From staff reports
Princeton has experienced plenty of ups and downs this season, but the Tigers nearly pulled off a signature win Friday at the Big Atlantic Classic.
Matching up against No. 4 Parkersburg South in a Class AAA opening-round game, Princeton battled back from a double-digit deficit to pull as close as a single point, 77-76 on an Aaron Ferguson put-back with 21. 3 clicks left on the clock.
The Tigers, though, never made it over that hump, and a late turnover and some clutch Patriot free throws helped erase a possible upset as South escaped with an 83-76 victory.
Princeton’s effort was keyed by senior big man Aaron Ferguson, who put on a show with 36 points and 22 rebounds. He also dished out four assists and blocked four shots.
Colton Fix chipped in with 13 points to put the Tigers on the verge of a head-turner.
The Patriots’ scoring, as it’s been all season, was much more balanced. South put four players in double figures, led by 19 from Ty Dobson. JR Kerr scored 18 to go along with five rebounds, and Garrett Gilkerson scored 17 with five boards and four assists. Cody Monroe collected another double-double with 16 points and 11 boards. He also dished out a team-best six assists.
The biggest difference for South came on the offensive boards. Fifteen offensive rebounds led to 17 second-chance points, a number that doomed the Tigers.
Parkersburg South will play the Martinsburg in a championship game today at 5:40 p.m. Princeton will take on sectional rival Shady Spring in a consolation game at 10:40 a.m.

PRINCETON (6-7)
Colton Fix 4 4-4 13, Jacob Whittington 2 202 7, Ashton O’Dell 2 0-4 4, Logan McKinney 2 1-3 5, Aaron Ferguson 13 10-14 36, Cole Cochran 3 0-0 6, Aaron McCabe 1 909 3, Garrison Hartwell 1 0-0 2. Totals 28 17-27 76.
Parkersburg South (12-2)
Ty Dobson 4 8-12 19, Garrett Gilkerson 5 7-13 17, Cody Monroe 4 5-7 16, JR Kerr 7 4-4 18, Tyler Shelton 1 0-0 2, Cole Day 2 0-0 4, Logan Fryfogle 1 0-0 3, Cody Boggs 2 0-0 4. Totals 26 24-36 83.
Princeton........11 17 20 28 — 76
Parkersburg South... 21 15 21 26 — 83
3-pointers: P: 3 (Fix, Whittington, McCabe); PS: 7 (Dobson 3, Monroe 3, Fryfogle). Fouled out: P: McKinney.