YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE: Scott Bechler bounces up the court in a game this past winter for the Princeton High boys’ basketball team. Last Monday, rising senior guard Bechler scored a team-high 14 points for Princeton Youth Sports but it wasn’t enough as the squad fell 53-45 to Team TB in Recreation Department Summer Men’s Basketball League action.
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Anthony Brown enjoyed a fine career with the Princeton High boys’ basketball team.

But when Brown took the court for Team TB last Monday in the Princeton Recreation Department Summer Men’s Basketball League against Princeton Youth Sports, the PHS hoops entry in the league, he wasn’t feeling any love for his alma mater.

“We knew they were no pushover,” said Brown a 2006 PHS alum. “I was not going to let these little guys steal one from us; I would never hear the end of it.”

For a while, it looked like PYS would steal one as it trailed only 24-23 at halftime and forged ahead 36-35 seven minutes into the second half.

But utilizing its savvy and maturity, Team TB outscored PYS 18-9 over the rest of the contest to pull away to a 53-45 victory.

In other action Monday night at the Community Park courts, Ivy Inn topped the Clinton Kings 40-33 while Dr. Palmer upset previously undefeated Winberie’s/Miller Lite 57-55.

In reflecting on Team TB’s win, which lifted it to 3-4, Brown asserted that a show of character made the difference.

“We stepped it up on the defensive end,” said Brown. “I know our guys were tired but we stuck it out and dug deep.”

Brown helped Team TB on the offensive end, scoring 11 points with Daniel Waynic tallying a game-high 17.

“They know I am a shooter,” said Brown. “I tried to give them a pump fake and got to the basket.”

Team TB was pumped up to get back into the win column after a tough 50-43 loss to league frontrunner Winberie’s/Miller Lite last Friday.

“We had a tough loss against the No. 1 seed,” said Brown. “This is a win we definitely needed so we took advantage of it.”

In Brown’s view, Team TB has what it takes to come up with some more wins.

“We know we can compete with the best of them; we just have to get over the hump and beat some of the top teams,” asserted Brown.

Utilizing its talent and some key intangibles, Team TB figures to be a tough out in the playoffs.

“I think we will be very dangerous come playoff time; I don’t think anyone wants to see us,” said Brown, noting that the team draws additional strength from being named after Tim Best, a popular local figure who passed away in 2010. “We have the crowd behind us; this is the neighborhood team.”