By BRIAN WOODSON
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
PRINCETON — Every high school basketball team wants to be playing its best in February. Count Parkersburg among those.
Princeton found out the hard way.
“We have a nice team, our kids started off the year a little sluggish, but we are playing really well down the stretch here...,” Parkersburg head coach Jeff Mennillo said. “They are getting better every game, they are starting to believe in themselves, they are excited.”
For good reason.
Ja’Darien Wade scored 23 points, and the Big Reds held Aaron Ferguson to just six of his own, as Parkersburg rolled to its sixth straight win with a 71-53 win over Princeton at Coach Ralph Ball Court on Wednesday night.
Parkersburg (13-6), which has won eight of its last 10 games, enjoyed its extended visit to southern West Virginia, sweeping three road games from Oak Hill, Woodrow Wilson and Princeton.
“We spent the night in a hotel, I was really concerned about what our energy levels would be,” Mennillo said. “I didn’t think we were as sharp as we were last night at Woodrow, but I thought we played as hard. We were just not as crisp, we had some bobbles with the ball and some bad walks and different things.”
That wasn’t a problem, not when the Big Reds made their first seven shots, and were 17-for-25 in the opening half from the field, taking a 40-22 lead into the break.
Princeton clawed back from a 17-6 deficit to within 18-16 after one quarter, and tied it on a putback by Aaron Ferguson to open the second period. It was all Parkersburg from there, with the Big Reds finishing the half with a 22-4 run.
“They have got some great shooters and they were able to make some shots,” Princeton head coach Ernie Gilliard said. “We had a very slow start early on and once we settled down we were able to make a few shots and make some plays and we got back in.
“Then they go on another run, I think probably a 22-4 run right there before the half that gave them a very comfortable lead.”
Wade spearheaded the attack, scoring 12 in the opening quarter, and 18 in the opening half. Jordan Colebank added nine points for the Big Reds.
“(Wade) is able to post it up, and tonight he showed me a side of his game that I haven’t seen him before,” Gilliard said. “That is his ability to play out on the perimeter, and he is very smooth.”
Ferguson was surrounded from the start, and was limited to six points, picking up two first half fouls. He picked up a second offensive foul early after the break, and followed that with a technical and went to the bench until late in the game.
“That is what we have seen since January, we have seen teams using a lot of junk defenses trying to take him out of the game or trying to reduce him as much as possible,” Gilliard said.
“Overall, I thought we did a great job, but ultimately I think him getting that technical foul when he got his third foul did himself in,” added Mennillo. “We will take credit for it.”
Jacob Whittington led Princeton with 15 points, but the Tigers could never get closer than 15 after the break. Ashton O’Dell and Colton Fix had six points each.
“I like this Princeton team, I think if they could put it all together they would have to be reckoned with in the sectional,” Mennillo said. “I think the point guard (Fix) is really good, the big kid is obviously very good.
“I think those other guys are pretty physical and fundamental. I think it is a good win, you saw what they did to (Parkersburg) South (an 83-76 loss). I think there is a lot of talent there. I think if they stay focused that is going to be a good basketball team.”
Princeton (6-11) returns to the court on Friday at Class AAA No. 4 Capital.
“Another team that is going to be blessed with quickness, kids that shoot the ball well,” Gilliard said, “kids that execute the dribble-drive well, and that may create some matchup problems for us based on their quickness.”

at Coach Ralph Ball Court
PRINCETON (12-6)
Darius Basta 2 2-2 6, Ja’Darien Wade 8 4-4 23, Zach Carroll 4 0-0 8, Jordan Colebank 4 1-4 9, Karson Snyder 3 0-0 8, Mike Ramsey 3 1-2 8, Jourdan Henderson 0 1-2 1, Garrett Smith 0 1-2 1, Ian McElroy 2 0-0 5, Kam White 1 0-0 2, Bradley Craig 0 0-0 0, Trevor Woodyard 0 0-0 0, Brady Willis 0 0-0 0, Ty Lawrence 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 10-16 71,
PRINCETON (6-11)
Colton Fix 3 0-2 7, Jacob Whittington 4 5-6 15, Ashton O’Dell 3 0-0 7, Logan McKinney 1 0-0 2, Aaron Ferguson 2 2-2 6, Cole Cochran 3 0-0 6, Garrison Hartwell 1 2-2 4, L.J. Reed 0 2-2 2, DaQuan Peavey 0 0-0 0, Tyler Boyd 1 0-0 2, Tanner Veneri 1 0-0 2, Lester Sturdivant 0 0-0 0, Aaron McCabe 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 11-14 53.
Parkersburg.........18 22 16 15 — 71
Princeton.............16 6 16 15 — 53
3-point goals: PK 7 (Wade 3, Snyder 2, Ramsey 1, McElroy 1); PR 4 (Whittington 2, Fix 1, O’Dell 1). Total fouls: PK 12; PR 12. Fouled out: none. Technicals: Ferguson. JV—PK 83-50.