Canton's girls basketball team is presented the KLAA Kensington Conference trophy following Tuesday's 46-33 victory over Novi.

BY ED WRIGHT
Feb. 23, 2010, 10:20 p.m.

  Canton's girls basketball team has built a season-long reputation for its shut-down defense.

  In Tuesday's KLAA Kensington Conference title game against Novi, the Chiefs displayed their shut-out defense.

  Using a tenacious man-to-man scheme, Canton held the powerful Wildcats scoreless in the fourth quarter to win the Kensington crown going away, 46-33.

  The 18-1 Chiefs earned a berth in Thursday's KLAA Association championship contest at Howell, the Lakes Conference titleist.

  Novi, which slipped to 17-2, pulled to within 33-29 two minutes into the third quarter on Alyssa Armiak's back-door layup.

  But the Chiefs answered with two quick baskets -- a Melanie Pickert jumper and two free throws from Kayla Bridges -- to extend their lead to 37-29.

  A fade-away jumper from Kelsey Masserant closed Novi's deficit to 37-31, but Canton outscored the Wildcats 5-2 to close out the quarter.

  Canton's defense took over in the fourth quarter, holding Novi to zero-for-six shooting while forcing five Wildcat turnovers.

  Junior reserve forward Kayla Bridges paced the Chiefs' scoring attack with 10 points. She also hauled down a team-high seven rebounds.

  Junior forward Kari Schmitt added nine points, five rebounds and four steals while Pickert added eight points.

  Masserant was stellar for Novi, posting 17 points and 10 boards. Armiak also played well for the Wildcats, contributing 10 points and a couple of steals.

  Canton was clicking early on the offensive end of the court when it raced to a 19-11 lead after one quarter. The Chiefs pushed the lead to 24-13 on a Kari Schmitt steal and layup with 5:30 left in the half.

  After switching to a zone defense, Novi stormed back during the final four minutes of the half behind Masserant and Armiak, who brought the Wildcats to within 31-27 at the half.

  The Chiefs came out in the second half with a patient approach, taking 1:41 off the clock on their first possession, which was capped by a Pickert driving layup.

  After Armiak's back-door layup brought the Wildcats to within four, the closest they'd get to the Chiefs the rest of the night.

  Canton shot well from the field, connecting on 20 of 43 shots (46.5 percent). Novi drained 15 of 41 field goals (36.5 percent).

  The Chiefs were six of 13 from the free throw line. The Wildcats made three of their four free throw attempts.

  Canton took care of the ball all night, committing just six turnovers. Novi made 14 miscues.