Freshmen add spark to revamped Princeton

PRINCETON >> Having played high school basketball just down the road, Jack Scott has at least one leg up on the other freshmen with the Princeton University men's team.

“I know all the good food spots and stuff like that,” Scott said after Princeton's 92-58 win Wednesday night at Jadwin Gymnasium against Cairn. “But although Hun is close, it's two completely different worlds at the same time.”

Scott, The Trentonian's Prep Player of the Year in Mercer County last winter, continued his transition to Division I by playing his most extended action yet with team highs in minutes (23), points (13), rebounds (nine), assists (four) and steals (two).

Scott came off the bench and could develop into an important role player for Princeton (5-2), which has rattled off five consecutive wins in nonconference play.

“I got a chance to go in there, so whenever my name is called, I just try to go as hard as I can and make the most out of the opportunity,” Scott said. “So that's what I tried to do. I thought I played really well.”

What impresses coach Mitch Henderson the most about the 6-foot-6 guard is his high motor and versatility. Scott can knock down 3s, take you to the rim, dish the ball and crash the glass.

“He's all over the place — never gets tired,” Henderson said. “I thought he was very good. He just loves to play, so it was really fun to watch him and his teammates play tonight.”

Meanwhile, freshman Caden Pierce was in the starting lineup for the seventh straight game and led the team with nine points in the first half.

Pierce, a 6-foot-6 forward from Illinois, had a crucial offensive rebound and free throw late in Princeton's 56-54 win last Saturday against Northeastern during the London Basketball Classic. The Tigers spent five days overseas during Thanksgiving break and played two games while touring the city.

“I don't think of the team as being you have young guys or old guys,” Henderson said. “Our objective is to play to win, and we put our chips in on that. Caden really has provided us the opportunity to play Tosan (Evbuomwan) a little bit more on the perimeter, which we wanted to be able to do this season with Keeshawn (Kellman) coming back, too, being healthy.”

Evbuomwan (the reigning Ivy League Player of the Year), Ryan Langborg and Matt Allocco are the upperclassmen who came into the season with extensive experience. The rest of the Princeton roster is mostly newcomers, who so far have been replenishing the program's recent success.

“They've just been really comforting,” Pierce said of Princeton's veterans. “If you make a mistake, they've got your back. All the seniors have been really good at taking all the freshmen under their wings, getting us up to speed with the offense, the attention to detail — whatever it may be. They've just been really helpful along the way.”

All 15 players who dressed for Princeton on Wednesday played minutes and scored against Cairn, a Division III school in Langhorne featuring Ewing graduate Kameron Clark.

Although DIII opponents are rarely a challenge on the scoreboard, games like these are pivotal for Henderson to test different lineup combinations and assess who can contribute when the Ivy League slate gets underway on New Year's Eve.

“Every single day we get a chance to get together is an opportunity for the young guys and the older guys to come together and figure out how they're gonna get that done together,” Henderson said. “The main way we can do that, to help them, is to compete. Jack, Cade — it's a very competitive young group. And that's really good for everybody because it just raises the level.”

Pierce and Scott praised the offcourt bonds that Princeton's five-man freshman class has been building. The other players are Toronto native Xaivian Lee, Connecticut native Deven Austin and North Carolina native Vernon Collins.

“It's been really smooth,” Pierce said. “I think we're all best friends already.”

Scott hails from a family that bleeds the orange and black. His father, Joe, played for Princeton in the 80s, was an assistant in the 90s and then served as head coach from 2004-07. His mother, Leah, was a point guard at Princeton from 1988-92.

“It's been cool,” Scott said of following in his parents' footsteps. “I'm really happy that I go to Princeton and I get to play basketball here.”