Lions stalk foes in Elk Creek

As further proof that good things come in small packages, the boys and girls basketball teams from Providence Christian, Elk Creek and Princeton high schools got together in Elk Creek over the weekend to take part in the Small School Holiday Classic.

The tournament - originally scheduled as a four-team round-robin - had to be adjusted when Greenville High pulled out due to heavy snow that prevented them from traveling.

BOYS

Providence 45, Elk Creek 40

The Lions used a 19-11 scoring advantage in the second half to shade the Elks by five points on Saturday.

Matthew Reese put up 24 points for Providence, including four 3-pointers, three of which came in the fourth quarter.

Tucker Hoffman followed with eight points, Barrett Lely, Jeffery Grant and Guy Sinclair all helped out with four points, and Seth Danley added a bucket.

Keith Morinda topped Elk Creek with 15 points, Nate Bill and Brian Morales notched eight points each and Derrick King pitched in with seven.

Bill also pulled down 13 rebounds.

Princeton 48, Providence 40

A balanced scoring attack by Princeton resulted in an 8-point win on Friday.

Oscar Espinoza was the lone Eagle scoring in double figures with 10 points, but he was joined by Luis Angel and Gavino Mitchum, who scored nine apiece. Rod Angus followed with eight points and Julian Rosas added six.

Providence statistics were unavailable before press time.

Princeton 67, Elk Creek 20

The Eagles faced an Elk Creek team playing its second game of the day on Saturday, and ran away with the contest that saw the clock also run for the duration of the second half, after the Elks took a 42-10 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Espinoza's 15 points led the way for Princeton, with Rod Angus shooting his way to 12 points and Luis Gonzales, 10.

Angus also posted a double-double by taking command of 10 rebounds.

Morales led the Elks with 11 points.

GIRLS

Princeton 55, Providence 16

A monster game by Princeton's Maryssa Martin spelled disaster for the Lions on Friday, as she poured in 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for a robust double-double performance.

The Eagles led just 9-7 after the first quarter, but outscored the Lions 26-0 in the second period to take command.

Gaby Rodriguez and Amanda Hansen put up identical 11-point games for Princeton.

Amanda Edmondson's 12 points was tops for the Lions, and Kayla Tuma scrapped for eight rebounds.

Elk Creek 49, Providence 40

Both teams struggled with a 9 a.m. starting time on Saturday, with Elk Creek holding just a 6-4 lead after the first eight minutes.

After waking up a bit, the next three quarters were very physical and both teams attacked the baskets with wild abandon.

Edmondson's 12 points led all scorers, and Mikala Baugher utilized a mid-range set shot for 11 points.

Kayleen Swearinger's 16 points for Elk Creek was followed by a 13-point outing by Taylor Munk. Shelby Carpenter added nine points.

Princeton 50, Elk Creek 22

The minds were willing but the legs were weak for the Lady Elks in their second Saturday contest, as they managed just four points in three of the four quarters, while putting up 10 in the third.

Martin again led the Lady Eagles with 16 points and 16 rebounds, with Rodriguez also notching a double-double consisting of 14 points and 10 boards.

Amanda Hansen helped out with 10 points, with Arianna Ilhorreguy cleaning the glass for 12 rebounds and Brianna Zoller, 10.

Swearinger put up 10 points for Elk Creek and Carpenter added seven.

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