Lady Eagles pass test of Faith

YUBA CITY - Amanda Hansen's 17 points paced a trio of Lady Eagles scoring in double digits as Princeton High's girls basketball team sat down tourney host Faith Christian 45-39 on Friday in Yuba City.

The final score made the game seem much closer than it actually was, as Maryssa Martin's 10 points in the third quarter put the Eagles comfortably in front by a score of 41-26. Martin finished with 14 points total, and Gaby Rodriguez chipped in with 12.

Princeton found themselves trailing 7-4 in the first quarter, before ending the period on a 9-0 run to go up 13-7.

Hansen spurred the scoring burst with a fast break bucket and a rebound hoop, along with three points from the line. Martin also canned a jumper in the paint.

The Lions, who began the tournament with a 7-4 mark, had trouble with the Eagles' switching things up on defense. Princeton came out in a man defense, but also utilized a 2-1-2 zone and a press at different times to confound Faith Christian's offensive gameplan by forcing bad passes and poor shot selections.

The second quarter was Rodriguez's turn to break the Lions' 2-3 zone defense, as she put up eight of her points and helped Princeton take a 27-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Faith Christian's Abby Maddalena notched eight of her nine points in the second period to keep the Lions in the game.

Brianna Zoller's put-back gave Princeton a nine-point advantage to open the third quarter, and following a free-throw by Faith Christian's Moriah Maddalena, Martin's hand heated up.

Hansen kicked the ball out to her for a 3-pointer that gave Princeton its first double-digit lead at 32-21, and Martin added a pair from the stripe and a baseline trey, before bringing her game inside for a bucket in the paint.

Rodriguez added another hoop, but the Lions were not about to go down without a fight.

Tiffany Hendricks hit three-straight 3-pointers to begin the fourth quarter as Faith Christian needed to put points on the board in a hurry, and Moriah Maddalena hit one later on, but it was not enough to deny Princeton its second win in as many days.

Princeton 47, Stockton Christian 39

With a team dropping out, the tournament format turned into a three-team round-robin, with the Eagles once again besting their Thursday opponent on Saturday.

Martin's double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds paced the offense, with Rodriguez dropping 14 points and Hansen pitching in with 11.

Princeton 39, Faith Christian 29

The Eagles held a 12-0 lead after the first quarter and prevailed again on Saturday.

Hansen put up a monster game, scoring 22 points that included 7 of 11 from the free-throw line, and also hauling down 11 rebounds.

Martin just missed another double-double, scoring eight points and going up for 10 boards.

Princeton 58, Stockton Christian 33

The Eagles tipped off the tournament with a total devastation of Stockton Christian on Thursday.

Princeton ripped off 23 first-quarter points and followed that up with 20 in the second period to enjoy a 43-17 lead at the break.

Hansen tickled the twine for 26 points and used her quick hands to pull off 12 steals.

Martin poured in 23 points and ruled the boards with 15 rebounds.

The Eagles (8-4) host Westwood on Jan. 8.

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.