Hartland junior Parker Sundman missed his first nine shots.
Northville (11-5 overall, 7-2 in league play) made some incredible shots, especially from deep to race past Hartland, 63-55 and edge past Brighton (6-2) for second place in the KLAA West Division.
The Mustangs were also a little hungrier and tougher as they got the majority of 50-50 balls and controlled the offensive glass.
That was the bad news that came out of the Eagles Nest.
The good news is that every time I walk out of this gym I have a good feeling about the future for Hartland (8-8, 3-6). The Eagles are going to be good in football and basketball next year.
Let’s stick to basketball for now. All but six points Friday were scored by underclassmen who are likely to return next season. Sundman was held scoreless in the first half but heated up in the second to finish with 22 points – 16 in the third quarter.
Six-foot-8 junior forward Layne Broker comes off the bench and plays like a bull in a China shop. He protects the rim well and finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. He is a hustle guy, but Broker is slow, deliberate and awkward on the floor. However, he overcomes that with strength, determination and the will to produce.
Every time I see him play he fills the state sheet and makes some of the biggest plays in the game. So it appears as if Hartland is going to be good next season.
Hartland coach Kevin Blouin said not to fall asleep on his team this season. The Eagles have been healthy for a couple weeks and are getting better every day.
“It absolutely can happen this year,” Blouin said. “Tip your hat to Northville. They shot a very high percentage from three. We played a pretty good game, but to beat a great team you have to play great. I like where we’re at right now.”
Northville hit eight threes in the first three quarters to race to a 49-34 lead. Sundman got hot but his 16 points in the third quarter was not enough. The loss places Hartland in a tough spot. The Eagles (3-4) sit in sixth place in the KLAA West and play host to first place Novi (7-1) on Tuesday before traveling to Plymouth (1-8) next Friday.
Key games against rivals Howell (4-4) and Brighton (6-2) remain. Hartland lost to Howell by five points earlier in the season and by three to Brighton. Both games are winnable, but the Eagles must be tougher on the boards and Sundman cannot get off to another horrific start.