Eagles overpower Lions in PVL contest

Providence Christian High ran into a veteran Princeton High boys basketball team on Tuesday and lost 61-24.

The Eagles emerged from a brutal pre-season schedule battle-tested and ready to challenge for a Pioneer-Valley League title. The victory against the visiting Lions was the fourth in a row for Princeton (7-8, 2-0 PVL).

Princeton overpowered Providence (1-12, 0-2 PVL) from tip-off until the end of the first quarter, holding the Lions to just two points off free throws.

The Eagles pressured the youthful Lions on defense, racking up six steals and three blocks before the end of the opening quarter.

"We notoriously get off to slow starts so we're playing from behind just about every time but we're working on it," said Providence coach Michael Nevens.

Matthew Reese opened the second-quarter scoring with Providence's first bucket of the game and shot 3-of-4 from the free-throw line during the period. Tomas Beaver chipped in four points in the quarter.

While the Lions found success drawing fouls inside, Rod Angus shot 4-of-6 from the floor during the second quarter for eight points, and blocked two shots to lead Princeton into halftime with a 32-11 lead.

"We're spending a lot of time on fundamentals, just trying to play catch up on the whole experience side of things because we have a lot of younger guys. A lot of our players are freshmen and sophomores and we're utilizing the three older guys that we have," Nevens said.

Jared Mascadri scored five points and secured four rebounds during the third quarter as Princeton out-scored the Lions 10-1. Beaver scored Providence's only point of the quarter on a free throw.

"We needed to focus and play the full four quarters which is something we actually haven't done all year," Princeton coach Travis Bennett said.

The Eagles achieved that goal, which was especially important because the team's next game is against league powerhouse Paradise Adventist Academy on Thursday.

"We had a couple good days of practice and it was really all about taking the game at home, playing the game all four quarters and making sure we didn't have a lapse because, going into the next game, we need to have confidence and momentum," Bennett said.

Eduardo Valencia scored seven points and Lee Campos added six points for Princeton in the fourth quarter.

The Lions' offense found some traction in the fourth quarter and Reese sank a three-pointer and scored on a lay-up a short time later. Beaver added four points in the quarter and David Maurer scored the final bucket of the game.

Providence shot 13-for-22 from the free-throw line but just 14 percent from the field.

Reese finished the game with 12 points, four rebounds and four steals, and Beaver added 10 points and eight rebounds.

"I give Providence a lot of credit, we've played other teams before that have let their composure slip but they're very well coached and I'm looking forward to playing them again," Bennett said.

Mascadri led Princeton with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Rod Angus scored eight points and blocked three shots. Chad Zoller, Fernando Sotelo and Valencia scored seven points each.

CONTACT Kirk Barron at 458-2121 or kbarron@tcnpress.com.