Lady Vikes fall short in Regional Semifinals

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After winning their fourth consecutive District Championship, the Princeton girls' basketball team traveled to the Nutter Center, on the campus of Wright State University for the Regional Semifinals to take on the Centerville Elks on Wednesday, March 6. The game featured nine lead changes and eight ties, but the Elks would outscore the Lady Vikes 38-26 in the second half to defeat Princeton 71-61. The Lady Vikes end the season with a 19-8 record.

Trailing 19-12 at the end of the first quarter, Princeton outscored Centerville 23-14 in the second quarter to take a 35-33 lead into the locker room. The Lady Vikes were able to generate easy buckets in transition, scoring 10 points off turnovers, and 20 points in the paint to finish the first half.

Centerville's size became a huge factor in the second half. The Elks shot 50 percent (12-24) from the floor and scored 20 points in the paint. The defense limited Princeton to shooting 25 percent (7-28) from the floor. Princeton continued to battle back late in the half, but controversial calls late limited great scoring opportunities for Princeton. The Elks were led by Alex Henning and Madison Rittinger with 19 points each.

Princeton was led by Kelsey Mitchell with a game high 28 points. Mitchell also recorded 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Carlie Pogue added her fourteenth double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Corneisha Henderson sparked the offense off the bench in the first half with 5 points. Chelsea Mitchell added 5 points and 2 blocked shots, and Jasmyn Hardin chipped in with 4 points and 5 rebounds.

In her final game as a Princeton Viking, Emily Roper knocked down a big three pointer to finish with 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. Jada Bellew finished with 3 points, and Markayla Sherman added 2 points in the loss.