Friday’s high schools: No sweat for Novi, again

Canton — Friday night’s girls basketball game between Novi and Salem went just as many of Novi’s previous eight wins had gone — with Novi winning big, this time 56-37.

Ellie Mackay, the centerpiece of Novi’s offense, led the way with 18 points. Cara Ninkovich added eight and Julia Lalain seven.

“The thing I liked about her is that she got to the basket tonight,” Novi coach Bill Kelp said of Mackay. “Instead of just being a shooter, she’s taking the ball harder to the basket and she was rewarded tonight.”

Novi (9-3, 3-2 KLAA Central) established control early, going on a 6-2 run in the first 2:15. It continued rolling, and led 20-6 after the first quarter.

Novi established an early presence down low, scoring 10 of its 20 on second-chance baskets. Its defense was also aggressive, forcing Salem to take off-angle shots and commit early turnovers.

“We’re the kind of team that has to play defense to create our offense,” Kelp said. “Offensively, we spread it out and tried to attack gaps and get to the basket, or kick it out for shots.”

Novi maintained control in the second quarter, taking a 35-20 into the half.

In the third quarter, Novi, led by impressive hustle from Mackay, opened up its lead and was ahead 52-26 after 24 minutes.

“I just tried to take advantage of the middle and drive,” she said. “They (referees) were calling fouls all game, so I just tried to take advantage of it.”

That aggressiveness was not lost on Salem coach Dan Young.

“They pushed us around a lot,” he said. “That caused us to have a hard time scoring and (we were) turning it over a little too much. They really drove it on us.

“They got to the rim and got a lot more layups than we did, I’ll tell you that.”

Entering the game, Novi outscored its opponents, 513-368. Novi’s closest win was a 49-41 victory over Livonia Stevenson on Jan. 17 — its only single-digit win and only the second single-digit margin this season.

Young said his team is young and still having trouble with its confidence. Six of Salem’s 11 players — including two starters — are sophomores.

Jayna Lenders scored 11 and Lyniah Wilson had nine points for Salem (2-10, 1-5).

More girls basketball

Allen Park 59, Taylor Truman 43: Abbie Slate and Claire Latkovic had 10 for Allen Park (9-3, 6-2 Downriver). Orphea Cooper had 16 points for Truman (2-9, 1-5).

Belleville 79, Dearborn Edsel Ford 20: Victoria Perez scored 26 and Katelyn Sherwood 21 for Belleville (9-3, 4-1 WWAC Blue). Edsel Ford is 6-6, 0-5.

Clawson 43, Clinton Township Clintondale 28: Jackie Hauser had 10 points and 16 rebounds, Raquel Lewis had 10 points and Maria Chene had five assists for Clawson (12-3, 7-0 MAC Bronze). Clintondale is 3-10, 3-2.

Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 53, New Baltimore Anchor Bay 36: Gina Liss had 18 points and Ivy Velazquez scored 11 for Chippewa Valley (5-7, 3-3 MAC Blue). Alyssa Truba had 13 points for Anchor Bay (2-9, 1-4).

Dearborn Fordson 60, Redford Union 37: Rana Elhusseini had 18 points and Kiki Darwische 16 for Fordson (9-4 5-0 WWAC Red). Johnnae Steele had 19 for Union (7-4, 3-2).

Dearborn Heights Robichaud 57, Romulus 38: Kamaria McDaniels had 38 points and 10 rebounds (7-5, 4-2 WWAC Blue). Kennedi Fulwylie had 15 points for Romulus (3-8, 2-4).

Grosse Pointe North 39, Romeo 34: Julia Ayrault had 19 points and 14 rebounds for North (8-5, 4-4 MAC Red). Amber Flinn had 11 points for Romeo (8-5, 2-5).

Hartland 56, Pinckney 27: Lexey Tobel scored 19 and Whitney Sollum 15 for Hartland (11-1, 6-0 KLAA West). Pinckney is 5-7, 2-4.

North Farmington 41, Oxford 32: Kierra Crockett had 17 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and five blocks for North Farmington (10-4, 3-2 OAA Red). Madelyn Morris had 17 points for Clawson (1-8, 0-4).

Rochester Adams 43, Royal Oak 38: Ryan Owufu had 14 points (4-8). Jessica Adams had 12 for Royal Oak (9-4).

Roseville 47, Madison Heights Lamphere 22: Chantae Parker had 15 points and Nija Collier scored 11 and had 12 rebounds for Roseville (8-5, 6-1 MAC Silver). Daija Ray had five points for Lamphere (6-8, 2-4).

St. Clair Shores Lakeview 54, Macomb L’Anse Creuse North 34: Lashana Young had 19 points and 12 rebounds, Alicia Bullaaro scored 15 and Nicole Austin had 10 assists for Lakeview (14-0, 8-0 MAC Blue). North is 7-6, 3-5.

Trenton 58, Lincoln Park 7: Therese Hebda scored 12 for Trenton (11-1, 7-1 Downriver). Lincoln Park is 1-9, 0-6.

Warren Woods Tower 47, Madison Heights Madison 40: LeeAnn Wilson had 20 points and seven rebounds and Jukaila Hill added 15 points for Tower (6-7, 4-2 MAC Silver). Michelle Vaughn scored 11 for Madison (6-6, 4-2).

Wayne Memorial 60, Plymouth 50: Camree Clegg scored 12 for Memorial (9-2, 6-0 KLAA South). Chantal LeDeoux had 15 points for Plymouth (4-8, 3-3).

Boys basketball

Belleville 76, Dearborn Edsel Ford 25: Devin Alverson finished with 26 points and nine rebounds and Davion Williams had 12 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for Belleville (9-2, 4-1 WWAC Blue). Edsel Ford is 2-9, 1-4.

Canton 68, Livonia Franklin 24: B. Artis White had 17 points and Vinson Sigmon 12 for Canton (8-4, 5-1 KLAA South). Mark Mettie had 14 points for Franklin (5-7, 1-5).

Dearborn Heights Annapolis 55, Garden City 49: Alex Ismail scored 22 and Jalen Turner 10 for Annapolis (7-3, 4-1 WWAC Red). Brad Russell had 18 points for Garden City (3-7, 1-4).

Dearborn Heights Robichaud 96, Livonia Clarenceville 18: Rayvon Williamson had 20 points and six steals, Tyler Robinson 14 points and 10 rebounds and Jaylen Favor scored 14 s for Robichaud (8-2, 4-1 WWAC Red). Clarenceville is 0-12, 0-5.

Detroit Cass Tech 61, Detroit Western 51: Randy Gilbert had 16 points and eight rebounds, Chris Murry added 16 points and six rebounds and Marcus Gibbs scored 14 for Cass Tech (10-3, 6-1 PSL West Div. 1). Ravon Simpson scored 12 for Western (5-7, 4-2).

Detroit Catholic Central 70, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 56: Gio Genrich scored 21 and C.J. Baird 18 for Catholic Central (8-3, 3-2 Catholic League). Caden Prieskorn scored 25 and C.J. Wilson 18 for St. Mary’s (8-3, 2-2).

Detroit CMA 63, Detroit Cody 55: Clifford Barrow scored 18, Jaylen Young 16 and Jorden Peterson 15 for CMA (7-4, 5-3 PSL West Division 2). Isaiah Cunningham had 14 points for Cody (7-3, 5-3).

Detroit Douglass 81, Detroit Denby 43: Robert Hurst had 24 points and 13 rebounds, Carlos Byars-Walker and Jarnard Smith Jr each scored 18, and Kelly Broadus added 15 points and 10 assists for Douglass (11-3, 8-1 PSL East Division 2). Tonato Tutt had 15 points for Denby (5-5, 4-2).

Detroit Henry Ford 63, Detroit Renaissance 60 (OT): Devontaye Webb had 22 points, five steals and three rebounds and Deontae Ulmer had 15 for Ford (7-7, 4-4 PSL West Div. 1). Carrington McCaskill had 16 and Chandler Turner 13 for Renaissance (4-7, 2-5).

Detroit Osborn 93, Detroit Pershing 92: Ken Holloway had 37 points, Armonee Felder 27 and James Loyd 23 for Osborn (7-6, 3-5 PSL East Division 1). Ron Hill had 27 points, D’juan Seals 17 and Patrick Hatcher 16 for Pershing (3-10, 2-6).

Detroit Southeastern 69, Detroit West Side Academy 32: Dekoven Phillips had 12 points and Davon Pippen and Cody Currie had 11 for Southeastern (8-6, 4-4 PSL East Division 2). West Side Academy is 0-11, 0-7.

Detroit University Prep 64, Southfield Bradford Academy 48: Derrick Bryant Jr. had 17 points and seven assists, Tavis Smith had 14 points and five steals and Terrence Bowens scored 13 for University Prep (10-3, 6-1 Charter). John Brantley scored 13 for Bradford Academy (7-5, 3-4).

Detroit Voyageur 51, Taylor Preparatory 3: Angel Gainey had 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and six steals, Lunden Turner had 10 points and 11 rebounds and Brishonna Weeks added 11 points and four steals for Voyageur (9-1).

Ecorse 63, Detroit Community 56: Kyron Carroll had 15 points, Justin Parrish scored 13 and Robert Conner had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Ecorse (3-8, 2-4 MMAC). DeMario Turner scored 16 for Community.

Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 42, Allen Park Inter-City Baptist 41: Anthony George had 17 points and Jackson Walkowiak 10 for Liggett (4-7, 2-3 MIAC Blue). Inter-City Baptist is (1-10, 1-7).

Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy 71, Detroit Old Redford 55: Josh Biggs had 20 points and five steals, Marquez Steele had 11 points and 15 rebounds, and Jordan Moore scored 13 for Academy (8-4, 5-2 Charter). Bobby Walton scored 18 for Redford (6-6, 4-3).

Macomb Dakota 86, Clinton Township Chippewa Vallen 38: Jack Ballantyne had 19 points and 17 rebounds, and Jermaine Jackson Jr. finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Dakota (10-3, 6-0 MAC Red). Tommy Schuster scored 12 for Chippewa Valley (4-8, 2-5).

Marine City Cardinal Mooney 56, Austin Catholic 20: JT Twigg had 10 points for Cardinal Mooney (4-6). Santiago Cardenas had six for Austin Catholic 0-8.

Melvindale 73, Brownstown Woodhaven 66: Motrez Fuster had 27 points for Melvindale (9-3, 6-0 Downriver). Weshaun Warren had 28 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks and Joshua Warren had 24 points and 8 ass (8-4, 5-1).

New Haven 83, Warren Fitzgerald 51: Romeo Weems had 25 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals, Ashton Sherrell had 18 points and 12 rebounds and Eric Williams Jr. had 14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and six steals (11-1, 7-0 MAC Blue). Bryan Gordon had 13 points for Fitzgerald (7-5, 3-4).

Northville 60, South Lyon 31: Collin Latta scored 17 points and Jake Justice 15 for Northville (7-5, 3-3 KLAA Central). Ben Call had eight points for South Lyon (4-8, 2-4).

Riverview Gabriel Richard 48, Detroit Cristo Rey 42: Tim Augustyniak scored 16 and Eric Wiggington nine for Gabriel Richard (11-0, 6-0 Catholic League). Jaylen Woodley had 11 points for Cirsto Rey (3-7, 2-4).

Romulus 91, Redford Thurston 57: Braden Morgan had 16 points and Jaren English finished with 15 for Romulus (10-2, 5-0 WWAC Blue). Malik Hill scored 20 for Thurston (4-7, 1-4).

Taylor Kennedy 64, Southgate Anderson 57: Nathan Braley had 18 points and Renaudd Broaden 16 for Kennedy (3-7, 3-3 Downriver). Jace Matkin scored 17 for Anderson (7-4, 4-3).

Utica Ford 72, Utica 61: Mario Djeljaj had 23 points and Donnie Schuster added 20 for Ford (7-4, 6-0 MAC White). Gabe Garbarino scored 14 for Utica (1-10, 0-5).

Walled Lake Central 55, Waterford Kettering 42: Houston Tucker scored 20 and Runako Ziegler 15 for Central (8-4, 4-2 KLAA North). Zach Belz had 12 points for Kettering (0-10, 0-6).

Warren De La Salle 71, Birmingham Brother Rice 51: Luke Pfromm had 19 points and Ryan Anderson added 11 for De La Salle (7-5, 3-2 Catholic League). Brother Rice is 5-7, 0-5.

Warren Michigan Collegiate 72, Romulus Summit Academy 56: Jaylen Branch scored 20, Ty Lawrence 13 and Jordan Davis 11 for Michigan Collegiate (13-2, 7-0 Charter). Keyon Wright scored 20 for Academy (6-7, 2-5).

Warren Mott 60, Roseville 55: Charles Johnson Jr. had 31points and Tyler Dillury 11 for Mott (6-5, 4-3 MAC White). Martell Turner had 19 points for Roseville (4-7, 1-5).

Wayne Memorial 67, Plymouth 64 (OT): Keion Epps scored 17 and Rashad Williams 12 for Memorial (9-2, 5-1 KLAA South). Anthony Crump had 17 points and Tariq Woody scored 16 for Plymouth (5-7, 2-4).

Al Willman is a freelance writer; Detroit News staff contributed.