Novi grinds out big win over Livonia Stevenson (Recap)

Novi had a rough start to their season starting out 0-4.

The Wildcats were searching for an identity and needed a marquee win.

Livonia Stevenson came to town putting their undefeated 8-0 start on the line and records were thrown out as soon as the ball was tipped off.

The first quarter was all Trendon Hankerson as he got going early and put in seven of his 16 in the first to give the Wildcats an early 17-16 lead and let the Spartans know they had to earn this one.

The second quarter was again back and fourth but saw the Spartans Devin Dunn heat up hitting a couple of threes in a quarter which he scored 13 of the teams 21 points to give the lead back to the Spartans 37-36 at the half.

The third was again tight as the teams were trading buckets between Jiovanni Miles/Trendon Hankerson of Novi and Devin Dunn of Stevenson kept his streak going pouring in seven more points in the third.

Stevenson was clinging on to a one point 54-53 edge going into the fourth. That's when Novi behind clutch free throw shooting of Hankerson, Miles, Traevon Maddox, and Tariq Woody were the difference. The four Wildcats went 10-for-12 at the line in fourth to seal the victory for the Wildcats, while also holding the Spartans to just seven fourth quarter points in the 71-61 victory.

Hankerson, Miles, and Woody were huge offensively with 16, 18, and 16 points for the Wildcats while Dunn lead the Spartans with a game high 24 points.

Other key players were Blake King and Brett Mackey for the Wildcats who made tons of hustle plays diving for loose balls and Maddox who did about everything and was making the extra pass for teammates. Thomas Demels of Stevenson looked good giving a much bigger Woody tons of problems in the paint and made him earn all his points.

Novi (3-5) travels to Hartland (3-6) next on Friday. Stevenson (8-1) looks to bounce back after their first loss of the season in another tough game in a showdown at Grand Blanc (5-3) on Friday.