Basketball Recap: Max Brannon's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Lutheran over Novi Christian Academy

Lutheran was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They were four points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 53-49 heartbreaker at the hands of the Novi Christian Academy Warriors. Lutheran was given a dose of their own medicine in this game as Novi Christian Academy apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in February of 2024.

Max Brannon

Rebounds (Career)

02/03/25 @ Novi Christian Academy	6
01/14/25 @ Clarenceville	5
01/24/25 @ Hope Christian Academy	4
01/30/25 @ Parkway Christian	3
01/07/25 @ Whitmore Lake	3

Lutheran's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Max Brannon, who went 6 of 14 on his way to 16 points in addition to six boards and three steals. Those six rebounds gave Brannon a new career-high. John Vermeulen was another key player, putting up ten points and three steals.

Even though they lost, Lutheran smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 11 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive boards in nine consecutive contests.

Lutheran's loss dropped their record down to 2-13. As for Novi Christian Academy, their win bumped their record up to 6-9.

Lutheran wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 90-39 defeat against Whitmore Lake on the 4th. Novi Christian Academy has also already played their next game (against Hope Christian Academy), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing.