Princeton senior Chandler Evans (1) dribbles the ball around a Richardson player on Nov. 18. Photo by Jerry Winfrey / C&S Media
By Emily Williams
The Princeton Lady Panthers basketball team got its first win of the season at home Nov. 18 against Richardson.
The 43-40 win also marked the first victory under new head coach Six Smith, who comes to Princeton from previous coaching positions at the high school and college levels.
“I like it for the kids and the fans,” Smith said of the win. “They got to enjoy the moment. For many parents, this was their kids’ first varsity victory.”
Not only are the Panthers navigating a new coach, they are navigating a new team with new members after key players Terrayah McCoy and Mariah Hart graduated.
“Many people forget that of a few of the most important girls who were part of those successful past teams and played major roles, I only have one girl from those teams that played a major role in Chandler Evans,” Smith said. “Outside of her, we’ve got nothing but first-time role players.”
Evans was a starter for the team that made history by advancing farther in the playoffs than any other Princeton basketball team. Evans also was a key contributor in this game with her ball control under pressure, as well as her ability to lead vocally.
“I helped my team by getting to the basket and making an extra pass to my teammates,” Evans said. “When the game got close at the end, I focused on just being able to keep my team together.”
The Lady Panthers were strong in the first two quarters and went into halftime leading the Lady Eagles 28-21.
Evans led the team in scoring for the first half with two 3-pointers, a 2-point shot and three free throws. She finished with 14 points. Rayleigh Williams netted a team-high 16 points.
New varsity teammate Rayna Martin was also a big contributor defensively and will be a player to watch throughout this season.
“I contributed to the game by focusing on the plays, playing defense and trusting my teammates,” Martin said. “I think I was boxing out pretty well, hustling up and down the court and getting good shots up.”
With the help of leading scorer Rayleigh Williams, who scored 8 points in the first half and 8 in the second with a total of four 3-pointers, the Lady Panthers were able to hold off the Richardson Lady Eagles, who had a big fourth quarter, scoring 10 points compared with Princeton’s 4. But Williams’ 3-point shot in the final quarter sealed the win, 43-40.
Jada Childress rounded out the scoring for the Lady Panthers with 7 points.
Smith said this season is all about consistency. The girls will have a chance to continue to build momentum as they play Mansfield Summit on Nov. 25.
“Win by building a winning culture,” Smith said. “You have to teach the girls how to be coachable. We did that as a unit for the first time this year against Richardson, and we see the results.”
Following a tournament last weekend, the Lady Panthers were 2-6 on the season and will open district play at home vs. Plano East on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
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