Northville Boys Basketball Comes Up Short in Holiday Tournament

—Submitted by Bob Lasley

The Northville Mustangs boys varsity basketball team came up short in their efforts Saturday night to win their Northville Holiday Tournament as they fell to Waterford Mott High School 54-41.The Corsairs were led by their outstanding senior backcourt duo of Khalil Malone and Billy McDonald. Northville scored first on a 3 pointer by Stewart Henzi, but they trailed at the end of the first
quarter 12-7.

Waterford Mott started the second quarter in a half-court zone trap which forced several Mustang turnovers and some tough shots that increased their lead to 10 points. The Mustangs made only 6 of 22 field goal attempts in the first half, and combined with six 3 pointers by McDonald resulted in a 29-16 deficit.

Northville shot a little better in the third quarter (4-10), but could not reduce the deficit as the period ended with the Corsairs retaining their 13 point lead, 38-25. Waterford Mott increased the lead in the fourth period to as many as 16 points, 43-27, behind the scoring of the Corsairs’ Malone. The Mustangs rallied to cut the lead to 47-39 with 1:09 remaining in the game, but could get no closer. For the game Northville shot 17-45 from the field and only attempted 3 free throws. Andrew Meacham led the Mustang scoring with 16 points, and Henzi and Malik Bazzi both chipped in with 6. Northville’s next game is Friday, Jan. 4 at Salem at 7 p.m.