Five Takeaways: Wilmington at Princeton
When facing one of the top teams in Ohio, you must have all hands-on deck prepared and ready to play. But unfortunately for the Wilmington Hurricanes that was not the case Tuesday night in their road match-up with Princeton. Without star senior guard Dylan Beaugard (Ashland commit), the Hurricanes lost to a talented Vikings squad 62-27.
The contest was never in doubt with Princeton’s size and athleticism giving Wilmington problems not only getting the ball up-court but also finishing in the paint where numerous missed lay-ups turned into transition opportunities for the Vikings. Three of those opportunities turned into dunks for 2018 G Darweshi Hunter (PHO #74), who lead Princeton with 19 points on 8-12 shooting. Syracuse commit Darius Bazley (PHO #1) finished with a double-double (10pts, 12reb, 3ast) while wing Dominic Pierce (2018 PHO #101) also finished with 10 points and played solid defense throughout the evening.
Five Takeaways/Wilmington at Princeton
- Princeton has the size and length of a college program, which is something that gets overlooked when they are talked about. Not only do they have Bazley (6’9), but also senior C/F Gabe O’Neal (6’7, PHO #171) along with Dominic Pierce at 6’4. They also multiple guards in that 6’0-6’2 range along with 2020 forwards Aaron Ward (6’6, PHO #30) and Darrion Henry (6’5, PHO #54). There size along will give teams major issues throughout the rest of the season.
- The Beaugard injury really hampered what the Hurricanes where able to do. Dylan can get it done on both ends with ball-pressure and quick hands on the defensive end, and the ability to get in the lane and knock down shots as well. While not saying he would of lead Wilmington to a victory, but the score would have been a lot closer.
- Princeton coach Steve Wright has the talent to keep this train rolling for the next few years at the least. When looking at the Vikings bench you see a whole other team that if they were there own team would be one of the best in the city. With players like the before mentioned Henry and Ward in the fold for the this and the next two seasons after, this could be the start of an historic run for the 1st year coach.
- It would be nice if OHSAA at least explored the possibility of a shot clock. The Hurricanes held the ball for the last 2:30 of the 1st Now you cannot blame head coach Mike Noszka, he wanted to slow the pace and that strategy is well within the rules. But to see a team just swing the ball around the perimeter for over two minutes is not fun at all. It would also help the development of the players as well and help them prepare for the next level.
- I am hoping that the basketball Gods bless us with a Princeton-Moeller match-up sometime in March. Both teams are loaded with talent the match-up well with each other across the board. Just imagine a Jaxson Hayes-Darius Bazley match-up with a chance to advance on the line.