PHS Loses to Hopewell Valley 32-29

JAMIE PERETZMAN-It was an auspicious beginning for the Princeton Tigers in their game tonight against Hopewell Valley, but it did not end as they would have liked it to.

Due to an administrative error with the Hopewell score book, a technical foul was called. Skye Ettin, with two seconds elapsed on the score board, knocked down both technical free throws.

Following the technical foul, Princeton and Hopewell jockeyed back and forth for position, one obtaining the lead, then the other. After the first quarter, Hopewell led 10-7.

The rest of the game was that low scoring. After Princeton dominated Hopewell in last year's regular season meeting, this game proved to be an offensive struggle for the Little Tigers.

The team shot a combined 25% from the floor, and had 18 turnovers compared to 4 assists. Ironically, the Little Tigers, a below average free throw shooting team, shot 54.2% from the line, their second highest percentage this season.

Although they had many offensive struggles, their defensive effort was stout. They only allowed 32 points to Hopewell Valley and totaled 9 steals and 5 blocks.

The story for the Little Tigers continues to be when they will put all the pieces together. One night they might have a very strong defensive game while struggling offensively. The next game they might be great offensively but poor defensively. Then, the next they might shoot 60% from the floor while shooting 40% from the free throw line.

The Little Tigers next game is tomorrow against Emily Fisher Charter School.

BOX SCORE:

Skye Ettin-9 points, 2 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 5 Steals

Thatcher Foster-4 Points, 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists

Eric Shorter-6 Points, 4 Rebounds

Eamon Cuddy-4 Points, 2 Rebounds

Jordan Metro-3 Points, 3 Rebounds

Davon Black-3 points, 1 Rebound

Central Jersey Group III Sectional Semi-finals: Princeton High School-55; Monmouth Regional High School-46

BY JAMIE PERETZMAN-


The Seniors just refuse to quit.

Senior captains Brian Dunlap, DeQuan Holman and AJ Dowers are carrying the Tigers on their backs through the playoffs. They have marched them through number four seed Point Pleasant Boro and won. They have marched them through number one seed Monmouth Regional and won. And on Tuesday, they will march them into battle with third seeded Neptune for the Central Jersey Group III sectional championship.

With 5 minutes left in the first quarter, the game was tied 4-4. A couple seconds later PHS went ahead 6-4 and never relinquished the lead.

PHS ran its offense through leading scorer, (17 ppg) DeQuan Holman. Holman kept his composure throughout the entire game and handled the ball very well. Second leading scorer, (13.3 ppg) Brian Dunlap hit 12 out of 15 free throws, many of them with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game, when MRHS started to foul intentionally. Finally, the man in the middle, AJ Dowers had arguably the game of his life scoring 10 points, and bringing down 12 rebounds. He also had 3 blocks.

As this Hoosier-like dream continues, PHS will take on Neptune High School on Tuesday, March, 10 at 7:00 pm at Franklin High School.

BOX SCORE:

BRIAN DUNLAP-21 POINTS, 5 ASSISTS

DEQUAN HOLMAN-12 POINTS, 7 REBOUNDS, 3 ASSISTS

AJ DOWERS-10 POINTS, 12 REBOUNDS, 3 BLOCKS

SKYE ETTIN-6 POINTS, 2 REBOUNDS, 2 ASSISTS

JOSH GORDON-4 POINTS, 3 STEALS

THATCHER FOSTER-2 POINTS

Central Jersey Group III sectional Quarterfinals. Princeton High School-47; Point Pleasant Boro-35

JAMIE PERETZMAN-The Little Tigers are moving on to the Semi-finals in the Group III central New Jersey tournament. Princeton's stifling defense caught Point Pleasant off guard. The momentum swung in PHS's favor when in the third quarter, off a pass from Brian Dunlap, AJ Dowers rose above the rim, and dunked the ball with authority. After that, Point Pleasant's morale was deflated and their fans were out of the game. This is the first state playoff win for PHS since 1994. They will take on Monmouth Regional High School (the team that beat them in the states last year) on Saturday. Time TBD.

BRIAN DUNLAP-18 POINTS, 2 ASSISTS, 3 STEALS

DEQUAN HOLMAN-18 POINTS, 2 ASSISTS

AJ DOWERS-9 POINTS, 3 REBOUNDS AND ONE HUGE DUNK

SKYE ETTIN-2 POINTS, 3 REBOUNDS, 1 ASSIST. (DID NOT PLAY MOST OF GAME DUE TO FOUL TROUBLE.)

Game Against Palmyra High School. PHS-63; Palmyra-50

SCORES POSTED BY JAMIE PERETZMAN

Brian Dunlap-24 points, including 4 of 6 from three, and 4 assists. 

DeQuan Holman-22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. 

Skye Ettin-7 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists. 

Thatcher Foster-4 points, 2 blocks. 

Josh Gordon-5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists 

Chris Bechler-1 point

Game against Lawrence High School. LHS-60; PHS-55

SCORES POSTED BY JAMIE PERETZMAN

Brian Dunlap-22 points, including 8 for 8 from the free throw line. 

Skye Ettin-15 points, 9 rebonds. 

DeQuan Holman-10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists. 

AJ Dowers-7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks. 

Thatcher Foster-1 point, 5 rebounds

State Tournament

BY JAMIE PERETZMAN-The Princeton High School Little Tigers have been awarded the 5th seed in the group 3 NJSIAA state tournament. 

They will have a bye in the first round and then on March 5 they will play at Point Pleasant Borough, the 4th seed. 

Until then, PHS will play Allentown at home in the first round of the Mercer County Tournament. PHS, the 2nd seed will play Allentown on Tuesday, February 17. 

Game Against West Windsor Plainsboro South High School. WWPS-60; PHS-48

SCORES POSTED BY JAMIE PERETZMAN

Skye Ettin-17 points, 5 rebounds

DeQuan Holman-14 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds

Brian Dunlap-8 points, 2 assists 

AJ Dowers-5 points, 4 rebounds

Josh Gordon-2 points, 4 steals.