Coach Mike Rice and Linden Kick Season off with a Win over College Achieve Regional
photo by: Tamir "Cozy" Fudge
In a gritty showcase of early-season basketball, the Linden Tigers, under the new leadership of coach Mike Rice, clawed their way to a hard-fought 58-52 victory over the College Achieve Regional team. The game, marked Linden's season opener and introduced Jayden Holman as a pivotal figure at the point guard position, stepping in for the graduated Nas Robinson.
Linden's game strategy was evident from the outset, focusing on a tough, defensive gameplay that pivoted around a balanced offense. Holman and Burnam's leadership were crucial, navigating through a challenging game that saw multiple lead changes and intense moments.
The first quarter began with both teams tentatively testing each other's defenses, but Linden's strategy began to materialize as they tightened up and started building a lead in the second quarter. The Tigers, bolstered by an 18-point explosion and took control of the game’s tempo, with notable contributions from Jekhi Burnam and Martin Drejaj, the latter pulling down crucial rebounds and adding key baskets.
College Achieve fought valiantly to close the gap, showcasing a spirited comeback in the final quarter, outscoring Linden 18-16. Frank Hoynowski led the charge for CAPS with crucial baskets and free throws, but it wasn't enough to overhaul Linden's lead.
In the closing moments, Linden's gameplay shone through, with key defensive stops and effective clock management sealing their victory. This win sets a positive tone for Linden's challenging schedule ahead, which includes matchups against strong teams and longtime rivals in Plainfield and Elizabeth.
This game not only highlighted the acumen of Coach Rice but also set the stage for Linden's promising season, with hopes of building on this victory to forge a successful campaign in the competitive landscape of high school basketball.