December 9, 2015

Starting 2015-16 by Making Hill Tournament Final, PDS Girls’ Hoops Builds on Last Winter’s Progress

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STEPPING UP: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Shayla Stevenson heads to the hoop in a game last season. PDS will be looking to junior guard Stevenson to be a key contributor again this winter. Tipping off the 2015-16 campaign by competing in the Hill School (Pa.) Invitational last weekend, PDS topped host Hill 32-15 in the first round on Friday before falling 62-38 to Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) in the championship game. In upcoming action, PDS hosts Pennington on December 9 before playing at Stuart Country Day on December 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Going with a youth movement by necessity last winter, the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team got better and better as the season unfolded.

PDS improved down the stretch with a roster of six freshmen, two sophomores, and no seniors, ending up with a 5-13 record.

Tipping off the 2015-16 campaign by competing in the Hill School (Pa.) Invitational last weekend, PDS topped host Hill 32-15 in the first round on Friday before falling 62-38 to Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) in the championship game.

Third-year head coach Kamau Bailey sensed that his squad was primed for a good start.

“I am extremely pleased the way this team is starting to come together,” said Bailey, whose returning players include a trio of seniors, center Isabel Meyercord, forward Helen Healey, and guard Jacqueline Hart along with junior guard Shayla Stevenson and a core of five sophomores, guard Bridget Kane, guard Ryan Robinson, guard Maddie Coyne, forward Kate Bennett, and forward Summer Patterson.

“We have had some really good practices, some competitive scrimmages and as a result, I think the chemistry between the girls is better than it has ever been.”

The addition of freshman guard Brooke Smukler and junior forward Alexis Davis’ recovery from injury has further buoyed the Panthers.

“Brooke is really aggressive offensively, can shoot the ball well, and is a very confident player who will make an immediate impact for us,” said Bailey, who has added two other freshmen, Helen Mehreteab and Laurel Peters, to his roster.

“Alexis is returning from an ACL injury last year. She is an amazing athlete and great rebounder.”

In Bailey’s view, PDS can do some great things in the 2015-16 campaign. “I think we are going to make some noise and surprise a few teams this season,” asserted Bailey, whose team hosts Pennington on December 9 before playing at Stuart Country Day on December 14. “The girls are ready to play.”