(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) INSIDE PRESENCE: Princeton High senior forward Matt Young goes up for a shot in recent action. Last Friday, Young chipped in eight points but it wasn’t enough as PHS fell 60-45 at undefeated Trenton to move to 3-6 on the season. In upcoming action, the Little Tigers host WW-P/N on January 18 before playing at Steinert on January 22.

Young Providing Strong Inside Presence as PHS Boys’ Hoops Looks to Progress

Bill Alden

Matt Young and his teammates on the Princeton High boys’ basketball team started last week on a major high.

With the PHS gym packed and rocking, the Little Tigers pulled away from local rival Princeton Day School 65-41 on January 7.

Senior forward and captain Young contributed eight points as PHS used a 16-0 run in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

A night later, though, the Little Tigers started the game against visiting Notre Dame on the wrong side of a 13-1 run. Later in the half, the Irish put together a 12-5 run as they jumped out to a 31-15 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Young was a force in the paint as the Little Tigers outscored Notre Dame 19-15 to tighten up the contest. The Irish, however, took command down the stretch on the way to a 64-42 contest.

While PHS appeared to have some tired legs in the wake of their emotional win over PDS the night before, Young wouldn’t use that as an excuse for the loss to Notre Dame.

“We came out in the first half wanting to win so badly that we forgot how to do it,” said Young, who scored five points in the loss to the Irish. “We just have to take it step by step, basket by basket.”

In Young’s view, the loss to Notre Dame could serve as a valuable lesson as PHS looks to turn things around.

“This is a setback,” said Young, who absorbed another low moment as PHS fell 60-45 to undefeated Trenton last Friday to move to 3-6 on the season.

“It teaches you that you can’t let your highs get too too high or your lows get too low. You have to shake off this game and get back to work like it didn’t happen.”

Young is confident good things can happen this winter for PHS, who hosts WW-P/N on January 18 before playing at Steinert on January 22.

“We seem to be getting better and better every game,” said Young. “Sometimes we have a step back but our young guys like Skye [Ettin] are really stepping up; it looks good.”

Playing with those young players in summer league ball is paying off for the Little Tigers.

“We played in the summer league and that helped,” said Young. “Practice always helps and it was good to play with guys who hadn’t played before. We had a lot of freshmen on the JV last year. It’s a good chance to bond together. Still it’s nothing like CVC competition.”

Young, a star tight end/defensive end for the PHS football team, prides himself on competing hard for the ball for the Little Tigers.

“I focus on getting possessions anyway I can,” said the 6’4 Young. “Whether it’s rebounding or getting on the floor or blocking passes.”

As the team captain, Young is trying help the team compete hard collectively.

“I’m trying to help everyone get to the right level,” said Young. “I want to make sure we are running our stuff and sticking to our style of basketball.”

The influence of new head coach Jason Carter has helped the players develop a hard-working style.

“He pushes us to work hard but everyone is into it because they know the benefits,” said Young. “He plays to our strengths and he understands us.”

If Young can keep up his strong play, PHS should experience some more highs as the season unfolds.

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