April 5, 2023

PHS Baseball Has Plenty of Room for Growth, Needs to Play Within Itself to Be Competitive

THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Princeton High pitcher Wes Price fires a pitch in a game last spring. PHS is depending on senior Price to emerge as a key starter this season. The Tigers, who fell 8-7 to Hightstown in their season opener last Monday, host Hamilton West on April 5,WW/P-North on April 6, and Robbinsville on April 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In Dom Capuano’s view, the key to success for his Princeton High baseball team comes down to his players just being themselves.

“We need to make sure that we understand who we are,” said PHS head coach Capuano, who guided the Tigers to an 11-14 record last spring. “We have been preaching it. They have been doing a good job of it, making sure we are doing the little things right to maximize what we can do.”

As PHS has gone through the preseason, Capuano has seen that message getting through. more

Stanton Stepping In to Guide PHS Boys’ Lacrosse, Emphasizing a Daily Commitment to Getting Better

GETTING TO GOAL: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Patrick Kenah goes to goal in a 2022 contest. Junior star Kenah figures to trigger the PHS attack this spring. The Tigers start their 2023 campaign by playing at WW/P-North on April 6 and then hosting Scotch Plains-Fanwood on April 8 and Notre Dame on April 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Peter Stanton enjoyed a legendary tenure as the head coach of the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team from 1996 to 2015, getting inducted into the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2015.

Shifting roles within the program, Stanton has served as an assistant coach for PHS starting in 2016.

But with head coach Chip Casto on sabbatical for the 2022-23 school year, Stanton is back at the helm of the program this spring.

“It is pretty great but to be honest, I had some self-doubt just because stepping back there is lot more to being head coach,” said Stanton, who guided the program to more than 220 wins, two Mercer County Tournament crowns, and six Colonial Valley Conference titles during his tenure. “It is 24/7, it is always lacrosse season. I am very much an all-or-nothing person. I didn’t know if I could bring what I used to bring to it. It is not entirely like riding a bicycle, there are things that I forget.” more

Filling Void Left by Seniors with Precocious Freshmen, PHS Girls’ Lax Will Be Featuring Bevy of New Faces

OPENING SALVO: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Riley Devlin controls the ball in a game last spring. On Monday, junior midfielder Devlin tallied two goals and two assists to help PHS defeat Hightstown 16-7 in the season opener for both teams. The Tigers were slated to host WW/P-South on April 4 and are next in action when they play at Hillsborough on April 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

On one hand, the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team is dealing with a major void in the wake of the graduation of a senior class that drove the squad.

But as the Class of ’22 moves on, with four of the six playing at the college level, a corps of promising freshmen has arrived on the scene to fill that gap.

“The freshmen are really a special group, so I am excited to see what they do,” said PHS head coach Katie Federico, who led the Tigers to a 12-6 record last spring and a spot in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals. “They really look up to the upperclassmen and they are trying to learn through that. They stick together, they connect and they have been playing Ultimate club together. It reminds me of last year’s seniors, this crew is kind of the same.” more

Succeeding Coach Thomas to Guide PDS Girls’ Lacrosse, Young Determined to Continue Program’s Winning Ways

TURNING THE PAIGE: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Paige Gardner races upfield in 2022 action. Senior star and Fairfield University commit Gardner figures to spark the PDS attack again after having scored 78 goals last season as the Panthers won both the Prep B state and New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public Group B titles. PDS, which will be led by new coach Tracy Young in the wake of the retirement of the legendary Jill Thomas, was slated to open its 2023 campaign by hosting the Blair Academy on April 4, Shore Regional on April 6, and Pennington School on April 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Succeeding a legendary coach is never easy, but Tracy Young appears to be up for the challenge in getting promoted to lead the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse program.

With Jill Thomas, a member of the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame, having retired last year and going out in a blaze of glory guiding PDS to both Prep B state and New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public Group B titles, longtime assistant Young is now in charge of the Panthers.

Having served seven years a coach with the program, it has been a smooth transition so far for Young and her players.

“I think they were relieved — they know me and they know my coaching style,” said Young, a third grade teacher in the PDS lower school. “I think there is a sense of relief because they weren’t going have to start anew. I know the program, I know the players, I know the parents. Some of these are kids I have taught in my classroom. I have a very strong connection with the players and a strong connection with a lot of the families.” more

In Taking the Helm of PDS Baseball Program, Schnepf Bringing Focus on Attitude, Energy, Effort

GETTING IN THE SWING: Princeton Day School baseball player Ryan Vandal takes a swing in a game last spring. Senior Vandal figures to help PDS on the mound and with his bat in his final campaign. The Panthers, who fell 13-0 to Middlesex High last Monday in their season opener and first game under new head coach Eric Schnepf, play at Manville High on April 6, at New Hope Solebury High on April 10, and at Montclair Kimberley on April 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Eric Schnepf takes the helm of the Princeton Day School baseball program, he is espousing a philosophy that goes well beyond the diamond.

“We put a huge emphasis on controlling what we can control,” said Schnepf, who starred at Bridgewater-Raritan and then went on to play at Tufts University and served as an assistant coach for the Somerville High baseball program last year in his first taste of high school coaching.

“In sports, baseball, and life, you need to focus on the things you can control and master. We place a huge emphasis on competitiveness and the ability to overcome adversity. That is built on a standard of attitude, energy, and effort.”

Schnepf has been seeing those qualities from his players as they have prepared for the season. more

March 29, 2023

Tiger Men’s Hoops Ousted in NCAA Sweet 16, But Magical Run Leaving Indelible Memories

END OF THE RUN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Tosan Evbuomwan drives to the hoop in recent action. Last Friday, senior standout Evbuomwan tallied 24 points in a losing cause as 15th-seeded Princeton fell 86-75 to sixth-seeded Creighton in the NCAA Sweet 16 at the South Regional in Louisville, Ky. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 23-9 and ended a magical run which saw the Tigers advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the tournament was expanded to 64 teams in 1985. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last Friday night, the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., was transformed into Jadwin Gym south as the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team faced sixth-seeded Creighton in the NCAA Sweet 16 at the South regional.

The arena was a sea of orange and the Princeton fans were in full roar, serenading their squad with chants of “let’s go Tigers” as tip-off approached.

In the first half, Princeton gave its fans plenty to cheer about as it built a 38-35 lead with 4:28 to go before halftime. more

Senior Guard Langborg Goes Out with a Bang in Defeat As PU Men’s Hoops Falls to Creighton in NCAA Tourney

FIGHT TO THE FINISH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Ryan Langborg, left, drives around Penn’s George Smith in the Ivy League postseason tournament. Last Friday night, senior guard Langborg scored a game-high and career-high 26 points as 15th-seeded Princeton fell 86-75 to sixth-seeded Creighton last Friday in the Sweet 16 at the NCAA South Regional in Louisville, Ky. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

His eyes were reddened but Ryan Langborg managed a smile after the Princeton University men’s basketball team fell 86-75 to Creighton last Friday night in the Sweet 16 at the NCAA South Regional in Louisville, Ky.

Reflecting on Princeton’s magical run which saw the 15th-seeded Tigers upset second-seeded Arizona and seventh-seeded Missouri before losing to the sixth-seeded Bluejays, senior guard Langborg focused on the bonds with his teammates rather than the sting of the defeat.

“As much as you guys see us having fun on the court, we have even more fun when we are off the court, hanging out and playing video games together in the hotel,” said Langborg, standing in the Tiger locker room at the KFC Yum! Center a half hour after the loss that left the squad with a final record of 23-9. “We play a little trivia game all of the time; it just laughing and hanging out with my best buddies.” more

Local Standouts Scott, Ettin Enjoyed the Journey As PU Men’s Hoops Made Trip to NCAA Sweet 16

 

AMAZING JOURNEY: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jack Scott, left, a Hun School alum, and Tiger assistant coach Skye Ettin, a former Princeton High and The College of New Jersey standout, show their joy after upset victories in the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament. Last week, the pair were in Louisville, Ky., as the Tigers played in the Sweet 16. While the 15th-seeded Tigers fell 86-75 to sixth-seeded Creighton last Friday night at the South Regional, they will have special memories of the historic 2022-23 campaign. (Photos provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Jack Scott and Skye Ettin honed their basketball skills by toiling in gyms all over New Jersey.

Scott played three years for the Hun School boys’ basketball team from 2019-22 while Ettin starred at Princeton High before going to The College of New Jersey where he served as a team captain for three seasons, culminating with the 2014-15 campaign.

Last week, the pair was 700 miles and worlds away from their Garden State roots as they arrived in Louisville, Ky., for the NCAA Sweet 16 as members of the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s hoops squad that had captivated the nation with stunning upsets of second-seeded Arizona and seventh-seeded Missouri in the first weekend of March Madness on the way to the South Regional.

For Tiger freshman guard Scott, the highlight of the run, which saw Princeton advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the tournament was expanded to 64 teams in 1985, has been the bonds developed with his teammates. more

With Sophomore Star Mackesy Exploding for 8 Goals, PU Men’s Lax Routs Yale 23-10, Snaps 4-Game Skid

GOAL-ORIENTED: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy goes to goal in a 2022 game. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Mackesy fired in a career-high eight goals to help Princeton defeat Yale 23-10 and snap a four-game losing streak. Mackesy, who also added two assists to reach a career-high 10 points and become the ninth player in program history to reach double figures in a game, was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. Princeton, now 3-4 overall and 1-1 Ivy, hosts Brown on April 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Although the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team’s matchup with Yale last Saturday came halfway through the regular season, it had a must-win feeling as the Tigers challenged themselves from top to bottom.

“All our groups — coaches, players, staff, everyone — put a ton of pressure on themselves this week to have a better sense of urgency and clean it up a little bit,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. “And then get yourself in a position to execute on game day. I’m really impressed with our seniors and captains again. We went at those guys pretty hard and had them teetering — you’ve gotta believe or not believe. Those guys did a really good job of believing and getting it back. You’re a couple opportunities, a couple bounces away from not feeling like that.”

The Tigers were coming off four straight losses, including back-to-back deflating overtime defeats to Rutgers (14-13 on March 11) and Penn (9-8 on March 18). It would have been easy for Princeton to tighten up further when they fell behind 1-0 to the Bulldogs over the first eight minutes, hit a pair of pipes, and saw top face-off specialist Tyler Sandoval go down with an apparent knee injury.

Then sophomore attacker Coulter Mackesy, whose shots had been the ones to clang off the pipe, including one from midfield with the Yale goalie scrambling back into cage, scored to tie it. Barely a minute later, he tallied another to help Princeton go ahead. Mackesy ended up scoring five straight to help the Tigers grab an 8-1 lead and control of the game on their way to a record-setting 23-10 victory over the visiting Bulldogs at Class of 1952 Stadium on otherwise dreary Saturday. The 23 goals scored were the most the Tigers have ever had against Yale in the 108 meetings in the series.
“If you get a hot hand, keep shooting,” said Mackesy, who finished with a career-high eight goals and two assists for 10 points, making him the ninth player in program history to reach double figures in a game. “I was just playing free and loose. Shooting to score is kind of the biggest thing. Playing relaxed out there and having fun, it made it easier for me. There was high energy from the whole team.” more

PHS Boys’ Swim Star Baytin, Tiger Girls’ Wrestler Rose Earn the Nod as Town Topics’ Leading Winter Performers

MAKING WAVES: Princeton High boys’ swimming star Daniel Baytin displays his breaststroke form in a race this past winter. Senior Baytin produced a memorable final campaign, setting a school record in the 100-yard breaststroke and getting named as the Most Valuable Swimmer at the Mercer County Swimming Championships as PHS won its second straight team title. He helped the Tigers reach the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2, Group B sectional final and culminated his PHS career by placing third in the 100 breast at the Meet of Champions. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Daniel Baytin liked what he saw from the Princeton High boys’ swimming team heading into the winter.

“Our team is a lot faster this year,” said PHS senior star Baytin. “When I was here as a freshman we were fast but nowhere near as fast as this team. The younger guys are growing, they are a lot bigger.”

Baytin, though, proved to be the fastest of the Tiger boys’ swimmers. He set a school record in the 100-yard breaststroke in a meet against WW/P-South in early January, clocking a time 57.22, breaking his previous mark of 58.48.

“It is my main event, I have been swimming it for four years,” said Baytin, who also took first in the 50 freestyle in the meet as PHS topped previously undefeated WW/P-S 126-44. “It is good to drop time definitely. It is still going to get knocked down. It means a lot to me, it is a legacy. I hope my brother (Stephen) one day will beat it.”

In Baytin’s view, he was just scratching the surface of what he could accomplish this winter with the record swim.

“I have just been getting back in shape, the season is far from over,” said Baytin. “The fun stuff is still coming.” Over the course of the season, Baying ended up having a lot of fun. more

Looking to Produce Another Championship Campaign, Hun Softball Emphasizing the Basics, Staying Positive

POWER SOURCE: Hun School softball player Lexi Kobryn smacks the ball in a game last season. Junior Kobryn enjoyed a huge sophomore campaign last spring, hitting .500 with team highs in homers (7), RBIs (28), and runs (30) in addition to being the team’s pitching ace with six no-hitters and 190 strikeouts in 87 innings. Kobryn’s heroics helped Hun go 18-1 and win its first Prep A state title since 2017. Picking up where they left off, the Raiders started their 2023 campaign by sweeping a doubleheader from Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Sunday, winning 16-0 and 15-0. Hun will be playing at the Lawrenceville School on March 30, at Penn Charter (Pa.) on April 1, and at the Peddie School on April 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There is a target on the back of the Hun School softball team as it comes into its 2023 campaign.

Having rolled to an 18-1 record last spring and winning its first Prep A state title since 2017, Kathy Quirk warned her players that they will be getting the best efforts of their foes this spring.

“As we told them, every team is going to be out to get you,” said head coach Quirk, who is entering her 48th season at the helm of the program.

In order to prepare for that challenge, the Raiders headed south to Vero Beach, Fla., for their annual preseason trip and some bonding.

“It was a great experience that way; the girls had a lot of time together, we went golfing one day,” said Quirk. “It is one of these places where you are stuck on a compound where we do everything together.” more

March 22, 2023

Producing Stunning NCAA Run, PU Men’s Hoops Makes Sweet 16

HOW SWEET IT IS: Princeton University men’s basketball star Matt Allocco jumps for joy in the waning moments of 15th-seeded Princeton’s 59-55 upset of second-seeded Arizona last Thursday in their NCAA tournament South Region first-round game in Sacramento, Calif. The Tigers went on to defeat seventh-seeded Missouri 78-63 on Saturday to advance to the Sweet 16. Princeton will face sixth-seeded Creighton (23-12) in a round of 16 contest on March 24 in Louisville, Ky. (Photo provided by Princeton Athletics)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University men’s basketball team is still dancing after winning two straight games to start the NCAA tournament.

That hasn’t happened since Tiger fans were dancing in 1965 to the No. 1 song “My Girl,” by the Temptations.

“I feel like these guys; it’s unbelievable,” said Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson, reflecting on his squad’s stunning run.

Princeton won a pair of games in different fashion to reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. The 15th-seeded Tigers relied on a determined defensive effort to rally late past second-seeded Arizona for a 59-55 victory in their South Region first-round game last Thursday in Sacramento, Calif. more

Showing Grit, Stifling Defense in Dramatic NCAA Run Tiger Women’s Hoops Edges N.C. State, Falls to Utah

STONE COLD: Princeton University women’s basketball player Grace Stone heads to the hoop in recent action. Last Friday, senior guard Stone drained a three-pointer with 4.7 seconds left in regulation to give the 10th-seeded Tigers a 64-63 win over seventh-seeded N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA tournament’s Greenville 2 Region in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two days later, Stone scored 16 points with a game-high four 3-pointers but it wasn’t enough as Princeton fell 63-56 to second-seeded Utah. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 24-6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Grace Stone clearly didn’t want it to end.

As Princeton University women’s basketball team trailed  N.C. State last Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament’s Greenville 2 Region in Salt Lake City, Utah, senior guard Stone drained a three-pointer from the corner to give the Tigers a 64-63 win and keep their season alive.

“That is a play we practiced over, and over; that is a shot I have taken in a game before,” said Stone, who scored with 4.7 seconds left in the game. “I think my teammates have all the confidence in the world in me. I knew, if I missed the shot, they would get the offensive rebound. It is really hard not to shoot with confidence when you have teammates like mine. Yes, I think before the play, I knew what shot we had to get. When it happened, I blacked out. Then afterwards, just a bunch of hugs.”

Princeton head coach Carla Berube was not surprised to see Stone come up with the clutch bucket. more

PU Wrestling Star Glory Wins NCAA Title at 125, Earning 1st National Crown for Program Since 1951

GLORY DAY: Princeton University wrestler Pat Glory celebrates after winning the 125-pound title at the NCAA Championships last Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. Senior Glory defeated Matt Ramos of Purdue 4-1 in the final. It marked the first national title for the program since Bradley Glass placed first at heavyweight in 1951. (Photo by Lisa Elfstrum, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Justin Feil

Pat Glory is going to make the Princeton University wrestling program do some redecorating in its practice room. 

The team will be adding a framed photo of the Tiger senior after he claimed the second NCAA championship in program history with a 4-1 win over Matt Ramos of Purdue in the 125-pound final at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday.

“I cannot wait,” said Glory, a Randolph resident who attended Delbarton. “I’m so ecstatic because it gets old walking into the room and seeing the same big picture underneath the national championship wall.” more

Tiger Women’s Lax Loses Nail-Biter to Penn State, But Junior Midfielder Buonanno Shines in Defeat

KARI ON: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Kari Buonanno races upfield last Saturday against Penn State. Junior midfielder Buonanno tallied four goals and an assist in a losing cause as Princeton fell 16-14 to the Nittany Lions. The Tigers, now 3-3, play at Cornell on March 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kari Buonanno has dealt with plenty of adversity over her career with the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team.

As a freshmen, Buonanno’s season was halted after five games when the sports world was shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.

After taking a gap year, Buonanno returned to the team last spring and missed five games due to injury.

Back at full speed coming into the 2023 campaign, Buonanno is primed to make up for lost time. more

PHS Boys’ Hoops Overcame Shaky Start, Showing Growth in Superb Late Season Run

RISING STAR: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Jahan Owusu goes up for a shot in a game this winter. Junior star guard Owusu emerged as a go-to scorer for the Tigers, tallying a team-high 314 points as PHS went 10-13 and advanced to the Mercer County Invitational final. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton High boys’ basketball team started its 2022-23 campaign by losing five of its first six games, it looked like it could be a bleak winter for the squad.

Instead, PHS found a rhythm, advancing to the Mercer County Invitational final and nearly pulling off a big upset in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional on the way to posting a 10-13 record.

“We got better each game, by the end of the year, we really got rolling,” said PHS head coach Pat Noone. “Throughout the season, that is what you want. You want them to get better each day and these guys definitely did that. It was a lot fun and it made an enjoyable end of the season run.” more

Employing a Gritty Style with a Superb Backcourt, PDS Boys’ Hoops Advanced the Program Forward

TAKING HIS SHOT: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Jaden Dublin puts up a shot in a game this winter. Senior guard Dublin proved to be a catalyst for PDS as it went 8-16 and advanced to the Prep B state semis. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The mantra that Eugene Burroughs repeated throughout this winter to his Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team was “advance the program forward.”

Employing a gritty style and featuring a trio of superb senior guards in Jaden Dublin, Jaden Hall, and Mason McQueen, PDS did just that.

“We won three more games than last year which is a testament to this group and how they meshed together,” said Panther head coach Burroughs, whose team posted an 8-16 record. “We were probably one shot away from moving on in that state tournament and we played well enough to win.” more

With Coach Bowman Returning to the Helm, Stuart Hoops Made Progress in Transition Year

PASSING LANE: Stuart County Day School basketball player Emily Ix passes the ball in a game this winter. Senior star Ix provided production and leadership as Stuart showed progress down the stretch in going 5-6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Stuart County Day School basketball team, ending the winter with a pair of wins exemplified the progress it made in a season of transition.

With Tony Bowman returning to take the helm of the program after guiding the Tartans from 2003-11 and the roster down to seven players, it took a while for Stuart to get in sync.

“It was challenging in the beginning and then it became fun and we started playing basketball,” said Bowman, whose team topped STEM Civics 57-16 and Hamilton West 40-31 in the last week of the season to end the winter with a record of 5-6. “It was definitely a process. The kids had to get used to me and I had to get used to them. You come into somebody else’s system and then it breaks down from 12 kids to seven. Those are some of the things that you don’t foresee.” more

With Hun Baseball Coming Off Banner Campaign, Raiders Looking to Pick Up Where They Left Off

MIGHTY MIKE: Hun School baseball player Mike Chiaravallo takes a swing in action last season. Senior outfielder Chiaravallo led the Raiders in homers with nine last spring as they won the program’s first-ever Mercer County Tournament crown and cruised to the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title. Hun opens the 2023 season by hosting Lawrenceville on March 23. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Hun School baseball team coming off a banner campaign that saw it win the program’s first-ever Mercer County Tournament crown and cruise to the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title, there is a positive vibe around the squad as it looks ahead to this spring.

“There is lot of confidence and a lot of excitement too, there are some guys who are going to get more opportunities to play than they have in the past that are ready for it,” said Hun head coach Tom Monfiletto who guided the Raiders to a 20-4 record in 2022. “There is also a lot of room to grow too, which is exciting for the coaching staff.” more

March 20, 2023

PU Women’s Hoops Falls to Utah in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

A late rally fell short for the 10th-seeded Princeton University women’s basketball team as it lost 63-56 to second-seeded Utah in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday night in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Tigers trailed 40-30 midway through the third quarter and narrowed the gap to 50-48 with 7:00 left in regulation but could get no closer than that as they ended the season with a 24-6 record. Junior guard Kaitlyn Chen tallied 19 points to lead the Tigers, with senior Grace Stone chipping in 16 points in her final appearance for Princeton.

While the defeat stung, Princeton head coach Carla Berube had no qualms with the effort she got from her scrappy squad.

“We feel like we came up short of our goal, but you know I think we battled from minute one to minute 40, and I couldn’t be prouder of my team and how hard we played,” said Berube, whose team is the first Ivy League women’s program to post NCAA tourney wins in consecutive seasons.

“Some shots just didn’t fall for us,” said Berube. “They fouled a little bit too much. Utah is a very, very good team — very talented, hard to guard. Really great at every position. We had our work cut out for us. But I think we were right there. I’m just so happy that I get to coach them every single day and when I put on my Princeton shirt every day and represent them, it’s such a great gift.”

March 19, 2023

PU Men’s Basketball Team Advances to Sweet 16

By Bill Alden

Advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1967, the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team whipped seventh-seeded Missouri 79-63 in a second-round contest Saturday night in Sacramento, Calif.

Senior guard Ryan Langborg scored a game-high 22 points to pace the Tigers, who jumped out to a 33-26 halftime lead and then reeled off a 13-2 run midway through the second half and cruised to victory. Princeton, now 23-8, will head to the South Regional in Louisville, Ken., where they will face the winner of the second-round game between third-seeded Baylor and sixth-seeded Creighton in the Round of 16 on March 24.

For Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson, a former Tiger standout who helped the program win NCAA first round games in 1996 and 1998, making the Sweet 16 is a literally a dream come true.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing deep into the tournament,” said Henderson, who got 17 points off the bench from sophomore Blake Peters with senior star Tosan Evbuomwan contributing nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists. “As a player, I got to the second round a couple times. Never got beyond it. I feel like for these guys, it’s unbelievable.”

Evbuomwan, for his part, shared Henderson’s sentiments.

“I can’t really put the feeling into words right now, to be honest,” said Evbuomwan. “It’s just an unreal feeling to do this with my guys and my teammates, coaching staff. Like coach said, it’s been a few years in the making, I think. We just have such a close group. We love to work with each other. We love to push each other. It’s showing. Just a group of really tough guys. It’s all coming together at the right time I think.”

March 18, 2023

PU Women’s Hoops Tops NC State 64-63 in First Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

Winning a NCAA tournament game for the second straight year, the 10th-seeded Princeton University women’s basketball team rallied to a 64-63 victory over seventh-seeded N.C. State Friday night in Salt Lake City, Utah in a first-round contest.

Senior star Grace Stone drained a three-pointer from the corner with 4.7 seconds left in regulation to provide the margin of victory as the Tigers came back from a 63-55 deficit with 5:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. Princeton, now 24-5, will host face host and second seeded Utah (26-4) in a second-round contest on Sunday night.

The Tigers, who had upset Kentucky in the first round of the 2022 NCAA tourney, made it a historic weekend for Princeton and Ivy League basketball. With the 15th-seeded Tiger men having rallied to shock second-seeded Arizona 59-55 a day earlier in an NCAA opening round game, it marked the first time ever that two Ivy teams have advanced to the second round of the tournament in the same year.

 “I am just so thrilled with that win; I mean, that is what it is about at this time — getting wins,” said Princeton head coach Carla Berube, who got 22 points from both Stone and junior guard Kaitlyn Chen in the win. “We certainly didn’t play a great 40 minutes of basketball, but we made the plays we needed to down the stretch. The defense came up big. We made really big shots when we needed to. We had to grind it out and get gritty and just make the plays and make the shots.”

March 17, 2023

PU Men’s Hoops Stuns Arizona in First Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

Rallying from a 10-point deficit with 7:43 left in regulation, the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team stunned second-seeded Arizona 59-55 in the first round of the NCAA tournament Thursday in Sacramento, Calif.

Senior forward Tosan Evbuomwan sparked the comeback, tallying 15 points with seven rebounds and four assists as the Tigers improved to 22-8. Princeton, which held the Wildcats scoreless for the last 4:43 of the contest, will now face seventh-seeded Missouri in a second-round contest on Saturday.

The triumph marked the first win for the program in the NCAA tournament since 1998 and came 27 years to the day of Princeton’s historic 43-41 upset of defending NCAA champ UCLA with current Tiger coach Mitch Henderson as the point guard of that squad. more

March 15, 2023

Overcoming Nemesis Yale in Ivy Madness Final, PU Men’s Hoops Makes NCAAs, Will Face Arizona

FLYING HIGH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Tosan Evbuomwan flies to the hoop last Saturday as Princeton defeated Penn 77-70 in the Ivy Madness postseason tournament semis. A day later, senior star Evbuomwan tallied 21 points with five rebounds and four assists to help the Tigers defeat Yale 74-65 in the final. Princeton, now 21-8, is seeded 15th in the NCAA tourney and will face second-seeded Arizona in a first round contest on March 16 in Sacramento, Calif. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The third time proved to be the charm for the Princeton University men’s basketball team as it hosted nemesis Yale in the final of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament last Sunday.

After having lost 87-65 at Yale on January 28 and then suffering a brutal 93-83 overtime defeat to the Bulldogs in mid-February which saw Princeton squander a 63-44 second half lead, the Tigers turned the tables on their rival when it mattered most. more

Riding Stifling Defense to Ivy Madness Championship, PU Women’s Hoops Playing NC State in NCAA Opener

DEFENSIVE STAND: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ellie Mitchell defends a Penn player last Friday in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament at Jadwin Gym. Princeton defeated Penn 60-47 and then went on to rally from an 11-point second half deficit to edge Harvard 54-48 in the final a day later. The Tigers, who improved to 23-5 overall, will now head west to start play in the NCAA tournament where they are seeded 10th and will face seventh-seeded N.C. State in a first-round contest on March 17 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton University women’s basketball team lost its first two Ivy League games this season after having won 42 straight league contests, it looked like the setbacks could herald a changing of the guard at the top of the Ivy heap.

But showing resolve, Princeton responded to the defeats to Harvard and Columbia by winning its next 12 league games to share the regular season Ivy title with the Lions. Last weekend at the friendly confines of Jadwin Gym, the Tigers capped their run at the Ivy Madness postseason tournament, beating Penn 60-47  last Friday in the semis and then rallying from an 11-point second half deficit to edge Harvard 54-48 in the final a day later.

Princeton, who improved to 23-5 overall as it posted its 15th-straight win, will now head west to start play in the NCAA tournament where it is seeded 10th and will face seventh-seeded N.C. State (20-11) in a first-round contest on March 17 in Salt Lake City, Utah. more