TAKING HER LEAVE: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Hannah Levy looks to pass the ball in action this winter. Senior star Levy provided versatility and leadership this season as PDS posted an 8-14 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

For the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team, its late-season victory at Hamilton provided a glimpse of the squad’s potential.

“To beat a very athletic team like that in their own gym was a good win, especially late in the season,” said PDS head coach Mika Ryan, reflecting on the 34-25 triumph over the Hornets. “The underclassmen had a good game, that was very encouraging.”

Unfortunately, the Panthers didn’t produce enough performances like that this winter as they posted a final record of 8-14.

“It was a difficult season,” acknowledged Ryan, whose team was knocked out in the first round of the Mercer County Tournament and fell in the state Prep B quarterfinals.

“One reason we struggled is that we didn’t compete in practice like we needed to. That is where you get better, competing against each other everyday.”

Ryan is hoping that an emphasis on competitive fire will pay dividends down the road.

“My approach is that you compete as hard as you can, no matter who you are playing,” said Ryan.

“We don’t talk about wins and losses, we talk about competing. The underclassmen think like I do, they get it, they understand my approach. I am looking forward to next season.”

The graduation of the team’s trio of seniors, Hannah Levy, Daniela Levitan, and Lauren Johnson, will leave a void next season.

“Hannah was a jack of all trades, she willingly played any position we asked,” said Ryan.

“She always gave her best. Daniela was in the program for four years and she contributed to PDS athletics and the team. LJ was on the varsity for three years, she was a really tough on-ball defender. She was scrappy, she was a hustler. She has an energy we will miss.”

Going forward, the Panthers should draw plenty of energy from sophomore Erin Murray, freshmen Morgan Van Liew and Olivia Okorodudu, together with juniors Emily Goldman and Tess Zahn.

“I am excited about the returning players,” said Ryan. “It is hard to ask inexperienced players to be responsible for intangibles. They learned a lot and improved a lot. We have Erin Murray at point guard, Morgan Van Liew and Olivia Okorodudu inside, and Emily Goldman is a good swing player. Emily comes late from field hockey and it takes her a while to get her legs under her. She is a versatile player. I want to see her spend more time on basketball this summer.”

Ryan is looking to make sure her players spend a lot of time honing their competitiveness on and the court over the offseason.

“I strongly encourage all my players to play a spring sport; it is good for their cross training and it is good for them to be around other coaches,” said Ryan.

“In the summer, we are going to be doing conditioning and agility drills. We will be playing in the summer league in Moody Park, which is two nights a week. We are also going to the Princeton University team camp in the first week of August. You are guaranteed five games, they offer clinics. It is a real good experience. It is a chance to play and work on team building skills. We didn’t go last year, I am so excited that we are going back.”