1981-1982 Linden High Boys Basketball Team

The 1981-1982 Linden High School Boys Basketball Team is considered one of the best
boys basketball teams ever at Linden High School. Their 29-3 overall record and 15-0
league record go down as the best in Linden High School history. Led by four seniors,
seven juniors and one sophomore, Coach Mike Zaklan was poised for what he thought
might be a special season.

His guarded optimism was rewarded early on as the Lions started the season strong
winning their first 7 games, including the Jackson pre-season tournament. A three point
loss to Atwater ended the winning streak but the Lions rebounded to win two of the next
three games to complete the preseason 9-2. Pre-season wins over league foes Amador
and Jackson along with a 13 point victory against perennial power Vanden, gave the
Lions confidence as they headed into league play.

The Lions proceeded to dominate their five MLL foes by beating all of them three times
each during the league schedule. The Lions averaged a 13.5 point margin of victory
during the league season with the closest margin being a three point overtime victory
against the 1980-1981 defending league champion Summerville. The Lions earned a
CIF playoff berth and, following a Section Tournament bye, a home playoff game.
But before the playoffs began, the Lions were invited to the Lassen Invitational
Tournament of Champions in Susanville. The Division A Lions faced a daunting task as
they would be facing all Division AA opponents and all with players much taller than the
Lions. When the Lions arrived in Susanville, everyone was asking “Where’s Linden?”
But the Lions set the tone for the tournament right off the bat with a thrilling two-point
victory over Colfax, 82-80. Next up, was the Westside League champ Corning and once
again the Lions came away with a close victory, 55-50, vaulting them into the
tournament title game against Lincoln of Lincoln. Lincoln, starting two players 6’-7” and
6’-5” tall, posed a size challenge to the Lions. But the Lions speed, accurate outside
shooting and up-tempo game proved too much for Lincoln, as the Lions scored a 59-55
victory to take the tournament championship. By then, no one was asking where Linden
was!

With the Lassen Tournament Championship under their belts, the Lions were ready for
the CIF playoffs. Playing the opening quarterfinal game in front of the home crowd at
Lion Gym, the Lions faced off with the Superior League runner-up Justin of Napa. Justin
gave the Lions everything they wanted and more. With 10 seconds to go and the Lions
clinging to 62-61 lead, the Lions fouled a Justin player while shooting, sending the
Braves player to the line for two shots and a chance to upset the favored Lions. Thanks
to two critical timeouts called by Coach Zaklan, the Braves player missed both shots and
the Lions were off to the semi-finals.

The Lions semi-final opponent was a familiar foe, league rival Summerville. Though
finishing the MLL league season 7-8 and in third place, the Bears nevertheless earned a
playoff berth. Winning two playoff games against teams with better records prior to
meeting the Lions gave the Bears the confidence that they would not fall to the Lions for
the fourth time in two months. Coach Zaklan was worried that the Lions past success

against the Bears would make them overconfident and as the game began those fears
proved to be true. Every time the Lions would take a slight lead, the Bears would
answer back. At the half, the Bears led by two, 25-23. But inspired by a large, noisy
Linden crowd at the Tokay High gym, the Lions outscored the Bears 18-9 in the third
quarter. However, as the fourth quarter began, the Lions ran into foul trouble. The
Bears took advantage, working their way back to a tie game with 1:18 remaining. In the
days before the shot clock, the Lions decided to play for the last shot. But with 18
seconds remaining, the Lions turned the ball over. Following a time out, the Bears ran
the length of the court and scored a basket with 12 seconds remaining to take a two
point lead. The Lions battled back and had a chance to tie the game with 5 seconds
remaining with two free throws. The first free throw was good but the Lions chance at the
Section title agonizingly slipped away as the second free throw bounced twice on the rim
before falling out. Two last second free throws by the Bears made the final 53-50.

Though disappointed that their chance at a Section Championship had slipped away, the
Lions re-grouped the next night to beat Orestimba High 78-70 to take third place in the
Section Tournament, completing the best season in Linden High School Boys Basketball
history. The success of the 1981-1982 team would carry over in the following years as
the Lions won the MLL Championship 3 of the next 4 seasons.

The Linden Athletic Hall of Fame is proud and honored to induct the 1981-1982 Boys
Basketball Team into its Athletic Hall of Fame.