Princeton girls drop heartbreaker to East Columbus

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 1, 2014 11:23 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

LAKE WACCAMAW -- The last two good looks at the basket didn't fall for Princeton on Friday evening.

And the Bulldogs' hopes of reaching the eastern regionals for the first time since 1988 also faded away.

Marlena McClure drained the game-winning free throw with 9.5 seconds left and East Columbus escaped Princeton, 67-66, in their third-round N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A playoff game.

The Gators (19-5 overall) punched their ticket to the eastern regional for the second straight year and third time overall since 2009. They'll oppose once-beaten and No. 5-ranked Rosewood at Crown Arena in Fayetteville on Friday.

Tip-off is 8:30 p.m.

"I couldn't be more prouder than what I am," PHS head coach Marty Gurganus said. "We fought back and when it seemed liked things weren't going our way, I told the girls that we were going to be fine."

East Columbus built a 12-point cushion early in third quarter before Princeton (16-10) found its rhythm offensively. The Bulldogs' 2-2-1 press generated some turnovers and transition baskets that quickly deflated the double-digit deficit.

Seniors Tori Paul and Savanna Massengill, and sophomore point guard Charley Cox combined for 25 points. Cox converted a four-point play after getting fouled on a 3-pointer, which pulled Princeton to within 35-34.

Massengill's offensive putback pushed the Dogs in front, 36-35, with 1:17 to go in the period. The teams traded the lead twice before Cox got fouled on a 3-point attempt to end the quarter. She knocked down all three free throws to make it 41-39.

"We decided at halftime we were going to come out and press," Gurganus said. "Our 2-2-1 is our best press we feel like. We either play it up, back or halfcourt ... mix it up a little bit to throw the offense off a little bit and I thought it worked well.

"We were getting some turnovers, getting some easy baskets. Then we decided if they broke it, we went to a box-and-one on 32 (Kayla Brown)."

Kelsey Peedin drew the defensive assignment against Brown, who buried five 3-pointers during the first 21/2 quarters of play. But she went silent in the Gators' offense.

McClure and Charity Powell picked up the offensive slack in the fourth period. The duo combined for 22 points and converted key second-chance opportunities.

"You've got to give them credit," Gurganus said of McClure and Powell. "They stepped up when we took 32 away. It was a gamble and I would do it again."

East Columbus held an eight-point lead in the final three-plus minutes, but could never put Princeton away. Cox drained her second 3-pointer of the game and Massengill, who led all scorers with 33 points, turned a steal into an uncontested layup.

The Dogs trailed 58-53.

The Gators kept a two-possession lead before Massengill knotted the game at 66-66 on two free throws with 29 seconds to go. East Columbus committed a turnover, Princeton misfired on the ensuing possession and McClure got fouled on an offensive rebound.

McClure (15 points) sank the back end of the two-shot foul, but the Bulldogs still had plenty of time to extend their season. Massengill's shot bounced off the rim and Princeton got the rebound.

After time was replaced on the clock, the Dogs put the ball in play and Massengill was covered on the screen play, which left Peedin alone underneath the basket. Her layup attempt just missed as time expired. Peedin finished with nine points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal.

"At the last timeout, I really thought we were going to win it," Gurganus said. "(We had a) great season. I love these girls. They have represented Princeton with so much class this year and so much integrity.

"East Columbus has got a good team, I wish them the best. It just hurts right now."