(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) SKYE HIGH: Princeton High boys’ basketball star Skye Ettin heads to the hoop in recent action. Ettin exploded for 26 points in PHS’s recent 75-46 win over Nottingham. The senior forward was the leading scorer for the Little Tigers as they competed in the 2009 Eastern States Classic Invitational Tournament (ESCIT) at Trenton Catholic over the holidays. PHS went 0-2 in the tournament but gained some experience that should help it down the road.

PHS Boys’ Hoops Goes Winless at ESCIT but Figures to Benefit From the Experience

Bill Alden

Jason Carter jumped at the chance to have his Princeton High boys’ basketball team compete in the 2009 Eastern States Classic Invitational Tournament (ESCIT) at Trenton Catholic.

“Playing at Trenton Catholic is a challenging environment for anyone,” said PHS head coach Carter. “It is a great tournament with a great atmosphere and great competition.”

While the tournament annually draws premier teams from all over New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Little Tigers ended up getting matched against Mercer County rival Notre Dame in the opening round of the tourney.

“I didn’t want to play a CVC team initially but if a team is going to play hard, it doesn’t matter who we play,” said Carter. “Notre Dame has disciplined kids and they always play hard.”

PHS played hard against Notre Dame as it took a 24-22 lead at halftime. But the Little Tigers let things get away in the second half, getting outscored 36-25 over the last two quarters to fall 58-48.

“We just didn’t have it; I don’t know if it was nerves or what,” said Carter who got 12 points apiece from Skye Ettin and Eric Shorter in the defeat.

“We went 10-of-27 from the line. We missed layups; just couldn’t finish. We had good looks. I wouldn’t change anything coaching wise; we made the right substitutions.”

The Little Tigers had a better finish in the next round against Prep Charter but it wasn’t enough as PHS lost 48-37 to get eliminated from the tourney. The Little Tigers were down 27-15 at halftime and fought back to outscore Prep Charter 22-21 in the second half.

“We didn’t have the matchups right and they hit shots early,” said Carter reflecting on the loss which moved his squad to 2-2 on the season.

“We got back in the game. The defense was good. Prep Charter usually plays in the 70s or 80s and we wanted to hold them under 50.”

Although PHS went winless at the ESCIT, Carter still saw it as a positive experience for his team.

“It will definitely help us grow,” asserted Carter. “Two years ago at William Allen tournament in Pennsylvania, we lost both games. Last year we won one game. There is a progression. Maybe we can come back and win a game or two next year.”

In Carter’s view, sophomore guard Shorter is making some nice progress.

“Shorter came on in the Nottingham game,” said Carter, referring to his team’s 75-46 victory over the Northstars on December 22. “He is very quick and very aggressive. He gives us a lot of options.”

Senior standout Ettin also gives Carter some options. “Skye is stepping up and showing leadership,” said Carter of Ettin who exploded for 26 points in the Nottingham win. “He can play different positions which is a help.”

With a little sharpening over the rest of the holiday break, Carter believes his team could put itself in position to do some good things.

“The focus is making high percentage shots,” said Carter, whose team hosts Hopewell Valley on January 8 before playing at Allentown on January 12.

“We just need to work a little bit harder. We need to work smarter and work together. We can’t get overconfident; we had a big win over Nottingham and I think that had an impact.”

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