Fenton AAU Basketball Program Continues to Grow

While the Fenton boys varsity basketball team’s season ended in the first round of districts a couple of weeks ago, the building of the program does not stop.

Fenton varsity basketball coach Tim Olszewski and his staff run eight AAU teams and are hosting tryouts on Sunday.

The program started with four teams and about 30 players four years ago, but now the program boasts eight teams and 100 players. Teams, called the Tri-County Tigers, are for a variety of ages, from 11 and under to 17 and under.

“It definitely gives kids the opportunity to receive quality coaching, competitive play and to play with and against top-notch players from around the state, Ohio and other states,” Olszewski said. “This allows success when players go back to their own leagues.”

Fenton senior Eric Mowery, who starred on the varsity squad with the Tigers,  played for three seasons on the AAU squad.

"I played with the older kids and got to play against really good competition," he said. "It definitely helped a lot."

Rosters are filled with players from Fenton as well as Brighton, Lansing, Flint and all across mid-Michigan. The teams play around 25 games from the end of March until the end of August.

“We pride ourselves on having quality coaches that have coached and even played professionally,” Olszewski said. “We are not the typical AAU program that may not focus on defense and fundamentals. Although this is developing into an organization where top players play, we still stress defense and team play."

Sunday's tryouts will take place at the , 3200 W. Shiawassee Ave. There is a $15 tryout fee, and participants are asked to arrive 30 minutes early to register. For more information, visit www.tricountytigersaau.com. The tryout schedule:

•  11U/12U: 9:30-11 a.m.
• 13U: 10:30-noon
• 14U: 2:30-4 p.m.
• 15U: 2:30-4 p.m.
• 16U/17U: 3:30-5 p.m.