PRINCETON, CA (MPG) – Coming off a first round bye, the No. 4 seeded Princeton girls basketball team turned in a strong second half to blow past No. 5 Surprise Valley 61-38 in a Northern Section Division VII playoff game on Feb. 19.
Out of the gate, the Eagles jumped ahead 11-2 and looked like would run away with the win, but the Hornets, using their size advantage, controlled the boards and drew within two by the end of the first quarter.
In the second period, the Eagles still hadn’t regained their early rhythm and allowed Surprise Valley the opportunity to hang around by sending the Hornets to the free throw line, although Princeton still held a 29-22 advantage going into the locker room at halftime.
However, the second half was a whole different story as the Eagles came out more aggressively on the boards and outscored their opponents 32-16 to cruise to the victory.
Jada Dillard led the Eagles with 25 points, while Mackenzie Wills, playing in the final home game of her career, finished with 13 points.
Also playing significant roles in the win were Reyna Sullivan and Lupe Espinoza.
Sullivan tallied nine points and six rebounds, with Espinoza accounting for six points and five assists.
Princeton (11-10) had a semifinal matchup on the road against No. 1 Hayfork on February 26, with the winner advancing to the championship game, which will be played Mar. 1 at Shasta College in Redding.