Fenton Basketball Team Clinches Metro League Title

junior Devan Beagle knows what his role is off the bench for the Tigers — be ready for anything.

Trailing visiting Brandon by as many as eight in the first half, Beagle's on-ball defense and energy off the bench helped slow Brandon's hot early shooting and gave Fenton a needed jolt. The Tigers used a strong defensive effort in the second half, including holding Brandon to just seven points in the fourth quarter, to beat the Blackhawks 65-53 and clinch the team's third straight Metro League title.

"Devan Beagle and Damon Thomas were huge for us," said Fenton coach Tim Olszewski. "The energy and intensity they played with really helped our defense."

Beagle, who did everything from guard Brandon's primary ball-handler to rebound to dive for loose balls and even hit a corner 3-pointer, said it was simply a matter of keeping himself ready for any situation.

"My main role for this team is to be a practice player," Beagle said. "On the bench, I just stay ready whenever my number might be called. I have to be ready to bring that energy whenever I get on the court."

Fenton trailed early largely to hot shooting by Brandon's Joe Tysick, who scored 15 points, all on threes, including four threes in the first half.

"They shot 78 percent on threes in the first half," Olszewski said. "And they were shooting them from deep. We were getting hands up, there's just not much we can do when they're hitting shots like that."

After trailing by three at the half, Fenton's defense improved and the Tigers opened the third by scoring the first six points to take a three point lead which they held until the fourth.

Sparked by Ryan Hickoff, who led all scorers with 19, Fenton pulled away in the opening minutes of the fourth. Conor Muntin hit a jumper to give Fenton a five point lead and Ryan Hickoff hit a three to stretch it to eight.

Moments later, after Brandon had cut it to five with a 3-pointer, Charle Herzog hit a layup then blocked a shot at the other end. Eric Mowery then found a cutting Dylan Hickoff for a layup and Ryan Hickoff stole the inbounds pass and was fouled, hitting both free throws to give Fenton a nine-point lead with just over three minutes left.

Fenton's defense then held Brandon scoreless over the final three minutes.

Dylan Hickoff and Thomas each scored nine points and Mowery, who has been a member of all three of Fenton's Metro title teams, scored eight points.

"It feels good," Mowery said. "We had that goal set at the beginning of the year. We didn't want to share like we did the last two years, we wanted it outright, so it feels great."

Editor's note: Be sure to watch the attached video for highlights of the game.

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