DIGGING IN: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player David ”Diggy” Coit heads up court in recent action. Last Wednesday, senior guard Coit scored 23 points to help PDS defeat Pennington 61-50 and post its fourth straight victory. The Panthers, now 6-3, play in the Monroe High tournament on December 27 and 29.  (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team fell to George School earlier this month, it was time for some soul-searching.

“After that loss up at George, we rededicated ourselves to playing PDS ball,” said Panther first-year head coach Doug Davis, noting that the 53-51 setback on December 8 was his squad’s second defeat to George this season.

“It is sticking with and trusting our offensive and defensive schemes and having a little more buy-in from guys.”

Davis saw that buy-in last Wednesday as the Panthers defeated rival Pennington 61-50 for their fourth straight win since the loss to George.

“They really had a bunch of fire and emotion,” said Davis, reflecting on the win which saw senior guard David “Diggy” Coit and sophomore standout Freddie Young Jr. each score 23 points as PDS improved to 6-3.

“Diggy was playing well, he was was hitting shots. Freddie made some shots. We had some guys step up with huge minutes; guys who wouldn’t necessarily be able to get some time. Jared McDonald and Shrey Parikh came off the bench. Shrey hit a 3 for us from the corner in the third quarter, which was huge. He was aggressive and got some rebounds. Jared was able to get some rebounds for us. Those little things were sparks, our guys just played off that.”

The play of Coit and Young on the backcourt had been a constant spark for the Panthers.

“You know what you are going to get with Diggy, he can shoot the ball pretty well,” said Davis.

“He is our senior guard, so we need some senior leadership from him. I am challenging him to be presenting himself on the defensive end like he is always present on the offensive end. Freddie gives us everything. Freddie can give us assists, he gets rebounds, he gets points.”

Junior transfer forward Lucas Green and junior guard Jomar Meekins have been giving Davis some good minutes.

“Lucas has been hitting the 3 for us, he is presence,” said Davis. “We need the height, he is 6’4, 6’5 and he is able to stretch defenses and get rebounds. That is what you ask for. Jomar Meekins has been unbelievable coming off the bench and playing well. He is just playing smart and within himself.”

Davis is looking for his team to keep playing well as it takes part in the Monroe High tournament on December 27 and 29.

“It will be good for us, we don’t know much about that tournament and those teams,” said Davis, whose team faces Brick Township in the opening round of the tourney. “It is going to be interesting. It is going to be a good way for our guys to stay connected, stay playing ball, and get ready for January and February.”

Davis, for his part, is developing a connection with his players.

“It is fun, I am having a blast; I am really taking to these guys and I am hoping they feel the same way,” said Davis. “That is the kind of environment that I want to have with the guys where we are more of a family. That is what we are preaching every practice and every game, being together.”