HALL PASS: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Jaden Hall fires a pass in recent action. Last Saturday, junior guard Hall scored a team-high 12 points in a losing cause as PDS fell 54-42 to Hopewell Valley. The Panthers, now 1-5, are slated to host the Doane Academy on January 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Before Jaden Hall took the court for the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team against the Solebury School (Pa.) last week, he got some words of wisdom from his father.

“My dad told me to be aggressive and get your own shot,” said PDS junior guard Hall.

Following that advice, Hall tallied a career-high 18 points to provide a highlight as the Panthers fell 70-47 to Solebury in the January 11 contest.

After scoring four points in the first half, Hall tallied eight points in the third quarter and added six in the fourth.

“We were driving and kicking for threes,” said Hall, reflecting on his outburst. “We trusted our shooters and we trusted our ball handlers and started knocking down shots. I found my rhythm.”

Coming into this winter, Hall was looking to be more of a factor for the Panthers.

“Last year as a sophomore, I didn’t have that much of a role,” said Hall. “I have been working on my game to become a different type of player. Last year I was a catch and shoot type of guy so I am trying to focus on my ball-handling, being strong with the ball and cutting down on those turnovers. I started becoming more of a point guard type player.”

This past summer, Hall put in extra work to hone his skills.

“I played a lot of AAU ball,” said Hall. “I went to Baltimore to a MADE Hoops camp and got some good advice from a whole bunch of different coaches around Jersey and Pennsylvania. I started working out over the summer to get better as a player and help this team win.”

Soaking up that knowledge, Hall is looking to pass that on to the squad’s younger players.

“I am trying to be a leader,” said Hall. “I have my senior Connor Topping and I am learning from him a lot, how to be a leader. I am looking to help my young guys — the freshmen, sophomores — learn how to play basketball in high school.”

While the loss to Solebury was disappointing, the Painters were able to produce some good stretches.

“This game was one of those testaments that showed we were getting better as a team,” said Hall who had eight points, six rebounds, and three assists as PDS defeated WW/P-South 65-50 last Thursday and then chipped in team-high 12 points in a losing cause as PDS fell 54-42 to Hopewell Valley on Saturday to move to 1-5.

“Obviously we didn’t win the game but we played good as a team.”

With PDS slated to host Doane Academy on January 21, Hall and his teammates are in a good place despite the record.

“A lot of us have been together for a long time so we know how each other play,” said Hall.

“We have been friends for a long time so this game of basketball is keeping our friendships together on and off the court.”