FRESH APPROACH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jack Scott puts up a layup in recent action. Last Wednesday, freshman guard and former Hun School standout Scott tallied a team-high 13 points with nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes off the bench as Princeton routed Division III Cairn 92-58. The Tigers, who topped Drexel 83-63 last Saturday to improve to 6-2, host Monmouth on December 10 before facing Iona on December 13 at Kean University. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Mitch Henderson sensed that his crew of freshmen could make a big impact this winter as they started their careers for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

“It is a very competitive young group, very competitive,” said Princeton head coach Henderson. “That is really good for everybody because it just raises the level.”

Last Wednesday, two of those prized newcomers, Jack Scott and Caden Pierce, starred as Princeton routed Division III Cairn 92-58. Guard Scott tallied a career-high and team-high 13 points with nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes off the bench while starting forward Pierce contributed a career-high nine points, four rebounds, and a blocked shot.

Scott, for his part, was ready to compete when he got the call against Cairn.

“I got a chance to go in there so whenever my name is called, I just try to go as hard as I can and make the most out of the opportunity,” said Scott, a 6’6, 197-pound resident of Denver, Colo. “That is what I tried to do, I thought we played really well.”

In joining the Tigers, Scott is following in a family tradition as his father Joe Scott ’87 and mother Leah Scott ’92  were both Princeton basketball stars. His father scored 809 points in his Tiger career and was the program’s head coach from 2004-07 while his mother ranks second all-time in assists (362) for the Princeton women.

“It has been cool,” said Scott. “I am really happy that I am going to Princeton and playing basketball here.”

Having played at the Hun School, Scott has an additional comfort level off the court in making the transition to Princeton.

“I know all of the good food spots and stuff like that,” said Scott with a smile. “Although Hun is close, it is two completely different worlds at the same time.”

On court, Scott has adjusted well to the Tiger brand of hoops. “I think it is just playing basketball, the Princeton offense is just passing and moving,” said Scott. “That part of the adjustment has been pretty smooth. You just go out and play as hard as you can, cut as hard as you can.”

In being a starter from game one, Pierce has focused on fundamentals.

“It is definitely a blessing that coach believes in me and put me in the starting lineup,” said Pierce, a 6’6, 210-pound native of Glen Ellyn, Ill. “I just try to go out there every game, do the same thing, and play as hard as I can. I try to do whatever I can to help the team win, whether that is defense, rebounding, knocking down shots, or whatever that might be.”

The influence of Princeton’s veteran players has helped Pierce thrive.

“They have just been really comforting, you make a mistake and they have got your back,” said Pierce who is averaging 5.8 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. “All the seniors have been good at taking the freshmen under their wing, getting us up to speed with the offense and attention to detail whatever it may be. They have just really been helpful.”

Helping Princeton win the London Basketball Classic over the Thanksgiving holiday was a highlight for Pierce.

“It was definitely fun to play out of the country in a European feeling gym with the different colored seats,” said Pierce, who totaled 18 rebounds in the event to help Princeton defeat Army 74-66 in the opening round and then rally to edge Northeastern 56-54 in the final. “It was an awesome experience. Playing in a championship setting really helped us. The game against Northeastern felt like a championship game. You feel that there was a little bit more on the line and I think that is going to help us going down the road.”

Henderson, for his part, viewed the London trip as a good learning experience for his squad.

“No. 1 was a chance to play in a championship, I love that in the middle of the season,” said Henderson. “It has been difficult for us to find games, we had to go a long way to get those two games. I was pleased to get the two wins.”

The play of Pierce in the early going has pleased Henderson.

“Caden has provided us with the opportunity to play Tosan [Evbuomwan] a little more on the perimeter which we wanted to be able to do this season with Keeshawn [Kellman] coming back to and being healthy,” said Henderson. “He has been great. He does the things that makes you valuable. He gets an offensive rebound at the end in the Northeastern game. He got us a second chance, he put himself on the line and made a free throw that gave us the lead. His rebounding has been great, he is averaging almost seven a game. Those are the things that make you win. That is what we are after here with this group.”

In the win over Cairn, Scott did a lot of good things. “Jack was rebounding, he had nine rebounds with three offensive in one possession,” said Henderson. “He is all over the place, he never gets tired. I thought he was very good. He just loves to play. It was fun watching him and his teammates play tonight. We have been
saying to them — we are not
going to be perfect. I thought they played together and played hard.”

Last Saturday, the Tigers played together well again, pulling away to an 83-63 win at Drexel to post their sixth straight win and improve to 6-2. Once again, the Tiger newcomers made a big impact as Pierce and two other freshmen, Xaivian Lee and Deven Austin, combined for 27 points in the win.

“December is a huge month for us,” said Henderson, whose team was slated to host Lafayette on December 6 and Monmouth on December 10 before facing Iona on December 13 at Kean University.

“We have five straight games here against really good teams before we hit exams and we really want to make our mark.”

In Henderson’s view, the Tigers are making strides. “It is time for us to figure out who is going to help you and who knows how to win,” said Henderson. “We are figuring that out. Every single day that we get a chance to get together is an opportunity for the young guys and the older guys to come together and figure out how they are going to get that done. The main way we can help them do that is to compete.”

For Pierce, the bonds he has developed with his classmates have helped him figure things out.

“It has been really smooth, we are all best friends already,” said Pierce. “It is definitely helped the transition knowing that outside of basketball we are all so close.”

Scott concurs, citing team unity as a huge plus as he has gotten up to speed at the college level.

“It has been the smoothest part of the whole transition,” said Scott. “All of the freshmen and the whole entire team are just like my best friends

already — that part has been awesome.”