Fenton is the team to beat in Linden district
March 6, 2023
Fenton is the best team in the Linden Class A boys basketball district which will be blanketed by WHMI-FM in cover-to-cover coverage. Therefore, the Eagles have the shortest odds to advance to regionals next week.
Fenton got a first-round bye and will be off until Wednesday (7 pm) when it faces the winner of the Howell-Linden opening round game to be played Monday (6 pm). Holly (17-5) is also dangerous. Holly upset Fenton in the Flint Metro League championship game, snapping a three-game losing streak to the Tigers.
Here is a breakdown of participants and their odds of advancing to the Clarkston regional the following week.
FENTON (16-6): Guards Sam Dillard and Ja’Hion Bond are the best players in our coverage area. Dillard is a more natural scorer and Bond improved his play making skills. Forward Justin Banura is another dangerous man who can provide scoring punch inside. ODDS: 5-1
HOLLY (17-5): Finally, the Bronchos beat Fenton in the Flint Metro League championship game. But can they do it again? The Holly boys were motivated because they lost three straight basketball games to Fenton and were eliminated in the football playoffs by the same team.
Now the shoe is on a different foot. Fenton has the motivation. Holly is dangerous when it is hitting threes. But there are times when the three-point shot isn’t falling and there isn’t enough offense elsewhere to put them over the top. Ka’Vion Smith can score in bunches and Holly gets good guard play from Bowen Moore and Tony Simmons. ODDS: 7-1
HOWELL (14-7): The Highlanders offense might be kicking up at the right time. They have averaged a tick above 60 points a game during a season-ending three-game winning streak. They must win on the defensive end. Guard Logan Leppek is the leader of the pack. ODDS: 20-1.
LINDEN: Linden has one of the top sophomore centers in the state in 6-foot-8 Jase Becher. If he gets hot watch out. ODDS: 50-1.
LINDEN DISTRICT
MONDAY
LINDEN (5-16) VS. HOWELL (14-7) 6 PM
WEDNESDAY
HOLLY (17-5) VS. HARTLAND (6-16) 5:30 PM
LINDEN-HOWELL WINNER VS FENTON (16-6) 7 PM.
FRIDAY
FINAL (6 PM)