Seventh Grade Basketball Makes History

By Brayden Conrad

Success, achievement, and victory: just a few of words that describe a team that makes history, and the Princeville seventh grade basketball team did just that. The young Princes won the regional and the sectional championships and made it to the state quarterfinal game being the first ever Princeville seventh grade basketball team to do so. 

“These kids worked hard all season and put in a bunch of work in the summer to get ready for the season,” said head coach Chris Delbridge. Their hard work paid off when they finished with an overall record of eighteen wins and four losses. 

Princeville opened regional play with a 50-14 win over Colona. Parker Melick led the team in scoring with 13 points. Logan Olshawsky scored seven, and Tayshaun Kieser put up six. With their high- powered offense and a strong defense, Princeville then moved to the regional semifinals versus Wethersfield.

They came out of that game on top with a final score of 45-30. Melick was a key player, leading the time in scoring with a total of 15 points. The team then advanced to the regional championship.

Only winning three previous regionals, Princeville changed that number to four, beating Brimfield 33-29. Melick and Kieser both combined for 25 points leading the Princes to their victory. 

“We were the number two seed and they were the number one seed, and they beat us in the [regular season]. It felt good to get revenge,” said player Josh Hunt about the Brimfield game.

Powering on to the sectional round, Princeville beat Bushnell Prairie City 33-20, with Zach Stalter scoring eight points, and both Melick and Hunt putting up six. This victory advanced the Princes to state. 

“[This was my favorite] postseason game being down four [points] at half, and then going on to put fifteen [points] in the third quarter. The boys played a great game,” said Delbridge.

Princeville took their talents to Effingham St. Anthony in the state quarterfinal game, and suffered a hard fought loss 36-30. Princeville ended up finishing fourth in all of state. 

“This was a really fun season,” said Delbridge. “[The team] accepted every challenge they were given, they never let any moment get too big.”

The young princes not only accepted but excelled in every challenge they faced, from winning a regional to becoming the first seventh grade team from Princeville to win a sectional and make it to the state quarterfinals.