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  • Princeton's David Brewster gets fouled shooting a lay-up in Wednesday game versus Lincoln County.

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  • Princeton's Hunter Walters battles for a loose ball in Wednesday's tilt against Lincoln County. Greg Barnett

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  • Princeton's Austin Southcott looks to pass to Tre' Hopkins in Wednesday's game at home versus Lincoln County Greg Barnett

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December 30, 2011

Tigers end year on high note

Chris Slater for the Princeton Times

Princeton — After a close first half, the Princeton Tigers varsity boys basketball team took over in the second half against the Lincoln County Panthers, defeating them 53-42.

Head Coach Ernie Gilliard said that Wednesday night's game went better than the team's previous efforts.

“This was a better effort by the kids overall,” Gilliard said. “We were patient, made good decisions, and took care of the basketball.”

The game stayed close in the first half. Both teams hit 3-pointers on their first possession, and Princeton maintained a 16-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Rodney Plumley, head coach of the Lincoln County Panthers, noted that Princeton capitalized on mistakes his team made.

“I just thought we were flat and didn't get in a rhythm because of the easy opportunities we blew,” Plumley said.

Princeton scored first in the second quarter, but both teams' defense kept it low-scoring. Princeton held the lead going into halftime, 21-19.

Plumley attributes some of his team's lack of focus to Princeton's recent string of losses after the injury of star Ryan Meadows.

“It seems like with him not out there, our focus level and defense wasn't what it usually is,” Plumley said. “They had a couple kids really step up and fill the slack, with him not playing. Especially that number 30, whoever that kid is.”

Kyle Caron, who wears uniform number 30, has stepped into a leadership role for the team.

“We're glad to have Kyle Caron back,” Princeton Coach Gilliard said.

Panthers Coach Plumley was also quick to praise Princeton players Tre Hopkins and Darnell Palmer.

“I thought they got good leadership out of Hopkins and Palmer,” Plumley said. “They may not put up the averages the way a guy like Meadows does, but they provide the leadership on the floor offensively and defensively. Both of them played a really good offensive game tonight.”

As the game progressed, Princeton pulled ahead. With 6:33 left in the third quarter, Princeton held only a 23-21 lead. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, Princeton had pulled ahead to an eight-point lead, 41-33.

Gilliard noted that his team did not fall susceptible to Lincoln County's tricks.

“They're a very tough opponent, well-coached,” Gilliard said. “They do a lot of different things to confuse you. I think our kids handled all of the adjustments well tonight.”

The Tigers ran down the clock in the final few minutes, winning the game by an 11-point margin, 53-42.

“We need to play a lot better than we did for this game,” Panthers Coach Plumley said about the remainder of the season.

Plumley added that the loss to Princeton was a disappointment to his program.

“We really thought we should have come up here and won this ball game,” Plumley said.

Princeton’s next game is at home on Sat. Jan. 7, against Parkersburg. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

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