Northville Girls Basketball Beats Plymouth

—Submitted by Coach Todd Gudith

In a back and forth game Friday night the Northville Varsity Girls Basketball team managed to eek out a 42-40 win over Plymouth. Plymouth had the hot hand early as they broke Northville's initial pressure as Plymouth's Kylie Robb made (3) 3-pointers in the first quarter while Plymouth jumped out to an early 8-0 lead. Northville, which struggled shooting the ball managed to get on the board and climb back into the game down just five after the 1st quarter.   The Mustangs turned up their pressure in the second quarter after Plymouth extended the lead to 21-10. The pressure helped Northville not only erase the deficit, but gave the home team a two point lead heading into the lockerroom on the 16-3 run during the final 4 minutes of the half. Jr. Heather Randall scored 10 of the Mustangs 26 halftime points to give the Mustangs momentum.  Northville continued their pressure in the third quarter but couldn't take control of the game as Plymouth managed to take a two point lead into the final quarter. Northville climbed back on top in the fourth to take their biggest lead of the game at six points led by Sr. Kendra Brenner's three baskets.  Northville held the Wildcats without a basket in the fourth quarter until under three minutes to play. A triple by Plymouth cut the lead in half.  Plymouth then went on to make a free throw and a basket by their 6-5 Jr. Center to tie everything up with 12 seconds to play. After as timeout, Northville sprinted pass Plymouth's full court pressure and Megan Buckingham found a wide out Brittant Berehulka in the corner for a 3 point attempt. Berehulka missed but followed her shot and was fouled on the put back were she sank both free throws to put Northville up two with 3.3 seconds left. After a Northville foul which put the clock at 1.9 seconds, Plymouth's last ditch effort was tipped and bobbled in the corner as time ran out.  

We're really proud of the way our girls came back in the first half. We didn't shot the ball very well so we had no choice but to rely on our defense to win us this game. Our first two games of the season were not very competitive so to play a team that challenged us like Plymouth did was a good test for us.  There were a number of different in-game situations our girls had to respond to that we have practiced but haven't had the chance to do it in game action.  They did a great job responding.   

Northville 3-0 overall plays at Canton Tuesday in a rematch of last season's district championship.