Fenton dispatches rival Holly to clinch FML title
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
HOLLY — Fenton had a chance clinch a league title in hostile territory Tuesday night and the Tigers had a feast.
Behind a 36-25 second half and some keen three-point shooting, Fenton pulled away from holly for a 60-39 Flint Metro League victory, which gave the Tigers at least a share of their fourth straight league crown.
“We picked the worst night to shoot as bad as we did,” said Holly coach Lance Baylis. “Hats off to Fenton because they shot really well and we didn’t. They deserved to win.”
DENIED: Holly's Austin Hopkin and the Bronchos could not remain in the FML title hunt Tuesday night, falling to Fenton, 60-39. Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotograophy.com
Fenton (15-1, 13-1) handed Holly its second straight loss and swept the Bronchos (11-5, 10-4) in the regular season.
Ryan Hickoff scored 16 points to lead Fenton. Eric Redmon added 13 points and Dylan Hickoff scored 11 points for the Tigers, who finished 17-for-22 from the charity stripe.
Fenton led 21-15 late in the first half before Redman drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a nine-point (24-15) lead at the half.
Cory Cox (nine points) and Dylan Hickoff opened up the third quarter with a pair of long-distance bombs to up the lead to 30-15 and the tigers never looked back.
Fenton outscored Holly 21-13 in the third quarter for a 45-28 lead entering the final quarter. The Tigers closed with a 15-12 surge.
Senior Jared Plawski scored 12 and freshman Isaac Casillas added eight points for Holly. Nic Stoll, Holly’s 6-7 center headed for Michigan Tech, was held to two points in the third quarter, while 6-5 Alex Hopkin scored five second-half points.
“Our two big men were not a factor,” sighed Baylis. “We couldn’t establish any inside game on them. Fenton killed us on the boards, especially on the offensive end. Their three-point shooting killed us, too. They made that three-pointer just before the half and that gave them a nine-point lead instead of a six-point lead and they came out and hit those two quick threes in the third quarter.
“We were just flat and Fenton played like they wanted it,” added Baylis. “Our effort was disappointing.”
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Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Holly, Prep Wraps
