Northville falls short in Class D title game

TROY — Northville came up one victory short in its bid for a NYSPHSAA Class D girls’ basketball championship, dropping a 5434 decision to top-ranked Hammond on Sunday at Hudson Valley Community College’s Mcdonough Complex.

The setback brings to an end a magical season for the Falcons in which they won their first Section II championship since 1997 under the direction of legendary coach Jim Zullo.

“I’m disappointed, but I tend to forget that we have one senior, a freshman, a couple of sophomores and the rest are juniors and we’re very, very inexperienced,” Zullo said. “When we play a team like Hammond, it shows. I hope we’ll be back next year and get this right.”

Northville standout Hailey Monroe was the focus of Hammond’s defense and the Red Devils’ efforts paid off in holding her to 12 points on 3-of-19 shooting, well below her season average.

Despite the loss, Monroe was proud of all that her team was able to accomplish this year.

“We had a really good season,” Monroe said. “I mean, we started with six kids, so nobody expected us to get this far. To do that for our program for the first time in a very long time is crazy. It’s nice.”

The victory gave Hammond its second consecutive state Class D championship. The Red Devils also went back-to-back in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

“We’re so small and we get pounded on the boards,” Zullo said. “It takes a lot of energy, and we get tired, and then you can’t make shots. They’re a very good team and just killed us inside.”

Hammond center Landree Kenyon was especially effective inside, scoring 29 points and grabbing 20 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end.

“She’s a good player,” Zullo said. “Our biggest player is 5-4, so she’s got seven inches on us. It’s not a good matchup for us, but I thought we still did a pretty good job on her most of the time. Their guard (Ava Howie) hurt us more than she did.”

Howie was indeed a thorn in the Falcons’ side, especially in the first half when she scored 15 of her 20 points.

“She’s very good,” Zullo said of Howie. “She gets her shot off real fast and I was very impressed with her. Both of them are very good players. That’s why they’re No. 1 in the state.”

Monroe agreed that Hammond’s size advantage played a major role in the outcome.

“We tried a lot of ball fakes, but then that messes your own timing up, so the height was definitely something,” Monroe said. “You’re playing a six-footer and you’re only five-foot, so you have to adapt.”

With Monroe being held in check, the Red Devils were able to take advantage and seize a 18-9 lead