Princeton senior Aveion Dixon (5), pictured in previous action, scored 22 points in the Panthers’ 76-68 loss to Allen on Dec. 16. Photo by jerry Winfrey / C&S Media
By David Wolman
The Princeton boys basketball team has faced a tough gauntlet of opponents over the past two weeks, having played three state-ranked teams in succession to open District 6-6A play.
After topping Class 6A’s No. 20 Plano 68-60 in an upset win on Dec. 9, Princeton saw a late rally come up just short in a 62-56 loss to No. 12 McKinney. Four days later, on Dec. 16, the Panthers withstood every run by No. 13 Allen, even rallying from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to take the lead. However, the Eagles delivered the final punch in a 76-68 triumph over the Panthers.
“We never gave up,” Princeton head coach Eric Lockman said. “We competed after all three Allen runs. I was super impressed that we erased a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to take the lead.”
That rally came after Allen led 26-22 at halftime and by as many as 14 points in the third quarter.
Princeton rode a 27-point third-quarter explosion to surge into the lead, a run sparked by junior Julius Johnson and senior Aveion Dixon.
Johnson found a rhythm from beyond the arc, knocking down three 3-pointers during the Panthers’ third-quarter surge. He finished with a team-high 22 points and made five 3s on the night.
“He has put a lot of work in over the offseason,” Lockman said. “It was great to see that pay off for him, especially in the third quarter.”
Dixon came alive in the second half, scoring 18 points after being held scoreless in the first half.
“Aveion has the ability to perform at that level every half and every game,” Lockman said. “It was great to see him be aggressive on the glass, in the open court and in our half-court offense.”
Allen senior Nehemiah Lawrence led all scorers with 28 points.
Overall, Princeton found much more success in the second half, particularly on the offensive end. The Panthers scored 46 points over the game’s final 16 minutes.
Princeton dropped to 1-2 in district play, but Lockman believes his team’s ability to compete at a high level against state-ranked opponents bodes well moving forward, especially as the second half of District 6-6A play approaches. The Panthers looked to earn their second district win Tuesday afternoon at Plano West, though the final score was unavailable at press time.
“Playing three ranked teams in the first three district games and winning one while having an opportunity to win the other two should give us a lot of confidence going into the next five games,” Lockman said. “I know these guys can be a playoff team. We’re looking forward to the Plano West game to see where we are going into the break.”
Meanwhile, the Princeton Lady Panthers will look to regroup after dropping their second straight game, a 75-25 setback to Allen, also on Dec. 16.
The Lady Eagles jumped out to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
Sophomore Jada Childress scored 10 points to lead the Lady Panthers, followed by seven from sophomore Rayleigh Williams.