Ten Best: Novi vs White Lake Lakeland
This game was a tale of two halves. In the first half, White Lake Lakeland gave Novi all it could handle. However, in the second half, Novi pulled away, defeating the Eagles by a final score of 74-55. Trendon Hankerson, Traveon Maddox Jr. and Tariq Woody led Novi, combining for 49 of the teams 74 points. The Wildcats knocked down 13 three pointers in the game. For Lakeland, Cass Phillips was outstanding, scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Novi will take on Ann Arbor Skyline on Wednesday at Salem High School.
Trendon Hankerson (Novi)
Hankerson was outstanding throughout the game, collecting 21 points and grabbing five rebounds while playing really well defensively. The senior guard knocked down four of the teams 13 three pointers. On Wednesday, he will have a tough matchup with Skyline’s backcourt of Brandon Wade and Jack Ammerman.
Cass Phillips (Lakeland)
Phillips has nothing to hang his head about, as he did just about everything possible to keep the Eagles in the game. The senior dropped 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He is ranked as Prep Hoops’ No. 39 overall prospect for the state of Michigan in the class of 2018 and he proved why on Monday night. He is very active around the glass and a pretty good finisher around the rim.
Traveon Maddox Jr. (Novi)
On Novi’s first possession of the game, Maddox Jr. isolated himself on the right wing, took a quick hesitation dribble and then drained a three pointer in the face of the defender. He made four 3-pointers in the game and some of them were pretty deep. Maddox is ranked as Prep Hoops’ No. 19 overall prospect in the state of Michigan for the class of 2018, and I’m excited to see him matchup with Skyline’s excellent backcourt.
Tariq Woody (Novi)
Like Maddox, Phillips and Hankerson, Woody is a top 75 player in the state of Michigan for the class of 2018. He was very efficient against the Eagles, scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Woody’s performance was overshadowed by the play of the three names above, but he was excellent. Woody is a good rebounder that uses his big body to his advantage.
Jiovanni Miles (Novi)
Against the Eagles, Miles poured in 11 points and grabbed two rebounds. He was the beneficiary of Novi’s great ball movement, as he knocked down three 3-pointers. His jumper looks very smooth and the ball looks like it’s going in every time. He’s an X factor for Novi, because when he’s shooting like this, the Wildcats are a very scary team.
Blake King (Novi)
King isn’t going to beat you scoring the ball. What he is going to do is physically dominate you on every possession. He’s listed as 6-foot-3, but he has a muscular frame that allows him to dominate the glass. He finished the game with three points and eight rebounds. King knocked down one three pointer in the game, but he’s most valuable around the rim.
Trent Farquhar (Lakeland)
Phillips was by far Lakeland’s best player, but Farquhar knocked down some timely shots, which helped keep the score close at half. He finished the game with 8 points. Lakeland got down 16-4 early, but Farquhar knocked down two big 3-pointers in the first half to get the Eagles back in the game. In the second half, Novi ramped up its defensive pressure and forced Lakeland into tough shots, making it very difficult to come back.
Cody McComas (Lakeland)
Novi dominated the boards in this game, thanks in large part to Woody and King, but McComas collected six rebounds and scored five points. Three of his five points came from the free throw line, but he was playing aggressive and wasn’t afraid to battle for loose balls and rebounds.
Connor Snell (Lakeland)
Against Novi, Snell finished with seven points and grabbed two rebounds. Novi’s defensive pressure made it really hard for Lakeland to get the ball moving, and a lot of their points came from the inside and the free throw line. Snell was the teams third leading scorer in the game and his contributions early on allowed Phillips to get more open looks inside.
Nik Williams (Novi)
Williams didn’t get a ton of playing time, but when he was on the floor, he was making an impact. He finished the game with five points, and like the entire Wildcats team, he was playing well defensively. Hes a good role player for Novi, due to his ability to knock down outside shots and defend.