December 21, 2016

ON POINT: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Sam Serxner looks to pass the ball last Friday night as PHS opened the season against visiting WW/P-S. Senior point guard Serxner scored a team-high 17 points to help PHS prevail 57-41 in the debut for new head coach Pat Noone. The Little Tigers host Nottingham on December 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

With new coach Pat Noone taking the helm of the Princeton High boys’ hoops program, the intensity level has been racheted up. more

GETTING AFTER IT: Princeton High girls’ hockey player Alexa Zammit heads up the ice in a game last season. Junior defenseman and assistant captain Zammit has tallied a goal and an assist so far this season as PHS has gotten off to a 0-2 start, falling 7-4 to Pingry in its opener on December 13 and then losing 9-3 to Princeton Day School a day later. The Little Tigers play at Mater Dei on December 22 before going on holiday break. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Although his Princeton High girls’ hockey team lost its first two games this winter, Christian Herzog has seen some encouraging signs. more

STRONG COFFEY: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Tyler Coffey heads up ice in game last season. Over the weekend, junior forward Coffey starred as PDS won the championship at its 47th annual Harry Rulon-Miller ’51 Invitational. On Friday, Coffey scored three goals to help PDS defeat Rye Country Day (N.Y.) 8-1 in an opening round contest. A day later, Coffey chipped in two assists as the Panthers topped Chatham High 4-0 in the championship game. PDS, which improved to 6-3-1 with the win over Chatham, was slated to play at Don Bosco on December 20 before taking a holiday hiatus. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Having missed some games earlier this season with a leg injury, Tyler Coffey made up for lost time last weekend as the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team hosted its 47th annual Harry Rulon-Miller ’51 Invitational. more

IN CONTROL: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player Kristi Serafin controls the puck in recent action. Last weekend, senior captain and star defenseman Serafin starred as PDS won its Harry Rulon-Miller ’51 Invitational. On Friday, Serafin tallied a goal and two assists to help PDS defeat Summit 13-4 in an opening round game. A day later, Serafin chipped in two assists as the Panthers topped Rye Country Day (N.Y.) 6-1 in the championship game. PDS, now 5-1, is next in action when it hosts Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) on January 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Kristi Serafin and her teammates on the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team were determined to give a little more at both ends of the ice as they hosted Rye Country Day (N.Y.) in the championship game of the Harry Rulon-Miller ’51 Invitational. more

KEEPING UP WITH JONES: Hun School girls’ basketball player Jada Jones puts up a shot in a game earlier this season. The addition of sophomore transfer Jones has helped the Raiders get off to a 2-4 start, already doubling last year’s win total when they went 1-22. Hun is next in action when it plays at Princeton Day School on January 5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

For many basketball teams, getting off to a 2-4 start would be a cause for concern. more

LEADING THE WAY: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Maddie Michaels drives to the hoop in recent action. Last Thursday against Princeton Day School, junior forward and team captain Michaels scored eight points to help Stuart prevail 62-32. The Tartans, who improved to 7-0 with a 52-33 win over Manville last Monday, are next in action when they host their Stuart Invitational on December 27, 28, and 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Hosting its Great Road rival Princeton Day School last Thursday, the Stuart Country Day basketball team had plenty of reason to be fired up. more

December 14, 2016

FALCK LAND: Princeton University women’s hockey player Kiersten Falck skates hard in a game last winter. This past Saturday, junior forward Falck tallied two goals and an assist to help Princeton defeat Mercyhurst 4-2 in the opener of a two-game set between the teams. A day later, the Tigers posted a second straight win over the Lakers, prevailing 5-2. The victory gave Princeton its fourth straight win and improved it to 9-6-1 overall heading into the holiday break. The Tigers are next in action when they host Penn State on December 31 and Quinnipiac on January 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Kiersten Falck took on a grinder role for the Princeton University women’s hockey team last season. more

TAYLOR MADE: Princeton University women’s basketball player Taylor Brown dribbles up court in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, senior point guard and co-captain Brown scored 14 points with five assists and four rebounds to help Princeton rout Lafayette 65-27. The Tigers, who lost 57-55 at Fordham last Saturday to drop to 4-5, play at Kansas State on December 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

As the Princeton University women’s basketball team started its season by losing its first four games, Taylor Brown wasn’t looking for her shot. more

ROCK AND ROLL: Princeton High boy’ hockey player Rocco Salvato heads up the ice last Monday as PHS played Hopewell Valley. Freshman Salvato contributed an assist to help the Little Tigers prevail 4-0 and improve to 5-0-1. PHS will look to keep on the winning track when it plays at Pennington on December 14 and at Monroe on December 16 before hosting Wall on December 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Rocco Salvato is only a freshman but he has been thrust into a key role for the Princeton High boys’ hockey team this winter. more

MAKING A GRAB: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Jamaica Ponder grabs a rebound in action last season. PHS will be looking for senior guard Ponder to provide scrappy play again this winter. The Little Tigers tip-off the 2016-17 season by playing at WW/P-S in their first game under new head coach Steve Hennessy. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Steve Hennessy has proven to be a man for all seasons when it comes to coaching. more

MIGHTY MAC: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball star John MacArthur makes a pass in a game last season. Senior forward MacArthur’s emergence as a go-to scorer has helped PDS get off to a 5-0 start this winter. The Panthers are next in action when they compete in the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Pa.) Tournament from December 16-18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

John McArthur was having a relatively quiet game through three quarters as the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team hosted Abington Friends last Thursday in its home opener. more

After falling 62-61 to Lawrenceville School in the semifinals of the Peddie School Invitational Tournament (PSIT) on Saturday, the Hun School boys’ basketball team found itself in another nailbiter a day later as it faced Gilman School (Md.) in the third-place game of the tournament.

Having lost three games by a total of five points already this season, Hun picked up the intensity at both ends of the court to pull out a 67-66 win over the Greyhounds in a game that was tied at 50-50 entering the fourth quarter. more

COMING THROUGH: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Brooke Smukler drives through two defenders in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore guard Smukler scored nine points to help PDS defeat the George School (Pa.) 42-26 and improve to 2-2. The Panthers play at Stuart Country Day on December 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Although the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team doesn’t have a player taller than 5’9 on its roster this season, Kamau Bailey believes the squad can still do big things. more

RICHE MAN: Princeton University men’s hockey player Alex Riches glides up the ice in a game last winter. Last Friday, sophomore forward Riche chipped in a goal and an assist as Princeton defeated No. 7 Quinnipiac 5-3 at Baker Rink in the first game of a home-and-home set. A night later in Hamden, Conn., Riche and the Tigers prevailed again, posting a 4-1 win over the Bobcats. Princeton, now 5-7-1 overall and 3-6-1 ECAC Hockey, hosts No. 19 Minnesota State for a two-game set on December 16 and 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Alex Riche helped the Princeton University men’s hockey team get off to a fast start last Friday as it hosted No. 7 Quinnipiac to start a home-and-home set. more

NIC OF TIME: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Nic Petruolo heads up the ice in recent action. Last week, junior defenseman Petruolo scored two goals to help PDS pull out a 3-3 tie against St. Joseph High (Metuchen). The Panthers, now 3-3-1, will be hosting their 47th annual Harry Rulon-Miller ’51 Invitational from December 16-17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

With the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey missing star goalie Logan Kramsky and high-scoring forward Tyler Coffey as it hosted St. Joseph High (Metuchen) last week, Nic Petruolo was ready to shoulder more responsibility. more

December 7, 2016

FAMILY TRADITION: Princeton University women’s basketball player Leslie Robinson, left, goes in for a lay-up in recent action. Last Wednesday, junior forward Robinson contributed 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists to help Princeton defeat Seton Hall 94-67 and post its third straight win. Robinson, the daughter of Princeton men’s hoops legend Craig Robinson and the niece of  President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama (nee Robinson), is averaging 9.1 points and 7.3 rebounds a game and leads the Tigers with 20 assists. Princeton, now 3-4, hosts Lafayette on December 7 and plays at Fordham on December 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Craig Robinson enjoyed a legendary career with the Princeton University men’s basketball team, scoring 1,441 points and getting named the Ivy Player of the Year in both 1982 and 1983. more

SWITCHED UP: Princeton University women’s hockey player Kelsey Koelzer guards the defensive zone in a game earlier this season. Last weekend, senior star Koelzer was moved up to forward from defense and responded with three goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over Rensselaer on Friday and an assist in a 7-0 win at Union the next day. Princeton, now 7-6-1 overall and 5-4-1 ECAC Hockey, hosts Mercyhurst for a two-game set on December 10 and 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Legendary football coach Bill Parcells is well known for his declaration that “you are what your record says you are.” more

CHAMPIONSHIP RUN: Princeton High boys’ cross country runner Alex Roth heads to the finish line in a 2015 race. This fall, senior star Roth set the pace as PHS produced a season for the ages, winning the Mercer County Championship, the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional meet, the state Group 4 meet, and the Meet of Champions (MOC). It was the first-ever MOC team title for the Little Tigers and just the second ever for a Mercer County school (WW/P-N boys in 2008). Roth, for his part, placed first individually at the county meet, fourth at the Sectionals, second at the Group meet, and third at the MOC. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Coming into this fall, Alex Roth wasn’t satisfied with his career for the Princeton High boys’ cross country team. more

As the Princeton High boys’ swimming team entered the 400-yard freestyle relay against visiting Notre Dame last Thursday, it had no chance to win the meet.

“I looked at them and said I don’t care what the score is, they may have already won by now but the meet is not over and so we finish that relay and go out there and win,” said PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz.

The quartet of senior Alex Petruso, freshman Jeshurun Reyen, senior Will Kinney, and junior Oliver Hunsbedt followed their coach’s instructions to a tee, coming from behind in thrilling fashion to win the race with the crowd at the John Witherspoon pool roaring in appreciation. more

MAKING WAVES: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Melinda Tang shows her form in a freestyle race last season. Last Thursday, senior star Tang won the 200-yard and 500 freestyle races as PHS fell 97-72 to Notre Dame to move to 0-2. In upcoming action, the Little Tigers host Nottingham on December 8 and then swim at WW/P-N on December 13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Months before the season even started, the Princeton High girls’ swimming team suffered a major loss as superstar and state individual champion Abbey Berloco opted to transfer to Notre Dame for the last two years of her high school career. more

BOUNCING BACK: Hun School girls’ basketball player Leah Sutphen heads to the basket in a game last season. Sophomore forward Sutphen figures to be a key weapon in the front court for the Raiders this winter as they look to bounce back from going 1-22 last year. Last Friday, Sutphen scored six points in a losing cause as Hun fell 54-46 to Friends Central (Pa.) The Raiders, who moved to 1-1 with the defeat, host Agnes Irwin School (Pa.) on December 8 and the Baldwin School (Pa.) on December 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Having suffered through a rough winter last year with a depleted squad, an influx of new faces has lifted the mood around the Hun School girls’ basketball team. more

BREAKING THE ICE: Princeton University men’s hockey player Max Veronneau heads up the ice in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore forward Veronneau tallied two goals and two assists to help Princeton rally to a 6-5 win over Rensselaer in overtime as it earned its first ECAC Hockey victory of the season. Princeton, now 3-6-1 overall and 1-6-1 ECACH, faces Quinnipiac this week in a home-and-home set, hosting the Bobcats on December 9 before playing them at Hamden, Conn. a day later. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Max Veronneau was feeling snakebitten in the first nine games of the season for the Princeton University men’s hockey team. more

UP AND RUNNING: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Jalynn Spaulding dribbles up the court in a game last winter. Junior guard Spaulding helped Stuart get the 2016-17 season off to a good start, scoring 13 points as the Tartans defeated the George School (Pa.) 41-24 last Saturday in the finals of the George School Tournament. Stuart, which improved to 2-0 with the win, hosts the Solebury School (Pa.) on December 13.

After posting an impressive 19-9 record last winter, the Stuart Country Day School basketball team is raising the bar this season. more

November 30, 2016

Princeton women's volleyball vs. Harvard

KILLING IT: Princeton University women’s volleyball player Cara Mattaliano goes up for the ball in recent action. Senior star Mattaliano, who currently stands 11th all-time at Princeton in kills with 1,101, was recently named the Ivy League Player of the Year after helping Princeton go 19-4 overall and 13-1 Ivy on the way to winning the league title outright and punching its first ticket to the NCAA tournament since 2007. This Friday, the Tigers start NCAA action by playing at 13th-seeded BYU (27-3) in a first round contest in Provo, Utah. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s office of Athletic Communications)

Cara Mattaliano has firmly established herself as one of the top performers in the history of Princeton University women’s volleyball. more

sports2

HOME COOKING: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jose Morales races upcourt last Friday as Princeton hosted Rowan University in its home opener. Former Hun School star and freshman guard Morales contributed 10 points to help the Tigers roll to a 106-48 win over the Division III Profs. Princeton, which improved to 2-2 with the win, was slated to play at VCU on November 29 before heading to Honolulu, Hawaii to face Cal on December 6 and Hawaii in December 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

After playing for the Hun School boys’ basketball team as a post-graduate last winter, Jose Morales made his way across town to join the Princeton University men’s hoops program. more