Young guns give Linden a bright future
February 21, 2024
Linden boys’ basketball has lost its last four games against Fenton over the past two years, with three of those losses being by double digits.
That reign of terror should end next season thanks to junior point guard Carter Bushon and his returning sidekicks center Jase Becher and sophomore guard Landon Jones. The Eagles should challenge for their first Metro League Stripes Division title since the 2020-2021 season when they throttled Fenton in their only meeting.
Last week the Eagles lost 81-66 at home to Fenton. It was an almost identical score to their 81-68 loss at Fenton. However, we got a glimpse of the future when Bushon put on a show. He single-handedly got the dangerous Ja’Hion Bond in foul trouble and caused havoc all over the gym.
Bond started the game by harassing Bushon, hoping to strip him of the ball, and starting the landslide early. However, Bushon held steady and held onto the ball drawing two early fouls on Bond.
“Carter is our energy guy,” said Linden Coach Matt Christensen. “He controls the tempo of the game in transition. And you see him make plays when the game is on the line. He is that sneaky guy you don’t see coming.”
Bushon played junior varsity last season and Linden’s varsity finished 5-17. With him on the big club Linden enjoys a bounce back 8-5 record heading into its Thursday league cross over home game against Ortonville Brandon (4-14).
“Carter puts in the work in the off season,” Christensen said. “He’s come a long way. We are excited we get him another year.”
SOUTH LYON BOYS GET HOT
## A wise guy warned you that the South Lyon (10-11, 9-6 in the conference) boys team was set to become a danger in the Lakes Valley Conference after a slow start. Since then the Lions have won five of six games with their only loss coming by one point to rival South Lyon East.
The Lions have a showdown game Friday at Milford (14-7, 11-4) who will finish third in the conference and is still stinging from an overtime road loss at South Lyon.
SNEAKY HOWELL WINS GIRLS DIVISION CROWN
## The Howell girls appeared left for dead after a recent loss at Brighton left them in third place in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West Division behind Brighton and Canton. However, Howell Coach Jason Piepho did not give up hope because he knew every team is vulnerable in the unpredictable conference.
Howell (10-4) won its last three games of the regular season while Brighton (9-5) and Canton (9-5) lost two of their final three games to allow Howell to slip by them.
Last place teams played a big role in determining a champion. Novi (3-11) in last place at the time beat Brighton to prevent the Bulldogs from sharing the title with Howell. Howell clinched the title by hanging on for dear life, 45-43, at last place Northville (2-12).