DOUBLE THREAT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Bella Alarie heads to the hoop in a game last season. Last Saturday, sophomore star Alarie tallied a game-high 21 points and had 11 rebounds to lead Princeton to a 63-57 win at Davidson. It marked Alarie’s third straight double-double. The Tigers, now 3-1 host Villanova on November 29 and Delaware on December 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Looking ahead to the season, Courtney Banghart believed that she had put together a challenging schedule that would force her Princeton University women’s basketball team to compete, and not just play.

Displaying competitive zeal, the Tigers have been up to the task, producing a 3-1 start, topping George Washington (72-52 on November 10) and Seton Hall (85-83 on November 16) and then falling to Georgia Tech (67-56 on November 19) before rebounding with a 63-57 win at Davidson last Saturday.

Princeton head coach Banghart likes the way her squad has risen to the challenge.

“The schedule has been really difficult; we have had young people we can count on and we have older guys that we have been able to count on,” said Banghart.

“I have said all along, this is a really good team and it’s fun to watch them grow.”

Sophomore star Bella Alarie is growing into a dominant force, averaging a team-high 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.

“Bella has gotten better and better; she has such a huge impact on the game on both ends,” said Banghart of Alarie, who tallied 21 points and had 11 rebounds in the win over Davidson, her third straight double-double. “She is a really special talent.”

Just four games into the campaign, freshman guard Carlie Littlefield has already made a huge impact, averaging 12.0 points, 2.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds a game.

“She is a quintessential point guard; she can run a team, she can score, she can hit the three, she can go all the way to the rim, she has a pull up game, she gets others involved, and she defends over 94 feet,” said Banghart.

“We always say a good point guard makes playing the game easy and a team without a point guard makes playing the game really difficult. She makes our game easy.”

One of the team’s veterans, senior Tia Weledji, has raised her game. “We needed her to play like a senior and she has done that so far,” said Banghart of Weledji, who has been contributing 12.0 points and 4.0 rebounds a contest.

“You have to count on your seniors when you need them; she has given us a lot without a doubt.”

While encouraged by the 3-1 start, Banghart sees room for growth at both ends of the floor.

“We are pretty good at defending our own, but as we have to defend more and more teams, it is being able to communicate in play,” said Banghart.

“That is what you expect from a young team and we are still learning to do that. Offensively, we are playing so fast that we are turning over the ball too much. It is earning easy ones and putting pressure on the defense with valuing the possession. We are still a little further away from where we need to be there.”

The Tigers will be under pressure this week as they host Villanova, who defeated Princeton in the opening round of the WNIT last winter, on November 29 and Delaware on December 2.

“Villanova almost went to the Final 4 of the WNIT last year, they start three seniors who have played almost every minute they have been there,” said Banghart.

“It is a really experienced team that runs a really difficult action for a young team to figure out. It is going to be a test of two postseason teams, it should be a really neat battle. Delaware has been playing really well under a new coach with a lot of new energy and a really talented roster. The schedule doesn’t get any easier.”

In Banghart’s view, her squad could end up being really difficult to beat.

“This team continues to get better, I think we have an opportunity to be really, really good,” asserted Banghart.

“Therefore, we are going to go through times where we think we can be better and times where we are sailing. It is staying in the moment when you have a really good team.”