Gallery by Karen AkersĀ
New Richmond – Whenever the aggressive defenses of Wyoming East and Princeton clash, it can often resemble a rock fight.
Wednesday on Senior Night in the War Zone, the Warriors had more rocks.
Using a 15-5 run to break open a two-point game in the third quarter, Wyoming East ran away down the stretch for a 64-40 win over the Tigers.
“They are so physical and really hit the boards hard and play hard. We went through spurts where we didn’t meet the challenge,” Wyoming East head coach Angie Boninsegna said. “I called a timeout, fussed at the them some and talked about toughness. They came out and played a lot better in the third and fourth quarter.”
Although the home team never trailed, the first 12 minutes were tight with East holding an 18-15 lead.
As would be the case on several occasions, the Warriors always found another gear.
“When we get the game in our tempo, that is where we play better. The first half we ran good set offense and had good shots, we just didn’t make them,” Boninsegna said. “You have nights like that and you have to fight through it to get to the other side.”
A 10-0 run from the Warriors separated the game for the first time before Princeton climbed back within eight points at the break.
Princeton stunned the home crowd to open the second half when the Tigers went on an 8-2 burst to get within two points at the 5:23 mark of the third period.
The key to the success was work inside by senior Maddie Stull who scored twice on stick backs and a nice turn-around jumper in the lane.
“We played behind and let her have the ball. At one point in time they had four layups off missed shots. She hit the second or third shot,” Boninsegna said. “We have to go one shot or no shot. We didn’t do a good job rebounding in the third quarter, but we finally adjusted to the physicality.”
East also changed its approach to Stull who ended the night with 12 points, but was held to just two made free throws the rest of the way.
“We weren’t getting in the proper angles and they did make a great adjustment. As soon as the ball would go in, they would double down,” Princeton head coach Matt Smith said. “I will give them credit for that adjustment to minimize her touches.”
A free throw and a baseline jumper from Abi Baker stopped the bleeding before senior Kayley Bane stepped into the drivers seat and hit the gas pedal.
A personal 7-2 run from Bane, including a big corner 3-ball quickly turned a tight game into a nine-point advantage.
When the third quarter horn sounded, East was up 45-33 and Princeton got no closer.
Smith talked about what turned out to be the decisive period in the game and admitted being frustrated over that stretch of play.
“That was when the fouls got 6-0 and we had to make some adjustments (with personnel),” Smith said. “From that point on, it felt like we had a hard time getting our tracking back. We let it effect us mentally and in turn it effected us on the offensive end. On defense you are playing a little more timid.”
“I did not think we were helped at all with officiating,” Smith went on to say. “When the game was a game and still close, the fouls were 6-0 and they play as aggressively as we do. I do think that has something to do with the outcome and tempo of the game.”
The toughest blow for Princeton on the night was the foul trouble for Kalyn Davis. The senior standout picked up her third foul early in the second period and played limited minutes the remainder of the night.
“Davis is huge for us. Basketball IQ-wise, she is the best we have and that did hurt,” Smith said. “She keeps things together at times and with her off the floor it hurt. We didn’t have that calming sense on the floor.”
Maddie Clark and Cadee Blackburn led the Warriors with 16 points apiece, while Bane had nine. Clark had six steals and Bane had four.
The silent hero of the night for East was Baker who scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had a pair of steals. Baker’s on-ball defense gave Princeton fits most of the night.
“Abi Baker brings us energy. You have to be really quick to hold the ball against her in the half-court set. She is improving each game for us,” Boninsegna said. “Now she is giving us a little bit of offense on top of her defense. She comes in and plays good, hard defense for us and she is so fast. Abi had some key steals and stops tonight.”
Stull completed the double-double with 14 rebounds, but she was the only double-figure scorer on the night for the Tigers.
Prior to the game, Wyoming East celebrated its four seniors, Abby Russell, Colleen Lookabill, Laken Toler and Kayley Bane.
“They were fortunate to have people ahead of them and they just filled right into their shoes,” Boninsegna said. “There has been a lot this group had to go through the last couple of years. There all really good kids.”
P: 10 10 13 7 – 40
WE: 12 16 17 19 – 64
Princeton
Maddie Stull 12, Autumn Bane 7, Reagan Southers 7, Kalyn Davis 4, Kalee Wright 4, Asia Collins 2, Loren Burner 2. Totals: 13 13-18 40.
Wyoming East
Colleen Lookabill 6, Maddie Clark 16, Kayley Bane 9, Abby Russell 2, Cadee Blackburn 16, Abi Baker 10, Alivia Monroe 3, Gabby Cameron 2. Totals: 21 19-27 64.