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February 22, 2013

Tigerettes ground Flying Eagles

By KIMBERLY COOK Princeton Times

PRINCETON — The Princeton Tigerettes grounded the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles in their class AAA Region III Section II semi-final Wednesday at the Fayette County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building by score of 46-28.  

A sluggish first quarter had Princeton playing from behind at the 3:00 mark. Down by 1, it looked like the Tigerettes couldn’t buy a basket. The end of the first quarter showed Princeton at 7, and Woodrow with 8. The second quarter was much of the same for Princeton, but their defense kept them in the game, continuing to cause Flying Eagle turnovers for a total of 13 this half.

Woodrow put up four quick points, but Princeton responded with a Jessica Inman put-back at the 5:40 mark, while Khadija Payne put up a short jumper.

Woodrow continued their inside play with Summer Butler and Breanna Thompson underneath. Tigerettes’ Inman put up a trey with 3:16 on the clock to knot it all up. Tigerette Stephanie Lambert, fresh off the bench, came in with a basket and one to put Princeton in the lead 17-16 with 2:57 remaining.

Princeton’s defense held the Flying Eagles scoreless for the remaining minutes, as Tigerette Ashley Culicerto added two from the charity stripe to close the quarter, with Princeton up 19-16.

The Tigerettes had to adjust during the half, only having shot 7-33 from the field. The third quarter turned the competition around.

Princeton’s McKenzie Akers and Marissa Mullins combined for five points in 50 seconds to open the third quarter of play prompting a Woodrow time-out. Princeton opened their lead to eight points and never looked back.

The Tigerettes went on a 15-2 run, thanks to two back-to-back three-pointers from Mullins and Hannah Preservati. Jessica Inman added another trey with time expiring to close the quarter, with the score 39-22 in favor of Princeton.

The Tigerettes continued into the fourth with ball control and limited shooting. Princeton would add seven more points to Woodrow’s six, as they held the Flying Eagles scoreless for 3:51 to end the fourth by score Princeton 46, Woodrow 28.

Princeton’s shooting improved this half, banking 9 of 21 shots.

Akers led the Tigerettes with 13 points, followed by Inman’s nine. Payne and Mullins combined for 16, with eight each. Preservati and Lambert had three apiece, while Culicerto rounded it out with two.

Butler led the Flying Eagles with nine.  

Hold onto your hats, as No. 7 Princeton heads into the class AAA Region III Section II final Friday night to take on the undefeated No. 1 team in the state Greenbrier East Lady Spartans at the Fayette County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building.

This game is sure not to disappoint the basketball fan. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

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