Novi hands Plymouth first-round
KLAA playoff setback, 54-40

Feb. 20, 2010, 1:05 a.m.

  Plymouth's boys basketball team looked more rusted than rested Friday night following a week off from competitive action.

   The Wildcats dropped a 54-40 decision to Novi in a first-round KLAA playoff  match-up at Plymouth High School.

  The loss dropped the Wildcats to 9-8 and into the lower bracket of the KLAA tournament. Novi improved to 14-3 and advanced to Tuesday night's semifinal contest against Wayne Memorial.

  "They came out and played with more energy than we did," lamented Plymouth coach Mike Soukup. "They were hungrier than we were. They went after all the loose balls and got a lot of second-chance points. They played harder than we did. I don't know why."

  Plymouth will travel to South Lyon on Tuesday.

  Novi led from the get-go, jumping to a 12-9 first-quarter lead and 27-18 halftime advantage. The green-clad Wildcats boosted their lead to 42-28 with eight minutes to play.

  Brennen Beyer paced Plymouth with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Mike Nadratowski added 11.

  Samer Ozeir led a balanced Novi attack with 12 points. Justin Hopton chipped in 11.

  Plymouth made 12 of 20 free throws.