Princeton smothers New Egypt for home win
PRINCETON >> Jay Jackson told his Princeton boys basketball teammates after their blowout loss to Steinert on Friday night that they desperately needed to win Saturday’s home against New Egypt.
The Little Tigers responded well to the quick turnaround, smothering the Warriors for a 66-37 victory.
Princeton (3-4) has now won three of five games since dropping the first two contests of the season.
“We’re just starting to get it together in practice, more enthusiasm with more energy,” Jackson said. “We’re talking a lot more on defense, moving the ball on offense, getting the ball to the low post and our big man, Jaylen (Johnson). And he’s starting to score more. Once he gets going, I don’t think anybody can stop him because he’s one of the biggest kids on the court every single game.”
Princeton’s defense set the done by holding New Egypt without a point for nearly six minutes at the start of the game.
Jackson and Jack Suozzi each netted 13 points for the Little Tigers, who raced to an 18-5 lead early in the second quarter and then had a dominant 30-10 halftime advantage.
“We were a little lazy at first, but we had a timeout and we started talking in the huddle,” Jackson said. “Coach (Pat Noone) said, ‘Enthusiasm. All we need is enthusiasm, enthusiasm.’ He kept repeating himself, and we came out, we started to battle more, giving all our energy we had.”
Princeton played a 2-3 zone and extended its pressure at various times throughout the game. New Egypt struggled with turnovers and had two starters with three fouls at halftime.
Offensively, Princeton spread the ball around well. Eleven different players scored, including Timmy Evidente and Brendan Rougas chipping in seven points apiece.
Jackson said Princeton’s offense focuses on dribble drive, screens, skip passes and duck-in post plays with Jackson and Johnson.
The Little Tigers essentially sealed the win with a relentless attitude in the second half, tallying 14 of the first 17 points in the third quarter.
“We want to keep our foot on the gas pedal,” Jackson said. “Keep it going, never stop. We always want to score no matter what the score is.”
Adam Harris paced New Egypt with 15 points, and Randy Steen connected on three 3-pointers.
Princeton has a challenging week of CVC action ahead. The Little Tigers play at Hightstown on Tuesday and then host Ewing on Friday. Ferris High (Jersey City) comes to Princeton next Saturday.
“We’re going to hopefully come out and win all those games,” Jackson said. “That’s our main goal, and hopefully be over .500 so we can make states and get (a good seed) in the MCT.”
NEW EGYPT (37)
Harris 3-7-15, Dolan 2-2-6, O’Donnell 2-1-5, Steen 4-0-11.
Totals — 11-10-36.
PRINCETON (66)
Jackson 5-2-13, Johnson 1-2-4, Guy 5-0-10, Suozzi 4-3-13, Evidente 3-1-7, Rougas 3-0-7, Bar-Cohen 1-1-4, Filion 0-2-2, Rinaldi 0-1-1, McMahon 0-2-2, Frost 1-0-3.
Totals — 23-14-66.
New Egypt (1-6) 4 6 15 12 — 37 Princeton (3-4) 13 17 20 16 — 66 3-point goals: Steen 3, Harris 2 (NE), Suozzi 2, Rougas, Jackson, Bar-Cohen, Frost (P).