2:32 remaining in quarter number three, Fowler is holding a 26-20 lead.

Alyssa Shank steals an Eagle pass. Christian misses a driving layup. Myah Foster gets the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup. Fowler misses a driving layup. Ayana Canfield grabs the offensive rebound for the Eagles. Fowler is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 1:56 left in quarter number three, Fowler’s lead remains at 26-20.

Christian misses a layup. The rebound goes out of bounds and Fowler takes possession. Fowler misses a driving layup. Ayana Canfield forces a Christian double dribble violation. Natalie Adams blocks a Fowler layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and the Eagles get another opportunity. Fowler misses a three point shot from the wing. Alyssa Shank hits a fast break layup to cut the Fowler lead to 26-22.

Juliette Tallon steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Izzy Halfmann blocks a Pilgrim threeball from the side. Fowler misses a three pointer from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian gets the ball. Christian inbounds the ball, but there are just .4 of a second left, so the quarter ends here.

With three quarters in the books, Fowler has a 26-22 lead.

Fowler inbounds the ball to open the fourth quarter. The Eagles miss a layup. The Pilgrims miss a threeball from the corner. Lael Ritter steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Alyssa Shank is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws to chop the Fowler lead to 26-24 with 7:14 remaining in the game.

Esther Lee blocks an Eagle layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Fowler gets another opportunity. Izzy Halfmann is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to boost the Eagle lead to 27-24 with 6:55 to go.

Izzy Halfmann blocks a Christian ten foot shot in the lane; the loose ball goes out of bounds and the Pilgrims get another possession. Sophia Thelen gets her hand on the ball, but the Pilgrims recover. Christian misses a driving layup. Alyssa Shank grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Natalie Adams fights to prevent a Pilgrim pass into heavy traffic from becoming a turnover. As soon as she catches the pass, Christian calls timeout to prevent the turnover.

Christian misses a ten foot shot from the side. Lael Ritter grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims. Selena Stump draws a charging foul from Christian. Payton Rademacher is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of her two free throws to give Fowler a 28-24 lead with 5:02 left on the clock.

Payton Rademacher ties up the rebound for the Eagles. The Possession Arrow is trying to figure out some complicated legal terminology and misses the play. The ball is awarded to Christian. Alyssa Chank drives and hits a layup for Christian to cut the Fowler lead to 28-26.

Katie Leavitt blocks a Fowler driving layup. Christian misses a driving layup. Alyssa Shank grabs the offensive rebound for the Pilgrims and hits a ten foot shot in the lane to tie the game. Fowler is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. With 3:34 left on the clock, the game is tied at 28-28.

Leah Thelen steals the ball for Fowler. Juliette Tallon knocks the ball away from Fowler and Alyssa Shank picks it up for Christian. The Pilgrims miss a fast break layup. Fowler misses a threeball from the side. There is a flurry of action as Fowler gets the offensive rebound, Christian steals the ball and Fowler steals the ball. Myah Rademacher passes to Izzy Hoffman, who hits a layup to give Fowler a 30-28 lead.

Leah Thelen steals the ball for Fowler. Esther Lee steals the ball for Christian. Leah Thelen blocks a Christian layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Christian gets it back. Alyssa Shank is fouled on a three pointer from the side and hits two of her three free throws to tie the game at 30-30 with 1:57 remaining.

Payton Rademacher is fouled on a drive to the basket and hits two free throws to give Fowler a two point lead. Alyssa Shank bursts into the lane and is fouled on a ten foot shot. She hits one of her two free throws. With 1:28 to go, Fowler’s lead is at 32-31.

The rebound goes out of bounds and Christian gets another possession. The Pilgrims misfire on a triple try from the side. Izzy Halfmann is fouled and hits one of her two free throws for Fowler with 44.8 seconds left; Fowler now leads 33-31.

Christian throws a pass out of bounds. Natalie Adams steals the ball for the Pilgrims. Christian misses a layup, but gets the offensive rebound. Fowler quickly steals the ball. (My apologies; as I age, sometimes, it is hard to name the players when the action is so fast.) Izzy Halfmann is fouled and hits one of her two free throws to give Fowler a 34-31 lead with 25.6 seconds to go.

Izzy Halfmann steals the ball for the Eagles. Selena Stump is fouled and hits one of her two free throws with 5.8 seconds to go to give Fowler a 35-31 lead. Christian misses a three point shot from the wing as time expires. Fowler wins this game by the final score of 35-31 and will play Portland St. Patrick in Friday’s district final.

Alyssa Shank scored 21 points to lead Lansing Christian’s scoring. Natalie Adams added 6 points. Juliette Tallon and Lael Ritter each tallied 2 points.

Izzy Halfmann had 15 points to lead Fowler’s scoring. Payton Rademacher joined her teammate in double figures with 10 points. Myah Rademacher contributed 5 points. Sophia Thelen scored 3 points and Selena Stump had 2 points.