BRING IT ON: Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse player Colton Simonds heads upfield in a game last spring. Senior Simonds brings grit and production to the midfield for the Panthers. PDS, which will be led by new head coach Sam Kosoff this spring, was slated to open its 2025 campaign by hosting the Blair Academy on April 1, Notre Dame on April 3, and Hopewell Valley on April 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sam Kosoff fell in love with lacrosse as a youngster.

“I grew up in upstate New York outside of Syracuse and I started playing at a very young age before it was popular to start playing at a young age,” said Kosoff. “I used to go to Syracuse games as a little guy. I just grew up around the sport.” more

OPENING SALVO: Hun School baseball player Nico Amecangelo follows through on a swing in a game last year. Senior second baseman Amecangelo has gotten off to a hot start this spring, going 5 for 7 with five runs and two RBIs as Hun opened the 2025 season by topping Georgetown Prep (Md.) 8-4 last Thursday and then defeating Lawrenceville 11-4 on Saturday. The Raiders will look to keep on the winning track as they host Gloucester Catholic on April 3, play at Peddie on April 5 and then host the Hill School (Pa.) on April 8. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Sparked by a group of blue chip seniors, the Hun School baseball team produced a historic campaign last spring, achieving a title triple of winning the Mercer County Tournament, the Prep A tourney, and the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) championship.

While losing such stars as Charlie Batista, Sam Wright, Michael Olender, Ryan Greenstein, and E.J. Balewitz to graduation could result in a rebuilding season, Hun head coach Tom Monfiletto believes that this year’s group has the chance to make some history of its own. more

IN THE SWING: Hun School softball player Emma Eisenberg takes a swing in 2023 action. Last Thursday, senior catcher Eisenberg went 1 for 64 and one run to help Hun edge Lawrenceville 7-6 in its season opener. The Raiders host the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Pa.) on April 3 and the Pingry School on April 4 before playing at South Hunterdon in April 5 and at Villa Joseph Marie High (Pa.) on April 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Hun School softball team headed into the spring, it was facing a major challenge as it looked to fill the void left by the graduation of stars and program stalwarts Lexi Kobryn and Jamie Staub.

Kobryn, who is now playing at Villanova, produced a record-breaking career for the Raiders as a pitcher and a hitter with 638 strikeouts and a 0.41 ERA and a batting average of .537 with 123 hits ands 119 RBIs while Staub, now competing for Brandeis, also starred in the circle and at the bat as she had 134 strikeouts and a 0.40 ERA and batted .427 with 88 hits and 61 RBIs. more

ALL IN: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Allison Lee heads to goal in a game last season. Senior midfielder Lee, who tallied 88 goals and 10 assists last spring, is poised for a big final campaign. Stuart opens its 2025 season by hosting WW/P-North on April 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Paige Meszaros took the helm of the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse team last spring, she worked a number of freshmen into the rotation over the course of the season.

While Stuart took its lumps early on with many of the freshmen being new to the game, the Tartans showed growth, going 3-2 in their final five games. more

GIFT OF GAB: Hun School girls’ basketball player Gabby D’Agostino dribbles upcourt in action this winter. Junior guard D’Agostino averaged 21.9 points a game this season as Hun went 23-6 and advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title game. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Coming into the winter, junior point guard Gabby D’Agostino was looking to be more of playmaker for the Hun School girls’ basketball team.

“We have so many new people this year, we move the ball so well,” said D’Agostino. “When I am driving if they are double-teaming, I can kick it out and I have full trust that they are going to make the shot.”

Hun head coach Sean Costello credited D’Agostino with diversifying her game.

“Gabby is just very good,” said Costello. “What you are seeing this year is her ability to pass the ball. She can fill it up quickly but now when teams decide to try to take her away, she is finding her teammates and they are able to knock shots down.” more

HAMMERING IT OUT: Princeton High baseball player Chase Hamerschlag takes a big swing in a game last year. Junior star Hamerschlag should make an impact on the mind and with his bat this spring. PHS opens its 2025 season by playing at WW/P-North on March 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High baseball team started its preseason training for the upcoming season, it hit the ground running.

“I think our first week was probably one of the better ones that we have had in the last five years, especially from like a commitment, an efficiency, and an energy standpoint,” said PHS head coach Dom Capuano, whose team opens its 2025 season by playing at WW/P-North on March 26. “There wasn’t much redirection, everybody knew what was going on. The upperclassmen led by example and we really moved through those first six practices very well.” more

STICK FIGHT: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Brendan Beatty runs through a longstick in a game last season. Senior midfielder and University of Vermont commit Beatty is primed for a big final campaign. PHS opens its 2025 season by hosting Summit on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Before preseason practices even started this spring for the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team, Chip Casto sensed that his players were all in.

“We always set a goal on January 1st that by the beginning of the season on March 10 we have get 500,000 wall ball touches,” said PHS head coach Casto, who guided the Tigers to a 11-8 record and a spot in the Mercer County Tournament final last spring. “It is all self-reported and we have never even gotten past half. This year we were a little over 400,000. It feels like in the offseason they have all put the time in.” more

RUF AND READY: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Shelby Ruf, center, races through two defenders in action last season. Senior midfielder and Merrimack College commit Ruf figures to be a go-to finisher for PDS this season. The Panthers start their 2025 campaign by hosting Hightstown on April 3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After saying goodbye to a stellar class of seniors from last year’s squad, the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team is welcoming a group of precocious freshmen to help fill that void.

“Losing that senior class, it feels like a part of the leadership is gone,” said PDS head coach Lucia Marcozzi, who guided the Panthers to a 15-6 record last spring, sparked by senior stars Tessa Caputo, Kelly Christie, Jesse Hollander, and Katie Zarish-Yasunas. “We have a lot of freshmen who are super talented. It has been great to have them start seeing how we do it at the varsity level and getting them mixed in a little bit. I think it is just finding those missing pieces on offense with some of the new freshmen coming in and getting their confidence up.” more

FULL SPEED AHEAD: Princeton Day School baseball player Keegan Fullman makes contact in a game last spring. Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Fullman is looking to build on a solid debut campaign. PDS opens its 2025 season by playing at Trenton Central on March 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After losing 16 of its first 18 games last spring, the Princeton Day School baseball team went 4-1 down the stretch, earning the program’s first-ever win in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public tournament in the process.

As PDS heads into the 2025 campaign, the squad is primed to build on the progress it made last spring. more

HARD KNOX: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player Eibhleann Knox brings the puck up the ice in recent action. Last week, senior star forward Knox tallied two goals and three assists as top-seeded PDS defeated second-seeded Immaculate Heart Academy 7-0 in the final of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Girls’ Ice Hockey Tournament at the Prudential Center in Newark. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Eibhleann Knox’s senior season for the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team got off to a rough start this winter when she was sidelined by a broken collarbone.

As star forward Knox watched PDS pile up wins in December and January, she was frustrated by her inability to contribute. more

ON THE RISE: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Shelby Ruf flies in for a layup in a game this winter. Senior forward and co-captain Ruf helped PDS enjoy a reversal of fortune this winter under first-year head coach Pat Reddington as it went 13-10 after going 3-16 in 2023-24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Displaying the progress it made over the course of the winter, the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team ended the regular season with a pair of impressive wins as it topped Stuart Country Day and Delran.

“Those were really good games because we had really, really strong fourth quarters in both of those games,” said PDS first year head coach Pat Reddington, whose team defeated Stuart 51-38 on February 18 and Delran 61-42 four days later. “We had two 26-point fourth quarters; we had games where we finished with 26 points. It was good, our press helped us. Our defense led to offense for us. It was very positive.” more

By Bill Alden

While the Hun School boys’ hockey team struggled to pile up wins this winter, Eric Szeker had no qualms with the effort he got from his players.

“It was a tough season record-wise — we were in a lot of games where it was competitive coming down to the end,” said Hun head coach Szeker, who team went 5-17-2 this winter. “A couple got away from us, just trying to get aggressive and trying to come back. No matter what our situation was, whether illness hit us or injuries, everybody that showed up competed every single day. We learned a lot for sure.”

Hun’s season-ending 4-1 loss to crosstown rival Princeton Day School on February 12 proved to be a microcosm of the winter. more

MAKING A SPLASH: Wilberforce School swimmer Vasily Yanovsky displays his breaststroke form in a meet this winter. Junior star Yanovsky qualified for the 100-yard breast in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Meet of Champions, becoming the first swimmer in program history to compete at the MOC. (Photo provided by the Wilberforce School)

By Bill Alden

Vasily Yanovsky was shooting for a specific target this winter as he came into his junior season for the Wilberforce School swimming team.

“For me, the main goal was trying to break a minute in the 100 breaststroke,” said Yanovsky, who swims for the Peddie Aquatic Association club program when he is not in season for Wilberforce.
“It is a goal that transcends club and high school swimming for me. It is just like a mental barrier mostly, that I have been trying to do.” more

SHINING STAR: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Colin Mulshine, right, clamps down on a Rutgers player last Saturday night. Senior defender Mulshine helped Princeton stifle the Scarlet Knights as the Tigers prevailed 11-5 to earn the Harland (Tots) Meistrell Cup. The Tigers, now 4-1 and ranked No. 2 by Inside Lacrosse, play at No. 6 Cornell (4-1) on March 15 in the Ivy League opener for both squads. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Colin Mulshine likes the way the defensive unit for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team has come together over the first month of the season.

“This is the closest group I have been a part of throughout my years,” said Princeton senior star defender Mulshine. “We are just looking to keep that going and grow even stronger. We are a lot more connected. We are starting to play as a unit, we talk about that all of the time.” more

RUSHING FORWARD: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Jake Harrison controls the puck in a game last season. Junior forward Harrison starred as the Panthers went 10-9-1 this winter and advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public state quarterfinals. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public state tournament, the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team was primed to finally make a run to the final four.

Sixth-seeded PDS got off to a good start, cruising to a 5-2 win over 11th-seeded St. Joseph (Metuchen) in a first round contest. more

DRIVING FORCE: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Anna Winters drives to the hoop last Thursday as fourth-seeded PHS defeated 13th-seeded Trenton Central 61-54 in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 tournament. Junior guard Winters scored a game-high 25 points in the win. The Tigers went on to lose 65-34 to fifth-seeded Franklin last Monday in the quarterfinal round of the tourney to end the winter with a 19-10 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Anna Winters went scoreless in the first quarter as the Princeton High girls’ basketball team fell behind 10-7 to Trenton Central last Thursday in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 tournament.

In the second quarter, junior guard Winters and fourth-seeded PHS got into a groove, outscoring the 13th-seeded Tornadoes 22-3 to seize control of the contest. more

ON THE STICK: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Brendan Beatty, left, goes after the puck in recent action. Last week, senior star and captain Beatty scored two goals as 16th-seeded PHS fell 9-3 to top-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Public sectional tournament. The loss left the Tigers with a final record of 7-12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Knotted in a 2-2 stalemate with the West Windsor-Plainsboro hockey co-op after two periods in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament quarterfinal round, the Princeton High boys’ hockey team raised its game.

Outscoring West Windsor 4-0 in the third period, PHS prevailed 6-2 in the February 5 contest to book a spot in the CVC semis. more

RARE AIR: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player Aerin Bruno surveys the action in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior defender and team captain Bruno helped spark a superb defensive effort as top-seeded PDS defeated eight-seeded Summit 5-0 in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Girls’ Ice Hockey State Tournament. The Panthers, now 12-2-1, will face fourth-seeded Morristown-Beard in the state semis on March 5 at the Codey Arena in West Orange with the victor to advance to the state final on March 10 at the Prudential Center in Newark. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Aerin Bruno’s right shoulder was heavily taped but she smiled through the pain after helping the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team defeat Summit 5-0 last Friday in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Girls’ Ice Hockey State Tournament.

With PDS having been seeded No. 1 in the tourney and getting a first-round bye, Bruno and her teammates were chomping at the bit to finally get going in the competition. more

STATE OF PLAY: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Lia States, center, heads to the basket in recent action. Last Friday, freshman guard States scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help 11th-seeded Stuart upset sixth-seeded Calvary Christian 50-33 in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B tournament. On Monday, Stuart fell 78-43 to third-seeded Wildwood Catholic in the quarterfinal round of the tournament. The Tartans ended the winter with a 6-15 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Stuart Country Day School basketball team geared up to make its debut in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public tournament, Tony Bowman was encouraged by the way his squad was coming together down the stretch.

Playing at Kent Place in its regular season finale on February 25, Stuart rolled to a 54-30 win.

“I think that is the best they have played all year,” said Stuart head coach Bowman. “They listened very well, that was probably our best defensive game.” more

WHY NOT: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Wyatt Ewanchyna controls the puck in a game last season. Last Thursday, senior star forward and team captain Ewanchyna scored two goals to help PDS defeat Gloucester Catholic 4-2. The Panthers, now 9-8-1, are starting play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public State tournament this week where they are seeded sixth and slated to host 11th-seeded St. Joe’s (Metuchen) in a first round contest on February 25. The victor will play at third-seeded Don Bosco in a quarterfinal contest on February 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the captain of the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team Wyatt Ewanchyna looks to set a good example for his teammates on a daily basis.

“I have tried to be a leader on the team, but I have never had a letter on my jersey before,” said senior forward Ewanchyna. “It gives me a sense that I have to prove something every day. I have to lead the freshmen.” more

ON THE BALL: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Gary Jennings, left, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore guard Jennings scored 25 points to help PDS edge Delran 58-57 in overtime. The Panthers, now 11-10, will be starting action in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B tournament where they are seeded 11th and will be playing at sixth-seeded Wildwood Catholic in a first round contest on February 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team hosted North Brunswick last Wednesday, Gary Jennings knew he had to step up.

“Our team is battling sickness and injuries,” said PDS sophomore guard Jennings. “We were really down today so we had to come out play hard, play aggressive, and try to play to our best abilities.”

The Panthers played hard in the second quarter against North Brunswick, outscoring the Raiders 18-13 to build a 34-28 halftime lead. more

GOOD DAY: Princeton University women’s basketball player Amelia Osgood defends a foe in action last season. Last Saturday, guard Osgood came up big on her Senior Night, scoring a game-high and career-high 13 points to help Princeton defeat Yale 71-42. The Tigers, now 18-5 overall, 9-1 Ivy League, host Columbia (18-5 overall, 9-1 Ivy) in a first-place showdown on February 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Amelia Osgood couldn’t stop smiling last Saturday as she reflected on her Senior Night for the Princeton University women’s basketball team.

After Osgood and her four classmates, Parker Hill, Paige Morton, Katie Thiers, and Adaora Nwokeji, were honored in a pregame ceremony, the quintet started the game against Yale and promptly reeled off a 12-0 run. The Tigers never looked back as they cruised to a 71-42 win over the Bulldogs before a crowd of 1,254 on hand at Jadwin Gym, improving to 18-5 overall, 9-1 Ivy League. more

SHARK ATTACK: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Katie Sharkey passes the ball last Wednesday as PHS hosted Notre Dame in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament semifinals. Junior Sharkey scored a team-high 16 points in the game but it wasn’t enough as second-seeded PHS fell 49-45 to third-seeded and eventual champion Notre Dame. The Tigers, now 16-7, play at South Brunswick on February 19, host Steinert on February 21, and play at Bordentown on February 24 before starting action in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Katie Sharkey has shouldered more responsibility this winter in her junior season for the Princeton High girls’ basketball team.

“I have gotten used to getting my hands on the ball, I am more confident with that which has been fun,” said Sharkey. “Also being a captain I have had more of a leadership role, that obviously helps with confidence too.” more