New-look Northville hoops team looks for ‘Mustang Magic’ sequel

Nine months after pulling off a district championship so dramatic it could be featured on an ESPN E:60 documentary (titled “Mustang Magic”, maybe?) Northville’s boys basketball team is back — with an almost entirely new roster, but lofty aspirations just the same.

After entering last March’s six-team tournament as a chip-on-their-shoulder underdog, the host Mustangs scripted three consecutive overtime triumphs over rivals Novi, Detroit Catholic Central and Canton to win their second consecutive district title.

Northville’s 41-40 crown-securing victory over the Chiefs was extra-compelling given Canton crushed the Mustangs a few weeks earlier, 42-20, and led Northville by five points early in the four-minute overtime session.

Unforgettable week

“It was certainly a memorable week — one I know I’ll never forget,” said Northville Head Coach Todd Sander, who is entering his 16th season as head coach and 20th with the program. “The way we did it — with three overtime victories — and the fact it was the school’s first back-to-back district titles in 40 years — made it fantastic.

“At the same time, we all know we have a lot of work ahead of us this season. The focus now is to do our best to hopefully put ourselves in a position to do that again.”

Graduation chiseled off an important chunk of the Mustangs’ cast of playmakers, with senior defensive instigators Nolan Thomson, Cullen Foley and Angelo Rodriguez moving on to college.

Northville also lost its two top returning offensive threats — Justin Huang and Carlos Adamson, both of whom moved out of state with their families.

Moving on

“Carlos and Justin could really score and they’re great kids, so we wish them well,” Sander said. “But we’ve known for several months we weren’t going to have them, so we’ve had time to move on.

“The seniors we lost didn’t have huge statistics, but we’re going to miss their will to compete and their unselfish attitudes. They got after it and set the tone defensively.”

Northville’s 2023-24 roster is a blend of three classes — four seniors, five juniors and two sophomores, all of whom are showing early signs of working well together.

“This team has displayed great team chemistry, which is where you know you have to start no matter what team you have coming back,” Sander said. “Having players from three classes is unique because they haven’t all played together as a unit, so they’re still learning each other’s tendencies.

“The three seniors we have back from last year’s team are doing a great job of leading the way.”

Football success carry-over

Northville’s Nov. 30 practice was its first with all 11 varsity players available, Sander revealed. Senior front-court standout Nick Helner, one of the team’s two returning starters (Chad Carney being the other), missed a few days recovering from a broken finger suffered in an MHSAA playoff football game and practiced for the first time on Nov. 29.

“Not having the guys who played football at the beginning of practice (the Mustangs’ football team advanced to the Division 1 quarterfinals) put us a little behind, but we’re OK because December is usually more about learning and less about wins and losses,” Sander said.

“The football players we have know what it’s like to compete at a high level, so hopefully their success on the gridiron can carry over to the basketball court.”

Helner, Carney and fellow senior Sonny Rentz will provide a huge dose of leadership, Sander noted.

“Nick and Chad played significant minutes in meaningful games last year, so we’ll be counting on them big-time this year,” Sander said. “And Sonny is a tremendous competitor with a ton of energy and a great motor.”

Counting on juniors

The Mustangs’ first-year varsity junior class is loaded with potential, led by Kaden Kuban, Bennett Watson and Marcus Hudson.

“Marcus is a dynamic athletes who can leap out of the gym and should provide us with a ton of offensive rebounds and putbacks,” Sander said. “Bennett has good size (he’s 6-foot-6) and will obviously help us around the basket.”

Juniors Simon Sondreal and Ryan Young will provide solid depth, as will senior J.J. Rickard, who made the team after not playing last season.

“I give J.J. a lot of credit for coming out and making the team after now being a part of the program for a couple years,” Sander said. “He’s a great teammate and really competes in practice.”

Sander emphasized his team’s two 10th-graders — Nate Imbuzeiro and Brody Grezak — are more than roster-fillers.

“We’ve made it clear to the entire team that we don’t bring sophomore up just to occupy space,” Sander said. “They’ll be competing for minutes just like everybody else.”

Sander said the 2023-24 Mustangs’ style may have an “old-school” at least early on.

“We’ll be looking to take advantage of our size (Northville has four players 6-foot-4 or taller) and running our offense through the post,” he said. “What it’s going to come down to, though, is how hard our guys compete and how quickly our first-year guys adjust to varsity-level basketball.”

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.