Sophomores shine in Hartland-Howell girls basketball district clash

HOWELL — This season’s version of the Hartland-Howell girls basketball rivalry was dominated by Lilly Williams, a Michigan State University recruit who averaged 20.7 points in three games.

The future of the rivalry was on display when the teams clashed in a Division 1 district semifinal on Wednesday, March 4 at Howell High School.

The spotlight over the next two seasons will be on talented sophomores Lyla Valentine of Howell and Brinley Neuer of Hartland.

Neuer scored 11 of her team-high 20 points to keep Hartland in the game early against a team ranked No. 1 in the state across all divisions by the Detroit Free Press.

Valentine had eight of her 15 points early in the game, appearing quite at ease in her first high school postseason game, to jump-start Howell in a 63-35 victory over Hartland.

“To be honest, I don’t feel too much pressure,” said Valentine who, like Williams, was homeschooled prior to this season. “I go out there and have fun. I’ve played in a lot of big games. I’ve just gotta do my thing.”

On a team led by two outstanding seniors in Williams and Gabby Piepho, Valentine has been an underrated key to the success of a team that improved to 22-1 and extended its winning streak to 18 games by beating Hartland.

She has run the point for the Highlanders with the poise of a veteran, doesn’t hesitate to shoot from 3-point range and averages 8.9 points per game.

RELATED:Which Livingston County wrestlers have best shot at state championships?

RELATED:What the KLAA-SEC merger means for existing KLAA schools

“My confidence level has grown because of all the people around me who believe in me here,” Valentine said. “They all push me to be the best I can be.

“It’s practice, doing the work, doing the hours outside the gym, so when you’re on the court it translates. You’re not doing something you haven’t done before.”

Valentine scored her points in spurts, getting eight in the first three minutes and the other seven in the third quarter when Howell extended a 31-24 halftime lead to 50-28.

“They were really keying on Lily and Gabby hard,” Howell coach Jason Piepho said. “Lyla will take advantage of it. You leave her open, she’s lethal. I thought we did a good job finding her. She stayed aggressive all game long. Having a savvy ballhandler, a high-I.Q. kid, allows us to continue doing some stuff.”

While Neuer is also a sophomore, she is one of the most experienced players on a young Hartland roster.

This was the sixth postseason game for Neuer, who averaged 11 points during four playoff games last season when she helped a veteran Hartland team reach the regional championship game. Over her last five playoff games, she’s averaged 15 points.

“She’s our best player,” Hartland coach Michael McKay said. “She works hard in practice. She buys into what we’re trying to do. She brings her teammates along. She’s a great teammate. Great things are in store for her in the future.”

Neuer could be the top player in Livingston County over the next two seasons, though Valentine will also be in that conversation. Neuer averaged 13.1 points this season, including a 19.2 average over her last five games.

“You’ve got to know your role,” Neuer said. “Last year, we had a lot of key players; it was easier to score. This year, we have a good defense, a lot of athletic players. You have to know who you’re passing to and find your open shots.”

Despite the loss, there is optimism that Hartland could be the team celebrating a district championship a year from now.

While Piepho and Williams will move on to play in college, Hartland doesn’t graduate a single player. The Eagles went 15-9, including an 11-3 stretch heading into Wednesday’s game, with a team comprised of four freshmen, six sophomores and four juniors.

“I look forward to it,” Neuer said. “We’re going to have the same exact team next year. I’m looking forward to a better connection. It’ll be fun.”

Williams had 24 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocks to lead Howell. Norah Hull had eight points off the bench.

Howell will host Milford and former coach Tim Olszewski in the district championship game at 7 p.m. Friday, March 6. Milford (19-4) extended its winning streak to eight games with a 41-31 victory over Fenton in the other semifinal. Milford finished second to South Lyon East in the Lakes Valley Conference.

The winner will advance to the regional semifinals against the Belleville-Salem winner at 7 p.m. Monday, March 9 at Northville High School.

Contact Bill Khan at [email protected]. Follow him on X @BillKhan

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Sophomores shine in Hartland-Howell girls basketball district clash