SKYE HIGH: Skye Ettin heads to the basket in recent action for The College of New Jersey men’s basketball team. Sophomore forward Ettin, a former Princeton High star, transferred to TCNJ this season and has made an immediate impact on the program, averaging 7.5 points a game. Earlier this month, Ettin enjoyed one of the more memorable games of his basketball career, coming home to score 15 points at Jadwin Gym as the Lions lost 79-68 to Princeton. (Photo Courtesy of TCNJ Sports Information)

Skye Ettin has spent a lot of time at Jadwin Gym over the years.

“I have been to so many Princeton University games at Jadwin and I played there in camps when I was young,” said Ettin, a former Princeton High boys’ hoops star.

Earlier this month, Ettin enjoyed his most memorable visit to Jadwin, playing for The College of New Jersey men’s basketball team as it faced Princeton.

“I was very excited to be on the court, I was soaking it all in” said Ettin, a sophomore forward for the Lions reflecting on the January 8 contest between the local foes.

“I saw my family and a lot of friends behind our bench. On the other side of the court, there were a lot of PHS guys. I knew that coach Carter [PHS boys’ hoops coach Jason Carter] had sent out an e-mail and I knew some people were planning to come. I saw all my buddies from my class on the high school team. I didn’t expect that many people.”

Ettin put on quite a show for his legion of fans, scoring a team-high 15 points as Division III TCNJ fought valiantly in a 79-68 loss to the Tigers.

“I did my best; I didn’t want to disappoint all the people that were there,” said Ettin, reflecting on his performance which saw him hit 3-of-5 three-pointers and drew raucous cheers from his supporters on both sides of the gym.

“I was hoping to have a good game and help the team do well. We played with them for a good amount of the game. We were ahead 20-16. We didn’t fold; we gave them a competitive game.”

The 6’3, 170-pound Ettin is thrilled to be competing at TCNJ. After a superb career at PHS which saw him score 915 points and help the Little Tigers make the Central Jersey Group III finals in 2009 as a junior, Ettin headed south to Guilford College in North Carolina where he made the basketball team as a walk-on. Ettin, though, broke his foot before the season began and never saw any game action.

Having nearly chosen to go to TCNJ after high school and still feeling a comfort level with the program, Ettin decided to come back to the Princeton area to get a fresh start in his college hoops career.

“Everyone was real welcoming,” said Ettin. “We had a lot of new players, five transfers and three or four freshmen,” said Ettin.

“There were a lot of guys in the same boat. Doing open gym, working out and running, we were coming together. Things were jelling and are still jelling.”

Ettin enjoyed his formal welcome to college hoops as he made his debut on November 19 in an 84-66 loss to NYU.

“It was real exciting; it was my first real game since PHS,” said Ettin, who had four points in 19 minutes in the opener.

“It was a great experience. NYU was a really good team, it was a good test. We are a young team and we made some mental mistakes. We played tough; they have some big boys.”

As Ettin has picked up experience, he is adjusting to the demands of college basketball.

“In college ball, the players are a lot more physical and faster,” said Ettin. “A D-I player may be 6’8 but in D-III they are 6’4 and 200. It is a lot faster pace and everyone can shoot.”

Ettin’s shooting touch helped him have a breakout game, scoring 16 points against Drew on December 5.

“We played at home; there was a decent crowd,” recalled Ettin, who went 8-for-12 from the field. “I got a couple of good looks and some shots fell. It got my confidence flowing.”

Shortly after his outburst against Drew, Ettin moved into the starting lineup.

“We were not getting off to fast starts and we were making up for it after that,” said Ettin. “Coach was looking to mix it up and try different lineups. I was excited and trying to contribute the best way I can. Before that, I was playing good minutes off the bench.”

TCNJ head coach Kelly Williams likes what Ettin has been contributing to the Lions.

“Skye is one of those guys who has been one of our glue guys,” said Williams. “I think he appreciates the opportunity of coming back to the area and playing. He is really taking this opportunity very seriously and he is a guy we are going to look to in the near future to add some more character to this program.”

In Ettin’s view, the Lions have the opportunity to do some good things over the rest of the season.

“We are going to try to make the playoffs, anything can happen from there,” said Ettin, who is currently averaging 7.5 points a game for the 8-11 Lions.

“We have a lot of home games coming up so hopefully we can get jump-started and get some momentum. I need to stay more consistent. My play has been up and down. I need to bring more energy and rebounding.”

Ettin has enjoyed coming home to get his college hoops career rolling.

“It has been a great fit; it is nice to be 20 minutes from home and be able to help my parents,” said Ettin.

“I like being at a small school and I like my classes. The people have been great. I became friends with the guys on the team and have met people through them. I am living with some of the guys next year in a house.”

For Ettin, strengthening the foundation of the program is his main focus.

“I am determined to get better and help the program,” said Ettin. “I want to give everything I have got to make the team better.”