JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Ryan Robinson heads up the floor in a game this winter. Star forward Robinson produced a big junior campaign for PDS, leading the team in rebounds, blocked shots, and steals in addition to being the second top scorer. The Panthers finished the winter with an 8-17 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

As the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team entered the season, Kamau Bailey realized that scrappiness and heart needed to be the squad’s calling cards.

“We knew we were going to be matched up against some taller teams and we decided to try to outhustle some of these girls and the girls did a really good job of that,” said PDS head coach Bailey, noting that he had no players taller than 5’9.

“They played a lot of teams really hard and surprised some teams, really playing that hard. We came out on top a few times this year which was great.”

While Bailey would have like to see his team come out on top more times as it went 8-17 this season, he believed the Panthers developed a special unity that bodes well for the future.

“I am really happy with the outcome; I thought the girls were able to do a good job of building some chemistry,” said Bailey.

“That was one of the things that was important for us this year, just focusing on playing together a little more.”

Senior guard and captain Shayla Stevenson helped to hold things together over her career, starting from day one as a freshman.

“Shayla is irreplaceable for us,” said Bailey. “Since I took the job, she was someone I always had a lot of confidence in her ability to handle the ball, handle pressure, and to lead the team. She was a four-year captain.”

Overcoming injury, the team’s other senior, Alexis Davis, made an important contribution this winter.

“Alexis started out at the Hill tournament and did very well in the first couple of games and then she got a concussion,” said Bailey.

“She had to sit out some games and once she was a cleared by the doctors and the trainers, she stepped right in. The first game back she grabbed 12 rebounds. She is always the first to the ball and she will get on the ground despite having ACL surgery.”

Stepping up in her junior campaign, sharp-shooting guard Bridget Kane led the Panthers in scoring and three-pointers.

“I am really excited about the work that Bridget Kane did this year with her leadership,” said Bailey, noting that Kane’s father, Ron Kane, is the longtime head coach of the Lawrenceville School boys’ basketball team.

“I think she is going to come back and have a great senior year. She made first-team All-Prep B. She was great on the three-pointers. She was a vocal leader.”

Junior Ryan Robinson made some noise this winter, emerging as the squad’s most versatile performer.

“She had an amazing season; Bridget was our leading scorer and Ryan was our second leading scorer,” said Bailey.

“She was first in just about every other category. She led in rebounds, blocked shots, and steals. She developed a nice three-point shot too. She took the ball to the basket strong; she is also someone who is really aggressive in getting after it on defense.”

The Panthers also got aggressive play from junior forward Kate Bennett.

“Kate is someone who also stepped up in terms of leading the team, both on the court and in the locker room,” said Bailey.

“She is very competitive and one of the most coachable girls I have had since I have taken this position. She is a great kid.”

Another player who provided PDS with some competitive fire was sophomore guard Brooke Smukler.

“Brooke gave us a lot of great offense, she is aggressive going to the basket, she takes it hard,” said Bailey. “She is also a really solid three-point shooter.”

A solid group of freshmen gave the squad some depth. “We welcomed five freshmen this year,” said Bailey, whose corps of newcomers included Riley Felsher, Carly Kunkle, Megha Thomas, Maggie Amaral, and Audrey Liang.

“Riley is very athletic; she threw some amazing passes this season. She is also a really good rebounder. She picks up stuff very well.”

Bailey believes that PDS has what it takes to pick it up going forward. “I really am excited in terms of what I have coming back, some of the prospects that applied to the school, and some of the girls coming up through middle school,” said Bailey.

“We need to spend some time in the offseason with instruction, summer leagues, and camps. I think we really have a shot at shaking some things up. I would really like to shoot for winning a state championship.”