South Lyon repels epic Northville rally, wins long-awaited District title
South Lyon players and coaches pose with their MHSAA District Championship trophy — the school’s first since 2008.
His team on the wrong end of the potential Comeback of the Century, South Lyon girls basketball head coach Chris Schroudt called a timeout with just over 4 minutes left in Friday’s scintillating MHSAA District basketball final against host Northville.
Once owners of a 28-10 lead, the Lions huddled around their coaching staff, clinging to a 40-39 advantage.
“My message was, ‘Even though (Northville) has hit all those shots and all the turnovers we’ve committed, we’re still up one point’,” Schroudt reminded his players. “They regrouped and finished what they started.”
That would be a 55-47 victory — the Lions first MHSAA District championship since 2008, Schroudt believed.
(To check out video highlights of Friday’s thriller, click here.)
‘Getting over the hump’
“The last few seasons we’ve won 16, 17 and 18 games,” said Schroudt, whose team will take a 20-2 record into Monday’s 7 p.m. regional semi-final game at Howell against Hartland.
“But we were never able to win a championship until this season. It was just a matter of taking the next step and getting over the hump.”
South Lyon junior Brynn O’Neil, who was a standout defensive performer and rebounder throughout the this week’s district tournament, said the Lions’ season-long sweat equity ultimately paid dividends.
“This team has put in so much work throughout the off-season and season,” O’Neil said. “I’m so proud of my teammates; we came in every day this season ready to work and to prove ourselves. It’s so cool to see everyone enjoying what we’ve accomplished.”
South Lyon was led by senior 5-foot-4 point guard Isabella Nooe, who netted 19 points, including a series of clutch free throws down the stretch.
Nooe served as calming influence
When South Lyon’s once-commanding lead began shrinking away as a result of Northville’s electrifying resurgence, it was Nooe who served a calming influence — both with the ball in her hands and with her team-unifying in-game pep talks.
Junior Sarah Nelson was also instrumental in the Lions’ success, netting 11 points to accompany her don’t-give-an-inch defense.
Trailing 31-13 at the half, the resilient Mustangs had no plans to pack it in.
Fueled by 10 third-quarter points from junior point guard Carly Pelon, the Mustangs outscored the Lions 21-8 in the third quarter to cut their once-mountainous deficit to 39-34.
Super sophomores Peyton Sivier (11 points) and Sophia Fraas (eight points) also helped navigate the Mustangs’ just-a-little-short comeback.
Pelon was extraordinary Friday night, pouring in 24 points with acrobatic drives to the hoop and a trio of long three-point bombs.
Never say die
Four minutes later, Northville trailed just 40-39 after junior Harper Lee split a pair of free throws.
Following Schroudt’s timely timeout, South Lyon junior Marian Gleason converted a clutch mid-range shot that proved to be a game-changer.
The Lions reeled off a 5-1 run in crunch-time before locking down their eight-point triumph with a parade of free throws and smothering defense.
Throughout the final frenetic four minutes, South Lyon players maintained their poise, which didn’t surprise Schroudt one bit.
‘All-Business’ Lions
“This team is all-business,” he said. “They never get too low or too high.”
Smiling, Schroudt recalled the moments after the Lions earned an early-season, confidence-building victory over Canton.
“I went in the locker-room and there was no celebrating,” he said. “I told them, ‘Hey, it’s OK to celebrate big wins’. I’m sure we’ll be celebrating tonight.”
Although it may take a few days for the sting of Friday’s loss to subside, the Mustangs can take pride in their renaissance season that saw them improve from 7-17 one season ago to earn the KLAA West Division title in 2025.
The scrappy, well-coached, super-shooting Mustangs should be contenders next year with the return of their three leading scorers Pelon, Peyton Sivier and Sophia Fraas. Do-everything Harper Lee will also return for her senior season.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
