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

FAST START: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Gibson Linnehan races to goal in recent action. Last Thursday, junior forward Linnehan scored a goal to help PDS defeat Randolph 3-1. The Panthers, now 2-0, host Morristown-Beard on December 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Moving up to the top line for the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team this winter, Gibson Linnehan is ready to shoulder more responsibility.

Teaming with Stefan Gorelenkov and junior Drew McConaughy, junior Linnehan is relishing his new duties.

“We are leading the team every single practice and every single game,” said Linnehan. “It is our job, we are having fun with it.”

The trio has been doing a good job of controlling play. “We keep the puck in the offensive zone the whole game, we get shots to the net,” said Linnehan. more

ON A ROLL: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Jaylin Champion-Adams looks to make a pass in a game last season. Junior forward Colon helped the Panthers get their 2019-20 season off to a promising start as they won the Solebury School (Pa.) Invitational last weekend, defeating George School (Pa.) 69-59 in the opening round on Friday and then defeating host Solebury 71-49 in the final on Saturday. PDS will look to keep on the winning track as it plays at the Academy of New Church (Pa.) on December 14 before hosting Pennington on December 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last winter, the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team displayed flashes of brilliance but ended up faltering in postseason play.

PDS was seeded first in the state Prep B tournament but fell to archival Pennington in the semis. Days later, the Panthers lost to WW/P-North in the opening round of the Mercer County Tournament.

“There were a lot of missed opportunities last year, that is from the top down,” said PDS head coach Doug Davis, who guided the Panthers to a 12-13 record last winter in his debut season at the helm of the program.

“We are thinking about things we could do better as a coaching staff and what our guys who were there last year can improve on this season. We are really trying to right the wrong and go a bit farther. We want to play together as a team a little bit more. There were some spots last year where we didn’t play together as much.” more

BRAKE OUT: Hun School boys’ hockey player Chris Brake, right, goes after the puck in action last week. Senior captain and forward Brake has helped Hun start the 2019-20 season at 1-0-1 as the Raiders defeated LaSalle College High (Pa.) 6-3 in their season opener last Wednesday and then skated to a 4-4 tie with St. John Vianney a day later. In upcoming action, Hun faces St. Joe’s Metuchen on December 11 at Woodbridge Community Center and then plays at the Lawrenceville School on December 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With a roster stocked with newcomers, the Hun School boys’ hockey team will have a markedly different look this winter.

Noting that two-thirds of his players are new to the school as well as the program, Hun head coach Ian McNally is embracing the changes to his squad.

“The mood is great, it is like a new group; it is an excited energy,” said McNally, who guided Hun to a 15-8-1 record last winter and its sixth straight Mercer County Tournament title.

“They don’t know the history or anybody or any of that stuff. It is a fun vibe right now.”

McNally is relying on one of his old hands, Chris Brake, who has quite a history with the program, to lead the group. more

IN THE ZONE: Hun School football player Ian Franzoni races up the field this fall. Senior running back and Brown commit Franzoni had a huge final campaign for the Raiders, gaining 1,178 yards rushing on 87 attempts for an average gain of 13.5 yards a carry. He ran for 12 touchdowns and also made 12 receptions for 322 yards and four TDs. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Ian Franzoni was primed to assume a leading role this fall for the Hun School football team.

After paying his dues the previous three seasons as the backup to star running back Josh Henderson, now playing for the University of North Carolina, Franzoni stepped into the starting tailback spot for the season opener at Cheshire Academy (Conn.) in early September.

In a sign of things to come, Franzoni piled up more than 300 yards total offense against Cheshire, including kick returns, rushing, and receiving as the Raiders rolled to a 44-7 win.

A week later, Franzoni showed that his opening salvo was no fluke, rushing for 275 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries in the victory as Hun routed Canada Prep 50-8. more

MAC ATTACK: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Drew McConaughy chases down the puck in a game last winter. Junior forward McConaughy figures to be a key offensive threat for the Panthers this season. PDS opens its 2019-20 campaign on December 4 by facing St. Joe’s Prep School (Pa.) at the University of Pennsylvania 1923 Rink. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the graduation of its big three of star forwards — Coby Auslander and Ty Eastman along with standout defenseman Chip Hamlett — there will be new faces in new places this winter for the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team.

“We are definitely going to have a young group, we have 12 new players,” said PDS head coach Scott Bertoli, who led the Panthers to a 14-12-1 record last winter.

“It is a group that is buying into what we are doing. The kids are excited, they are eager, and they want to learn.”

PDS opens its 2019-20 campaign on December 4 by facing St. Joe’s Prep School (Pa.) at the University of Pennsylvania 1923 Rink, resulting in a steep learning curve for the young Panthers. more

READY TO ROCK: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Rocco Salvato controls the puck in action last winter. Senior star Salvato is looking to have a big final campaign for PHS. The Tigers, who will be guided by new head coach Joe Bensky, are scheduled to face Lawrence High on December 4 at Mercer County Park in their first game of the 2019-20 season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Joe Bensky has spent a lot of time around Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) hockey.

He starred for the WW/P-North boys’ hockey team from 2009-12 and later served as an assistant coach for the WW/P coop squad in the 2017-18 season.

Now Bensky is taking on a big role with another CVC program as he is taking the helm of the Princeton High boys’ hockey program, succeeding Tim Chase as the head coach of the team.

When Bensky, who played club hockey at East Stroudsburg University and The College of New Jersey and works as school counselor at Ewing High, found out that he got the PHS job, he was elated.

“I was really, really excited, I knew they were a pretty talented group,” said Bensky, who is taking over a team that went 14-10-3 last winter, advancing to the Mercer County Tournament final and the quarterfinals of the state Public B tourney. more

KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION: Hun School basketball player Kennedy Jardine dribbles the ball in a game last season. Junior guard Jardine figures to be a go-scorer for the Raiders this winter. Hun was slated to open its 2019-20 campaign this week by hosting Germantown Friends (Pa.) on December 3 and then playing at the St. Luke’s School (Conn.) on December 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There is a good vibe around the Hun School girls’ basketball team as it gets ready to tip off its 2019-20 campaign.

“We have had a couple of scrimmages and the girls have played extremely well,” said Hun head coach Bill Holup, who led the Raiders to a 9-14 record last winter and is in his 21st season guiding the program. “They are very positive and upbeat.”

Holup is expecting a positive contribution from junior star guard Kennedy Jardine as she has refined her game.

“Kennedy is stronger and better; she is looking to attack the basket more,” said Holup, whose team tips off the season this week by hosting Germantown Friends (Pa.) on December 3 and then playing at the St. Luke’s School (Conn.) on December 7.

“She still has her three-point shot but she has really expanded her game. Her ball handling is good. In the past, she pretty much stayed on the perimeter. It is good to be more than one-dimensional.” more

X-MAN: Hun School boys’ basketball player Xander Alvarado gets the ball upcourt in a game last winter. Senior point guard Alvarado will be counted on to trigger the Hun offense this winter. The Raiders were slated to tip off their 2019-20 season by hosting the Haverford School (Pa.) on December 3 and then playing at St. Benedict’s Prep on December 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jon Stone is dealing with a problem regarding his Hun School boys’ basketball team this winter that would be the envy of many coaches.

“It is a little unique this year, I have 11 guys who can play, there are definitely some interchangeable positions,” said Hun head coach Stone, who is in his 20th season at the helm of the program and guided the Raiders to an 11-14 record last winter. “We are just incredibly deep. Figuring out the rotation is going to be my biggest challenge without a doubt.”

Hun’s rotation boasts four returning guards in senior Xander Alvarado, senior Liam Gunnarson, senior Dylan Knight, and sophomore Daniel Vessey. more