Boys Basketball: Northville Beats South Lyon East, 57-32

- Submitted by S. Patrone

With a win over South Lyon East, and a Salem loss, the boys varsity basketball team has a chance to secure a first place tie in their final regular season game in the Central Division of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association. The Mustangs could only control the outcome of their Friday night game against the Cougars, as they send off the “Super Seven” seniors with a season-ending victory.

Northville (8-6, 6-3 KLAA Central) did just that with a first quarter scoring attack of 19-5 against the struggling South Lyon East Cougars (0-9, 1-13 KLAA Central). Senior point guard Jeff Gertley grabbed the first Mustang points off of an offensive rebound on their first possession. Senior Brett MacDonald took control on defense as he rejected the Cougars first shot in mid flight. Senior Mitch Alameddine followed that with a baseline jumper beyond the arc.

The ‘Stangs stepped up their defense with full court pressure all the way back into their trapping 2-3 zone. Gertley (5 steals) and Senior Andrew Wright (3 steals) took advantage of the Cougars turnovers and converted them into breakaway, full court layups. The Mustangs outscored the Cougars (16-9) in the second quarter to take the halftime lead, 35-14.

The Mustangs ball movement was superb on offense as the Cougars couldn’t keep up with a defensive zone strategy that would contain Northville. Seniors Andrew Poterala and Ryan O’Callaghan converted fields goals from the paint and drives from the wing. It wasn’t until 1:40 left in the third quarter that the Mustangs (MacDonald) took their first free throws of the game. The Cougars outscored the Mustangs (7-10) to end the third quarter with Northville maintaining the lead at (42-24).

The Mustangs coasted in the fourth quarter to outscore the Cougars (12-8) and send the “Super Seven” seniors out with a victory (54-32). Junior point guard Alec Lasley ripped down four defensive boards and pushed the ball up court to allow every Mustang to contribute to scoring opportunities.

MacDonald led the scoring attack with 13 points and 1 block, followed by Gertley with 8 points, 3 assists and 7 steals. Juniors Andrew Meacham and Stewart Henzi contributed six points each along with senior Andrew Wright 6 points, 3 assists and 3 steals. Poetrala and junior Jake Hansen had 4 points each followed by teammate Alameddine with 3 points. Seniors Jeff Hewlett and Ryan O’Callaghan, with 1 block each, rounded out the Mustang scoring with two points apiece.

The Mustangs will host the KLAA divisional crossover game against the Plymouth Wildcats next Tuesday, Feb. 14 before heading into the KLAA Tournament. GO ‘Stangs!