You can go
home again
2/28/04
When they write the history books and the annals of Novi basketball are
chronicled for all to see, there will probably be a little footnote on
the 2004 season when the team played their home contests at a nice
little facility on the grounds of the city’s Middle School.
The friendly confines on the corner of Wixom and 11 mile proved to be a
nice venue for the Wildcat faithful, and when Anthony Harbin’s slam dunk
with 1 second to go put the capper on an impressive come from behind
victory over Hartland, the season ended just like it started, in
victorious fashion…with an exclamation point!
For the seniors of Novi HS, that was their last home game. For the
underclassmen, it was their last game at their temporary home, as the
Cats will move back to the main performance gym in 2005.
But for the rest of us, the memories we take from this ephemeral period
will be heartfelt and noteworthy. The Wildcats now sport an impressive
16-2 record, and for the returning players, they have presided over a
gaudy 37-5 record over the past two years. In fact, most agreed that
last year’s team would be a tough act to follow, but give the boys their
due, this story is right out of central casting.
The Wildcats were a sparkling 9-1 in the home away from home this year,
and much props are due to the parents, friends and family, and students
in the community that supported the team.
As Coach Schluter and his squad look ahead, the belief is that this
talented team could play as many as 7 or 8 more games, as I look for
them to have success in their Districts and beyond.
But of course, they first have to take care of Milford and Pinckney on
the road as they did at home. Then it will be off to Canton and the
playoffs, and they could face some of the same teams they played earlier
and defeated, at home.
I have a lot of faith in the group, though. And anywhere they play, the
court is still 94 feet long, the baskets are 10 feet high, and the kids
will play as big as they need to play.
I personally will miss, and reflect on the short time we spent at the
Novi Middle School home court. I’ll also think about the great thrills
our sons gave us, and when they’re back in the old home next year, I’ll
find myself reminiscing.
But in the meantime, there’s one thing I know for sure about the 2004
Novi Wildcats. They want to be a tough act to follow for next year’s
team as well.
…Stay tuned.
(c) 2004 Novi
Information Network
www.novi.org
___________________________________
Bernie Fratto is a freelance writer, radio personality, and
motivational speaker. His passion for sports comes in part from
his experience as a former Cincinnati Red farm- hand. "Behind
every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real human beings"
said Fratto. "These athletic endeavors often serve as a
metaphor for the game we call life."
Bernie is also the voice of Novi Wildcat Hockey
and host of Wildcat Face-off, a local
radio program dedicated to youth sports in Novi.
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