After winning in Linden the previous three years, the boys varsity basketball team looked to repeat its success on Feb. 24 in front of a full crowd at Linden High School score seems out of place here 48-33.

The Tigers held Linden to 15 points in the first half and forced jump shots instead of giving up inside looks, disrupting the Eagle offense in its own building. For the players, this game was different than the usual away match.

Impact Player: senior Nick Wyrick 12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks
Leading scorer: senior Drew Miller, 14 points

“Linden games are completely different from regular games,” senior captain Patrick Conroy said. “The turnout is much better always. The crowd is full, basically one side is Linden and one side is Fenton. Because of that, the Linden vs Fenton games don’t even feel any different on the road or at home. The student section always shows out, home or away.”

The student section, which was so populous it needed more than one section of bleachers to occupy, was standing the entire game. As the game ended, the gym was filled with “Little Brother” chants. The rivalry did not end at the buzzer.

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PHOTO Haley Jackson

“Social media gets crazy when Fenton and Linden play, and the student sections get crazy during the game, things get said that little kids should never hear,” senior Drew Miller said. “Tonight was the biggest game of the season for us. It’s Linden; we hate Linden.”

The importance of the Tigers’ win at Linden was not limited to a personal rivalry, the team needed to win this game to keep playoff chances alive.

“Before the game we were 8-10, and we needed to win this game against Linden and Powers next week to get in the playoffs,” Conroy said. “I think we can win both games, get to .500, and get the confidence we need to play Grand Blanc in the first round of the playoffs.”

While the Tigers settled a personal vendetta against their rival on Friday, the team set its focus on beating Powers and extending its season into March.