Holmes Welcomes Princeton

We head south of the river as the FOX19/QCH Hoops Tailgate Tour tips off its season at Holmes High School for an epic intrastate battle between the Bulldogs and the Princeton Vikings.

The game is loaded with Division I talent and promises to be filled with athletic plays on both sides of the court. One thing is for sure both schools are looking for a signature win before conference play heats up.

The game will air live on FOX19 and is set for a 6:00 p.m. start.

PRINCETON VIKINGS

Division I, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Josh Andrews

2009-10 RECORD: 4-1, 3-0

HOLMES BULLDOGS

District 35

HEAD COACH: Dave Henley

2009-10 RECORD: 6-1, 1-0

Princeton's key to Victory: The Vikings will look to get defensive pressure on the point guard. Easy baskets will go a long way in the favor of Princeton in this affair. The team must neutralize the Bulldogs' inside game. If they can do that and win the battle on the boards then this squad will have a more than fighting chance of coming out on top.

Holmes' key to Victory: Jumping out to a quick lead will be a huge advantage for Holmes. Princeton is not a deep team and shoots just 26 percent from three-point land. They must stop/tire out point guard Marcus Davis. Forcing the Vikings to play an up-tempo pace early in the game could be just the medicine that the Bulldogs need to pull away late in the contest.

Players to Watch: Princeton shooting guard Jordan Sibert is Ohio State-bound and the real deal. The senior is a well-rounded player the senior averages 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals per game. Perhaps the Vikings' biggest surprise this season is the production they have gotten out of forward Darrien Wilkins. The senior is averaging 18.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

Bulldog Ricardo Johnson could pose matchup problems for the Princeton guards. The seniors 6-foot-4 inch frame and strength should be used to his advantage. Big man Elijah Pittman needs to establish an inside presence before he starts to float outside and shoot triples for Holmes.

A third player must step up for one of these squads and a put up big numbers. Forward Jeremiah Johnson can fill that role for Holmes. Princeton forward Jay McCants can make a statement about being consistent and his value to his team with a big outing in this tilt.

Team Trends: Holmes has not blown teams out like they did a year ago. The Bulldogs average margin of victory is 11 points with no wins of 20 or more points. Take out a 21-point loss to Oak Hill Academy (VA), the nation's #2 rated team and the Vikings have won their other four contests by an average of 21.5.

Prediction: Holmes 72, Princeton 69

*Stay tuned to FOX19 and QueenCityHigh.com for complete coverage and postgame analysis.