GETTING IT DONE: Princeton University men’s hockey goalie Jeremie Forget tracks the puck last Saturday against Quinnipiac. Sophomore Forget made 33 saves in a losing cause as Princeton fell 3-1 to the Bobcats. The Tigers, who lost 4-3 to Quinnipiac on Sunday as they fell to 2-10-3 overall and 0-6-2 ECAC Hockey, host Dartmouth on January 3 and Harvard on January 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though Jeremie Forget had only seen 31 minutes of action at goalie in the first 11 games this season for the Princeton University men’s hockey team, he maintained an upbeat attitude.

“I have always tried to stay positive in practice,” said sophomore Forget. “I knew eventually I would get my chance and once I got it, I wanted to make sure I would seize it to make sure I would give myself more playing time.”

Forget started game 12 as Princeton hosted Colorado College on December 7 and seized opportunity, making 25 saves as the Tigers fell 2-1 in overtime. Three days later, Forget had 26 stops as Princeton edged AIC 2-1 to snap a 10-game winless streak. more

DOUBLE DUTY: Princeton High hockey player Victoria Zammit controls the puck in a game last season. Senior forward Zammit has been doing double duty this winter, playing for both the PHS boys’ and girls’ hockey teams. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was already a busy day for Victoria Zammit by the time she arrived at Baker Rink to play for the Princeton High girls’ hockey team when it hosted Summit in mid-December.

“I was in the boys’ game against Hopewell, this was a doubleheader,” said PHS senior forward Zammit, who is culminating her high school career by playing for both programs this winter.

“I was pretty tired; I downed a Red Bull in the car on the way here. The boys was a good warmup.” more

GRADE A: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Stephen Avis brings the puck up the ice in a game earlier this season. Senior defensemen Avis has provided strong work on the blue line as PHS has started 5-0-1. The Tigers begin the 2020 portion of their schedule by facing Steinert on January 3 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having won its first five games this season, the Princeton High boys’ hockey team faced its first defeat as it trailed Notre Dame 3-2 in the waning seconds in its final game of 2019.

But with sophomore forward John O’Donnell finding the back of the net with eight seconds remaining in the third period of the December 20 contest, PHS pulled out a 3-3 tie to remain undefeated.

First-year Tiger head coach Joe Bensky sensed that his players were going to do whatever necessary to remain undefeated.

“They kept fighting and you could see in their eyes that their weren’t going to give up until the final buzzer went off,” said Bensky. more

TOPPING IT OFF: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Caroline Topping looks to pass the ball in a game last season. Junior guard Topping scored four points in a losing cause as PDS fell 26-15 to Willingboro on December 19 in their last game before the holiday break. The Panthers, now 1-6, start the 2020 portion of their schedule by hosting Steinert on January 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Looking to end 2019 on a high note, the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team jumped out to a 9-3 second quarter lead over Willingboro in its last action before the holiday break.

“We definitely came in ready to play,” said PDS head coach Liz Loughlin.

“Once we felt a little settled I think we took our foot off the gas and allowed the other team to come back onto the game.”

Willingboro came back all the way, outscoring PDS 15-2 over the rest of the first half and the third quarter as it went on to earn a 26-15 win over the Panthers in the December 19 contest. more

JACKED UP:  Princeton High boys’ basketball player Jack Suozzi dribbles the ball in a game last season. Last Friday, senior guard Suozzi scored 15 points in a losing cause at PHS fell 67-54 to Hightstown in the season opener for both teams. The Tigers return to action when they compete in a Holiday Tournament at Rumson-Fair Haven on December 27 and 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jack Suozzi had been struggling with his shot as the Princeton High boys’ basketball team went through the preseason.

But on opening night last Friday against visiting Hightstown, senior guard Suozzi found the range when it counted, hitting a three-pointer in the first quarter and tallying nine points in the half as PHS took a 28-27 lead at intermission.

“I haven’t been making my shots recently, but once I got warmed up I was feeling it a little more,” said Suozzi. “I try to help my team out in any way possible.”

The Tigers came out firing against the Rams, inspired by a raucous atmosphere in the gym. more

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team hosted Pennington last week, it brought some extra motivation into the contest.

“We were just real focused, they knocked us out of Preps last year 66-63 so today we wanted to come in and make a statement,” said PDS senior guard Jaylin Champion-Adams, referring to the Panthers’ loss to the Red Raiders in the Prep B semis last season.

PDS made an early statement in the December 17 rematch, jumping out to a 10-0 lead.

“That definitely set the tone; we just came in and we had a lot of energy,” said Champion-Adams. “The bench kept us alive and everybody was working.”

Champion-Adams and his teammates kept working hard, pulling away to a 69-34 victory. more

OPEN MIKE: Princeton Day School boys’ ice hockey player Michael Sullo controls the puck in recent action. Last Wednesday, sophomore forward Sullo had a goal and two assists to help PDS edge Hun 4-3 in overtime. Last weekend, PDS participated in the Barber Tournament at the St. Mark’s School (Mass.) where it went 0-3. In upcoming action, PDS, now 3-4, hosts its annual Harry Rulon-Miller Invitational from January 4-5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Michael Sullo was one of the smallest players on the ice for the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team as it hosted the Hun School last Wednesday.

But the wiry sophomore transfer ended up making a huge impact on the game, scoring the first goal and then assisting on the final two goals as PDS edged Hun 4-3 in overtime.

For Sullo, the first taste of the rivalry against local foe Hun was sweet. “All of the boys were fired up to get out here; it is always a good game from what I have heard,” said Sullo. “It was my first time around; it was the most fun I have had in a game in a while.”

Sullo tallied the first goal of the contest, finding the back of the net early in the second period.

I saw Luke [Antonacci] circling up top,” recalled Sullo. “He just put one on net, it popped out and I put it in.”

PDS had leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but found itself trailing 3-2 early in the third period. more

COACH’S CHALLENGE: Princeton High basketball head coach coach Dave Kosa instructs his players during a game last winter. With a nearly complete roster turnover from a squad that went 18-8 last season, Kosa will be presiding over a youth movement by necessity this winter. PHS tips off the 2019-20 season by playing at Hightstown on December 20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Dave Kosa looks ahead to the upcoming season for his Princeton High girls’ basketball team, he acknowledges that he is essentially starting from scratch.

Losing six players to graduation from a squad that went 18-8 last winter and with two other seniors opting not to play this winter,  Kosa will be presiding over a youth movement by necessity.

“We are very young, we lost everybody from last year; it is all sophomores and juniors with one freshman,” said Kosa. “We have hardly anything back, no points, no rebounds, or anything.”

Kosa is relying on a pair of juniors Ashley Tumpowski and Brynne Hennessy to lead the way. more

MAKING STRIDES: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Gefen Bar-Cohen heads to the basket in a game last winter. Senior forward and Kenyon College-bound Bar-Cohen is primed for a big final campaign for the Tigers. PHS tips off its 2019-20 season by hosting Hightstown on December 20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After showing marked progress last winter, going 12-14 in the wake of a 4-21 campaign in 2017-18, the Princeton High boys’ basketball team is determined to keep trending upwards.

“We have a great bunch of guys,” said PHS head coach Pat Noone, whose team starts its 2019-20 by hosting Hightstown on December 20.  “They have been playing all summer, they did a great job. They are pretty hungry.”

Noone is expecting junior point guard Timmy Evidente to do a very good job this winter. more

GOOD RUN: Princeton High boys’ swimmer Jeshurun Reyen displays his breaststroke form in the 200 medley relay last Thursday as PHS defeated Steinert 111-58. Reyen helped PHS win the 200 medley relay and he took first in the 500 freestyle at the Tigers improved to 3-1. PHS was slated to swim at WW/P-South on December 17 and at Robbinsville on December 19 in its last action before the holidays.  (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though Jeshurun Reyen wasn’t in the water early on this season for Princeton High boys’ swimming team, he still inspired the squad.

“He was not initially cleared because he was having some shoulder issues,” said PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz.

“At the beginning of the season, he was on deck helping us coach, helping kids with technique, working on dives and turns, all of those little things”

Last Thursday, Reyen showed his technique and leadership, helping PHS defeated Steinert 111-58 to improve to 3-1. PHS defeated Steinert 111-58. Reyen helped PHS win the 200 medley relay and took first in the 500 freestyle.

“I have just watched him grow so much as a leader. He was quiet with that freshman mentality,” said Misiewicz. more

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High girls’ swimming team hosted Steinert last Thursday, it displayed its depth and versatility, mixing and matching its lineup on the way to a 107-59 win.

“I had a lot of girls in a lot of different events that they don’t normally swim,” said PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz.

“For example, Margaret Hill was in the breaststroke and she doesn’t normally swim that. I was trying some of the freshmen like Reece Gallagher and Macaela Wilton in different places. I wanted to see if they can excel anywhere else. I feel like we are deeper than we have been in the last couple years which is good.”

Senior Cameron Davis excelled against Steinert, winning the 50 freestyle and taking second in the 100 butterfly while setting an upbeat tone on the deck at the John Witherspoon Middle School pool.  more

By Bill Alden

In the mid-1980s, Joe Scott starred in the backcourt for the Princeton University men’s basketball team, known for his sharpshooting from the perimeter and hard-nosed play.

New Jersey native Scott drained 59 three-pointers as a senior in 1986-87, a program record at the time, and ended up with 144 steals to rank seventh at Princeton.

From 1988-92, Leah Spraragen distinguished herself as one of the best playmakers in the history of Princeton women’s basketball, dishing out 362 assists, the second most in program history.

Scott and Spraragen ended up marrying each other and last Wednesday, their son Jack, displayed qualities of his parents as the Hun School boys’ basketball team hosted Pennington. more

HAIL TO THE VICTORS: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player Hailey Wexler controls the puck in a game during the 2018-19 season. Last Saturday as PDS wrapped up its 30th annual Harry Rulon-Miller Girls’ Hockey Invitational at McGraw Rink, junior forward Wexler scored two goals, including the game winner, as PDS defeated Chatham 5-4 in overtime in the championship game. PDS, now 3-2, plays Morristown-Beard on December 18 at the Twin Oaks Arena. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Hailey Wexler was primed to pick up her offensive production this winter heading into junior campaign for the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team.

“I definitely try to be more of a scorer because our top scorer from last year is gone,” said Wexler, referring to the graduated Julie Patterson, who is now playing at Wilkes University.

“We have got a new sophomore in Ally [Antonacci] who was at the school already and we have a few great freshmen.”

Last Saturday as PDS hosted Chatham in the championship game of the program’s 30th annual Harry Rulon-Miller Girls’ Invitational, Wexler came up with some key scores.  more

A-PLUS: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Aleah James dribbles upcourt in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, junior guard James scored a game-high 22 points to help Stuart defeat Hun 73-35. The Tartans, now 3-2, are next in action when they compete in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Ariz. from December 18-21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Aleah James put her nose to the grindstone in an effort to become more of an all-around offensive threat this winter for the Stuart Country Day School basketball team.

“I have been working on my shot more; I am really trying to consistently hit threes this season and work on my outside game,” said junior guard James. “I am also looking to get easy points off of steals.”

James displayed her offensive skill set last Wednesday, tallying a game-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers, as Stuart pulled away to a 73-35 win over Hun.

Coming off an 84-38 loss to Blair two days earlier, James and her teammates were fired up to jump on the Raiders.

“Our mindset was just to bring the energy no matter what because we have the talent, we have the players,” said James, reflecting on a contest which saw the Tartans jump out to a 25-10 lead heading into the second quarter. “We have everything so as long as we brought the energy we were fine.”

Applying a full-court press, the energy Stuart displayed at the defensive end helped set the tone.

“Defense is our strong suit this season, especially pressuring the ball to get our points easily,” added James. more

DRIVING FORCE: Hun School girls’ basketball player Kennedy Jardine drives to the basket in recent action. Last Saturday, junior star Jardine scored 15 points in a losing cause as Hun fell 50-47 in overtime to the Baldwin School (Pa.) to move to 5-2. The Raiders are next in action when they host the Blair Academy on January 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Bill Holup liked what he saw as his Hun School girls’ basketball team won its first four games.

“We beat some solid teams and we won close games,” said Hun head coach Holup. “The girls were finding ways to win.”

Last Wednesday, Hun ran into a very solid team as it played at Stuart Country Day School and tasted defeat for the first time this winter, falling 73-35 to the Tartans.

“Today was more of a reality check,” said Holup. “I think we did a little too much dribbling, we just weren’t prepared for the pressure they were going to put on us.” more

GOAL ORIENTED: Princeton High boys’ hockey player John Zammit goes after the puck in game last season. This past Wednesday, sophomore forward Zammit scored three goals to help PHS defeat Lawrence 12-2 in its season opener. Last Monday, Zammit scored two goals as the Tigers defeated WW/P 9-3 to improve to 2-0. In upcoming action, PHS faces Paul VI at the Skate Zone in Pennsauken on December 13 and then plays Hopewell Valley on December 17 at Mercer County Park.  (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

John Zammit has taken his game to a higher level this winter as he starts his sophomore season for the Princeton High boys’ hockey team.

“It is just a bunch of confidence; freshman year, I was a little hesitant at times with the size and weight difference of the older players,” said Zammit.

“I am bigger and more physical, size helps. Puck possession wise, I think my stickhandling has been getting more accurate and I am more consistent.”

Last Wednesday, Zammit displayed some deft stickhandling, scoring three goals as PHS overcame an early 1-0 deficit and defeated Lawrence High 12-2 in its season opener at Mercer County Park. more