Faces Change, Ambitions Stay the Same for Fenton Basketball

No matter who is in the 's lineup, the core values are pretty simple: play tough defense and move the ball on offense.

Fenton, looking for its fourth straight , certainly has the returning talent to keep the team in the race all season. But to capture that fourth straight championship, the Tigers will need contributions from newcomers as well, and early in the season, things are going well.

In Wednesday's 56-38 win over Davison, junior Cory Cox, who moved to Fenton from Flushing, led the way. He scored inside and outside for Fenton, grabbing 10 rebounds and finishing plays close to the basket. He also hit a 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to extend Fenton's lead back to double figures after Davison made a small run to cut the deficit below 10.

"I'm happy with the progress we're making," said Fenton coach Tim Olszewski. "We have a mix of guys in the lineup with experience, we have a couple guys who moved here and we have some guys up from JV last year, so we're still getting used to each other, but the positive thing is everyone gets along great, and that helps a lot."

The offense is now in the hands of another junior transfer, Mitch Shegos. Shegos has taken over at point guard for graduated four-year starter Eric Mowery. Although is style is a bit different than Mowery's and he's a bigger player, Shegos still understands the fundamental job of the point guard.

"I'm out there to take care of the ball," Shegos said. "I am always looking to set guys up, to play good defense and to just put us in position to make plays."

Although he's a selfless passer, Shegos is also capable of getting his own offense. He has the ability to push the pace and get all the way to the rim, but he can also knock down open jumpers. He also hit a late 3-pointer to quell a small Davison run Wednesday.

"I like to play up-tempo, at a fast pace," Shegos said. "We have a lot of good players and I'm just trying to blend with them."

Fenton had another stout defensive effort against Davison, holding the Cardinals to no field goals in the first seven minutes and just 12 first half points. This comes after Fenton held Lapeer East to just 29 points on Monday. Fenton also held Linden and below 40 points in wins earlier this season.

"We pride ourselves on our defense," Olszewski said. "We have to rebound better than we have been, but our guys have been working hard on defense."

Fenton's only league loss came in overtime against Kearsley last week, but there is great parity at the top of the league this season. Fenton, Holly, Swartz Creek, Lapeer West and Kearsley all have one or fewer losses this season. Kearlsey has beaten both Fenton and Swartz Creek, but lost to West. Swartz Creek has beaten West. Holly is the league's only undefeated team.

Fenton is off until Jan. 6, but then begins a crucial stretch of games. They host Lapeer West Jan. 6 and Holly Jan. 9, then play at Swartz Creek Jan. 13.

"The league is very good this year," Olszewski said. "It's going to be really competitive, but it has been that way the last few years."