Balanced Scoring, Pressure Defense Leads Fenton Girls

After a disheartening 20-point loss to first place Clio in January, the girls' basketball team took out its frustration on its next two opponents.

Fenton (11-3, 9-2 Metro League) has won its last two games by a combined score of 119-45, including Friday's 53-24 win over Linden. The Tigers have not allowed double-digit scoring in a quarter by an opponent in eight straight quarters.

"It wasn't a really smooth game tonight," said Fenton coach Brad DeWitt. "When it came down to it, we just did the things we had to to win."

Linden hung around in the first half largely because their full-court press was able to force a few turnovers and the Eagles were able to get several looks in close range. Fenton's defense, however, tightened in the third quarter, holding Linden scoreless in the quarter until the final minute.

"It was just good anticipation by the kids," DeWitt said. "Hard work, hustling and understanding and trusting each other on the court."

Fenton was led by Gabrielle Rivette with 15 points. Alyssa Ostrowski had 10, Payton Maxheimer scored seven and Sam Granger and Julie Gilbert had six each.

Fenton was able to control the game, in part, because the Tigers have several players capable of handling the ball and breaking pressure, which led to some easy baskets against Linden.

"We got the ball in the right hands," DeWitt said. "We did a pretty good job with their pressure tonight."

With two league losses, both to Clio, who is undefeated in the league, and just four games remaining, Fenton's only hope for a league title rests on other teams upsetting the Mustangs. Instead, the team is simply focused on getting better and prepared for the postseason.

"We can't worry about Clio, that's out of our hands," DeWitt said. "We have to take care of our end. We have tough games coming up, and we have to get better on offense. It has been at kind of a stall right now, but we just have to work at it and keep grinding."