Princeton’s defense creates ‘chaos’ in comeback win over rival Hall

PRINCETON - Princeton coach Tiffany Gonigam knew she had to try something different.

The Tigresses weren’t getting the job done offensively, making just 3 of 15 shots. They were held scoreless the final 6 1/2 minutes of the first half while falling behind Hall 21-10 at the half.

After a little halftime motivation, Gonigam simply turned to her defense to make things happen. The Tigresses held Hall to four points in the third quarter, just nine in the second half, to score a 34-30 win over the rival Red Devils.

“We just had to fight,” Gonigam said. “I mean we were in a terrible position at halftime. We hadn’t shot the ball very well. We were real happy to hold them to 21 points at the half. At their place, I think they scored 57 total. So we thought defensively we were in an OK position, we just had to start making shots.”

“One way for us to do that is turn up the pressure. held them to nine in the second. Unfortunately, we got ourselves in position where we didn’t have much choice, but to fight and claw and try to create some chaos.”

PHS junior Keighley Davis said the Tigresses knew they had their backs against the wall.

“I think knowing that we were down and needed to win this game and and push back really got us going,” Davis said. “We knew we needed to come back to get conference eventually.”

With the win, and Kewanee’s loss at Newman on Thursday, the Tigresses (17-9) moved into a first place tie atop the Three Rivers East with the Boilers at 7-2. Hall fell to 5-4 in the league, 16-11 overall.

Princeton held Hall to a single field goal in the third quarter with two free throws to cut what was a 13-point deficit to 25-18 at quarter’s end.

The Princeton storm continued in the fourth quarter.

Paige Jesse, one of four PHS seniors honored on senior night, opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer. Camryn Driscoll scored off a quick steal, Davis took in a layup before Driscoll dropped a floater on the right baseline to give the Tigresses their first lead since the first quarter at 27-25.

Hall didn’t score until Charlie Pellegrini split two free throws to make it a 27-26 with 3 1/2 minutes remaining. The Red Devils managed only one more free throw by Kennedy Wozniak and a late 3-pointer by Wozniak to make it 32-30 Princeton with 17.9 seconds left.

The Tigresses didn’t score a basket in the final 4 1/2 minutes, but got just enough free throws, 4-4 by Driscoll and 3-4 by Reese Reviglio, for the win.

Hall coach TJ Orlandi knew what was coming, but said the Red Devils couldn’t do anything about it.

“We took good care of the ball in the first half and we talked about it at halftime, ‘They’re going to try to speed us up. It’s the style they want to play.' Somebody on the floor has to get a handle on things,” Orlandi said. “It can’t always be timeouts to try to calm us down. I don’t care if it’s a sophomore, junior, senior. Doesn’t matter. Somebody has to take control out there and get us calmed down.

“It’s a tough one. Outside of the press, for a lot of stretches, we outplayed them. Couldn’t take care of the ball second half.”

Driscoll led all scorers with 15 points for PHS and Davis added 11.

Ella Sterling led Hall with 11 points, but only had two in the second half. Natalia Zamora added six.

“Honestly, I thought we guarded well tonight. Thirty four points is a good defensive effort,” Orlandi said. “And I think a lot of baskets were giveaways. So in the halfcourt, i thought we played really well and played good defense.”

Gonigam said a game like this and others in the past week against Sherrard, Ottawa and Seneca will only prepare the Tigresses for the postseason.

“We’re in a position from last week through the rest of our season, there’s not really an easy game,” she said. “You’re going to be in tough positions. Every game’s going to be a battle, especially in the postseason. And you want to be able to look at your kids and know every time they go out and touch the floor, they’re not going to give up. And that’s what they did tonight.”