Northville Mustangs Boys Basketball Tops Salem

- Submitted by S. Patrone

The boys varsity basketball team moved into a first place tie in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Central Division with an impressive win over the Salem Rocks Friday night, 47-37.

Northville (5-5, 3-2 KLAA Central) started the second half of the season with a renewed purpose as they took on the KLAA Central Division leading Salem Rocks (10-1, 4-1 KLAA Central). Northville grabbed the lead on their first possession with a perfectly executed pick-n-roll from Brett MacDonald to Andrew Meacham.  MacDonald dropped the Mustangs only points from the arc, followed by Jeff Gertley with a steal and a full court layup to secure the quarter lead at 14-13.

The Mustangs defense was rock solid as their 2-3 trapping zone forced Salem into hurried shots and numerous turnovers. Senior point guard Jeff Gertley took advantage as he converted two defensive steals into full court layups. Also, Gertley was spot on from the free throw line with a perfect 6-6 effort. The ‘Stangs held the Rocks to only 7 points in the second quarter as Northville dropped in 13 points and a halftime lead of 27-20.

Both teams couldn’t find the basket in the third quarter but that didn’t stop Gertley and Meacham from dropping in their season high point totals of 18 and 16 respectively. The Mustangs continued their defensive intensity from the first half by only allowing the Rocks six points in the third quarter. Stewart Henzi and Andrew Poterala grabbed six defensive boards each while Meacham secured five.  Gertley and Henzi racked up three steals each as the Mustangs’ 2-3 zone was working perfectly. Northville maintained a 32-26 lead going into the last quarter.

Salem applied a full court press in the fourth quarter but Northville responded with quick passing and easy baskets. Salem dropped in a 3-pointer from the arc to keep the Rocks within reaching distance at 42-36 with 48 seconds left, although Gertley and Poterala sealed the 47-37 win with needed bonus free throws.

Gertley was impressive from the floor with 5-8 from the floor and 8-10 from the stripe for a season high 18 points. Meacham followed with his season high total of 16 points on 8-17 from the floor. The remaining Mustangs scorers were MacDonald with 7 points, Poterala 3 points, Hewlett with 2 points and Henzi with 1 point.

The Mustangs (4-2, 6-5 overall) look to maintain their first place division lead as they host two home games next week against Stevenson Spartans and the Novi Wildcats. KEEP IT GOING MUSTANGS!