PRINCETON, CA (MPG) – A large group of former Princeton Eagles along with onlookers from the community gathered in the high school gymnasium last Saturday for an afternoon of food, fun, and basketball as both the current Eagles’ boys’ and girls’ teams took on a competitive group of alumni.
Sponsored by the Princeton Elite AAU basketball team, which is run by Eagles coach and alum Jordan Dillard and his partner Roxy Vargas, it was the first event of its kind and sought to raise money for the high school basketball program.
In the first game of the afternoon, a group of more than 20 alumni spanning some 53 years battled it out for a chance to face off against the 2024 Eagles team.
Dillard’s father Ron, a 1973 grad who assists his son coaching the Eagles, was a crowd favorite and showed he still has game, while Princeton’s all-time career scoring leader, Manuel Espinoza left no doubt that he can knock it down nearly six years after his final season.
Following the warm-up game, the alumni, described by Dillard as a “super team,” claimed bragging rights after a last second shot gave them an 87-86 victory.
In the women’s game, the Eagles’ alumnae gave it their all, but could not hold off the current squad.
Overall, the turnout was a testament to the power of community in a town whose population hovers just above 300 and its support for its beloved Eagles.