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Princeton and Seneca both played their way through some trying times in Wednesday’s regional semifinal games.
Tonight, they will battle for the regional championship. Game time is 7 p.m. at Prouty Gym. A trip to next week’s Class 2A Marengo Sectional is on the line.
The Irish (26-6) are the No. 1 seed. They seek their first regional title since 2018 and 13th overall.
The Tigers are the No. 4 seed, riding a 10-game win streak with a 19-12 record. They have won three straight regional titles. Princeton won four straight regionals from 1992-95 and three in a row from 2009-11.
Both coaches look for a classic championship game.
“They’re really good. We’ve got our work cut out,” Tiger coach Jason Smith said. “We’ve got to be able to handle their pressure and try to contain No. 13 (Paxton Giertz) as much as possible. Easier said than done because he’s a 2,400-point-plus scorer and Coach (Russ) Witte does a great job with them. They’ve won 20-plus games how many straight years and they’re always in it. It’s going to be a battle.”
“It will be a lot like playing Marquette at Marquette. It will be loud. I love the gym. I love the atmosphere. We know it’s going to be packed,” Witte said.
This will mark Princeton’s 42nd regional championship appearance. They are 19-22 in regional title games.
Tonight’s winner advances to the Marengo Sectional to face the winner of the Woodstock Marian Regional at 7 p.m. Wednesday. No. 2 Byron and No. 3 Rockford Lutheran meet for the title at Woodstock.