PRINCETON 76, NORTH BRANCH 39

Sometimes beginnings do not point the way for the finale. Tonight,

Princeton overcame a sluggish start, went into overdrive and put running time on visiting North Branch in a dual Mississippi 8 and 7AAA contest. It was Princeton that needed to discuss the situation first in this game taking a time out at the 12:38 mark down 8-2. The next 30:22 was a 74-31 romp. NB took their first time out after the hosts tied it at 13 three minutes later. Another three and a half minutes later NB tried to stem the rising tide down 24-18, a 22-10 burst from the initial time out. The third NB came at the 2:47 mark after another 9-1 surge. Part of the reason for the awakening from the offensive slumber came from two sources: increased defensive pressure forcing more turnovers in the half court and Madison James’ hot hand off the bench. The 5-9 freshman (estimated height, Princeton for some reason does not list height) popped in five 3s for the night and added three free throws when she was fouled in the act of shooting behind the arc. That totaled 18 points. Game high honors went to 5-6 (est) senior point guard Madyson Shafer with 22. She found her way to the rim for 16 of those points.

Earlier this week I charted Medford, a team that reached the A Volleyball championship game and those athletes were enjoying success on the basketball court as well. NB did not have one volleyball player that played tonight. That opened the door for younger players.  Leading the Vikings was Paige Peaslee, a 5-11 freshman just missing out on the 31 Club by one.  

Princeton moves to 12-4. NB falls to 3-5.

	PRINCETON	NORTH BRANCH
POINTS	76	39
REBOUNDS/OFF	55/20	34/10
TURNOVERS	19	24
FTA/%	19/63.15	17/52.94
2FG%/3FG%	38.46/50.00	27.90/18.18
PP100	101.3	51.3
TOP SCORER	Madyson Shafer 22	Two with 12

TRENCH PLAYER: Madyson Shafer with 22 points, 157.1 pp100 and a 31 Score of 32.