Northville opens season with nice win (and 67 points) against South Lyon

Harper Lee — the fabulous basketball player, not the famous author of To Kill A Mockingbird — helped script Northville’s girls basketball team’s riveting 67-36 victory over South Lyon Tuesday night.

Lee’s performance in the Mustangs’ emphatic 67-36 win could be titled To Fill A Scoresheet as the combo guard tallied a game-high 16 points while also contributing six rebounds, three assists and a couple of blocks.

Northville’s triumph came roughly nine months after the Lions upended the Mustangs in an MHSAA District final played on the same court in March.

“That was a tough loss for us,” Lee said, when asked about the district title setback. “So we came out and played really hard tonight with some extra energy”

Tough and Reddy

Tuesday’s game was the Northville coaching debut for Jimmy Reddy, whose emphasis on passing more than dribbling, and waiting for good shots in the half-court offense is resonating with the Mustangs.

“My staff and I have been asking the girls to do things a little differently than they’re used to and they’ve trusted us,” said Reddy. “This is a super-coachable group. Like Harper tonight, they’ve been super-receptive. We still have some things to clean up and we have a long way to go, but so far, so good.”

Lee scored every way imaginable, burying two three-point shots, converting multiple driving layups and canning both her free-throw attempts.

“Harper is cutting hard without the ball with a purpose,” Reedy said, when asked about Lee’s bountiful performance. “What impresses me the most about her is she can play the high post, low post and she can step out and hit a three. She also crashes the glass hard, giving us second and third opportunities on our offensive possessions.”

This 67 was anything but ho-hum

The Mustangs’ path to netting 67 points in the year the number has emerged as a favorite for teens and pre-teens was paved with a ton of passing and minimal dribbling.

“We all like to shoot, obviously,” Lee said, smiling. “But our coaches want us to be patient in the half-court offense — not just fire up a three because we’re open. We did a good job most of the time of reversing the ball tonight until we got a really good shot.”

Bolting to an early 11-3 lead, Northville received best-selling efforts from several players, notably junior Peyton Sivier (14 points) and senior Carly Pelon (11 points).

Freshman Taylor Chrzanowski appeared unfazed in her varsity debut, tallying eight points, while a pair of Sophias — Fraas and Knapp — scored six each.

Four of Knapp’s points were the result of hustling after offensive rebounds and converting contested put-backs.

Pelon was near-perfect

Pelon worked a near-flawless game as the Mustangs’ point guard, making sure the ball moved quickly on the perimeter and knocking down two triples when the opportunities were right.

Freshmen Riley McLelland and Annie Kelp led South Lyon with eight points a piece. Senior Lucy Stoll added seven points.

The Mustangs were a model of consistency, scoring 17 points in each of the first three quarters before settling for 16 in the fourth. They never relinquished the double-digit lead they first built late in the second quarter.

Much like last season, the winners got to the free throw line frequently, swishing 12 of their 19 attempts.

“We have most of our team back from last year, which helps our chemistry,” Lee said. “I think we’re capable of going far this season, as long as we keep up the energy we showed tonight.”

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