BATTLE OF VILLES: Tenacious Tigers earn KLAA title over Mustangs
Belleville’s Jada Quinn and Northville’s Lyza Koski battle for a rebound during Thursday night’s KLAA title game.
In what many believe will be the first of multiple trophy presentations in the coming weeks for Belleville’s state-ranked girls basketball team, the Tigers posed with the Kensington Lakes Activities Association conference hardware Thursday night after taking down West Division champion Northville, 70-48,
Following an underdog-themed script written by KLAA boys champion Novi one week earlier (the Wildcats defeated state-ranked Wayne, 66-64), the Mustangs grabbed an 8-7 lead three minutes into the title game when junior forward Harper Lee knocked down a three-point shot from the right wing.
Belleville’s supremely-talented squad took over from there, however, using its height, speed and shooting skills to wear down the feisty Mustangs.
(To check out highlights from Thursday’s game, click here.)
Sophomore Sydney Savoury led the title-clinching charge with 18 points. Senior Rylan Buschell added 13, while Jaida Quinn and Paisley Stephens both contributed nine points.
Tigers back at full strength
Tiger Secrette Carter added eight points in her first game action in a few weeks after suffering an injury earlier in the season.
Among the 11 Mustangs who scored, junior Carly Pelon led the way with 11 points. Sophomores Sophia Fraas and Ella Ross both scored seven points — Ross’s all coming in the game’s final five minutes.
The Tigers swished 14 of 21 free throws while the Mustangs sank 18 of 25 freebies.
On a bright note for Northville, the Mustangs’ reserves outscored Belleville’s reserves, 16-11, throughout the fourth quarter.
No looking back
Belleville stretched its lead to 40-17 at the half and 59-32 after three quarters.
Northville returns to action Wednesday when it hosts the winner of Monday’s Novi-Walled Lake Western game in an MHSAA District 14 semifinal matchup set for 7 p.m. South Lyon and South Lyon East meet in the first district semifinal game March 5.
Belleville, which is ranked among Division 1’s top five teams, opens district play March 5 at Ypsilanti Lincoln against the winner of Monday’s Canton-Ypsilanti Community contest.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
