NO QUIT: Princeton High baseball player Nano Sarceno takes a cut in game earlier this season. Last Thursday, senior standout Sarceno went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI in a losing cause as PHS fell 16-5 to Hightstown. The Tigers, who lost 12-8 to Somerville last Monday to move to 6-7, play at Hamilton West on May 1, at Ewing on May 2, and at Montgomery on May 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Nano Sarceno was looking to be a catalyst for the Princeton High baseball team as it hosted Hightstown last Thursday.

Batting third for PHS, senior Sarceno belted a double to left field in the bottom of the first inning and advanced to third base on an error. more

THIRD HAND: Princeton Day School boys’ tennis player Jaylen Peng hits a forehand as he competed in the Colonial Valley Conference Tournament last week. Senior Peng placed third at third singles to help PDS finish seventh in the team standings at the event. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While Jaylen Peng has done some big things over the years for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team, he achieved a breakthrough last week at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament.

Senior Peng advanced to the semifinals at third singles and ended up taking third in the flight for his best-ever finish in the county competition as he defeated Tanush Mendhirata of Hightstown 6-3, 6-4 at the Mercer County Tennis Complex. (The Mercer County Tournament Association announced last spring that it was discontinuing county tournaments in favor of a CVC Tournament, which bars local private schools who are not members of the conference.) more

RUF RIDER: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Shelby Ruf heads to goal last Friday against Peddie. Senior attacker and Merrimack College commit Ruf tallied two goals and one assist in the game as PDS prevailed 13-9. The Panthers, who defeated WW/P-South 11-4 last Monday in improving to 4-5, host Notre Dame on April 30 before playing at St. Elizabeth in a Prep B state quarterfinal contest on May 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Shelby Ruf wasn’t the go-to scorer for the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse last spring as a trio of senior stars led the way for the Panthers.

But with those three standouts, Tessa Caputo, Kelly Christie, and Jesse Hollander, having graduated, senior Ruf knew she had to take a leading role for the Panthers this spring. more

DODGE BALL: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Brendan Beatty looks to dodge a defender in a game earlier this season. Last week, senior midfielder and University of Vermont commit Beatty tallied four goals and two assists in a losing cause as PHS fell 13-8 to Notre Dame. The Tigers, who defeated Montgomery 13-5 last Saturday in improving to 5-4, host Hightstown on April 24, play at WW/P-North on April 26, and then host Hopewell Valley in April 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Brendan Beatty fired in a pair of goals as the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes of its clash at Notre Dame last week.

PHS senior midfielder Beatty and his teammates were hoping that history would repeat itself as the Tigers built an early 3-0 lead in its 2024 meeting with the Irish on the way to a 21-11 win.  more

COMING IN CONTACT: Princeton High softball player Natalie Hester makes contact in a game last season. Junior star shortstop and Rutgers commit Hester is batting .312 with six RBIs to provide a spark for PHS. The Tigers, who lost 14-2 to Monroe last Monday to move to 1-5, host Robbinsville on April 24 and Holy Cross Prep on April 26 before playing at Hightstown on April 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton High softball team trailed Monroe 14-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning last Monday and faced getting run-ruled, Natalie Hester wasn’t about to give up.

PHS junior shortstop Hester legged out an infield grounder to get on base and proceeded to steal second and third. more

MURPHY’S LAW: Hun School softball pitcher Anna Murphy fires a pitch in recent action. Last Thursday, senior Murphy produced a stellar effort in the circle as Hun defeated the Blair Academy 6-1, striking out eight and giving up five hits with no walks. Hun went on to sweep Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) in a doubleheader last Saturday, prevailing 7-2 and 10-6. The Raiders, who improved to 8-0 with the wins, host Lawrence High on April 26 and the Peddie School on April 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Anna Murphy patiently waited for her chance to be the ace of the pitching staff for the Hun School softball team and she is determined to make the most of that opportunity.

“I have definitely been looking forward to it since freshman year with Lexi here and everything, it is big shoes to fill,” said senior right-hander Murphy, referring to former Hun record-breaking standout Lexi Kobryn, who is now pitching for the Villanova University softball team. more

STOWE AWAY: Hun School girls’ lacrosse player Emma Stowe looks to unload the ball in recent action. Last Wednesday, junior midfielder Stowe scored two goals in a losing cause as Hun fell 18-4 to the Hill School (Pa.). The Raiders, who lost 13-12 to the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Saturday to move to 0-9, play at the Shipley School (Pa.) on April 24 before hosting the Blair Academy on April 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In taking the helm of the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team this spring, Samantha Schwartz’s coaching approach has centered on one main theme.

“The thing that I have been driving home with our girls is that everything is effort-based,” said Schwartz, who joined the Hun program midway through last spring as an assistant coach and previously had stints coaching club in New York, Michigan, Texas and Pennsylvania, and high school coaching in Michigan and Texas. more

ON THE BALL: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Meg Morrisroe, right, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Morrisroe scored a goal to help Princeton defeat Columbia 17-6 and earn its 11th straight win. The No. 5 Tigers, now 11-1 overall and 4-0 Ivy League, play at No. 18 Penn (6-5 overall, 2-2 Ivy) on April 16 and then host No. 17 Brown (10-3 overall, 4-1 Ivy) on April 19 as the program holds its annual Senior Day celebration. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming into its game against visiting Columbia last Saturday, the No. 5 Princeton University women’s lacrosse team was clicking on all cylinders.

The sizzling Tigers brought a 10-game winning streak into the contest, having started the week by topping No. 19 Stony Brook 19-13 last Wednesday. more

FIRST TAKE: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Garrett Mathewson hits a groundstroke in a match last season. Junior Mathewson has starred at first singles as PHS has gotten off to a 1-1 start this spring. In upcoming action, the Tigers host Hightstown on April 17 before competing in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament on April 21 and 23 at the Mercer County Tennis Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton High boys’ tennis team suffered a 4-1 loss to powerhouse WW/P-South its second match this season, Sarah Hibbert saw reason for optimism.

PHS junior star Garrett Mathewson posted a straight-set win at first singles in the April 8 match while junior Andrew Kuo forced a match tiebreaker at second singles and the second doubles pair of senior Matt Chen and sophomore Emil Kapur lost in two hard-fought sets. more

By Bill Alden

Youth is being served this spring for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team.

PDS is featuring a freshman and a sophomore in its singles lineup with a pair of freshmen having seen action at doubles.

While the squad may lack experience, Panther head coach Michael Augsberger believes it has plenty of quality. more

BRINGING THE HEAT: Hun School pitcher Asher DeLue fires a pitch in a 2024 game. Last Thursday, junior DeLue produced a superb effort in a 4-1 victory over Lawrenceville, going five innings with eight strikeouts to get the win on the mound. The Raiders, who fell 8-2 to Christian Brothers Academy last Monday in moving to 6-2, play at Pennington on April 17 and have a doubleheader at the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on April 19. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

After pitching just 12 innings for the Hun School baseball team last year, Asher DeLue focused on pumping iron over the offseason in an effort to make a greater impact on the mound this spring.

“It was definitely putting in a lot of work in the weight room,” said junior DeLue. “Team lifts with the guys were great, we do that all winter. Playing club was great but the biggest thing was getting into the weight room and getting stronger.” more

ABBY ROAD: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Abby Chirik, center, sprints upfield last Wednesday as Stuart hosted Robbinsville. Junior midfielder Chirik scored a goal in a losing cause as the Tartans fell 16-3 to the Ravens. Stuart, now 0-3, hosts Princeton Day School on April 17 and Pope John on April 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There is no down time for Abby Chirik when it comes to her athletic pursuits.

Chirik is a three-sport star at Stuart Country Day School, competing for its field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse teams. In her spare time, she plays club soccer year-round. more

TAKING THE WHEEL: Princeton High baseball player Eric Wheeler lays down a bunt in recent action. Last Thursday, senior Wheeler starred with his arm and bat to help PHS defeat Princeton Day School 3-1. Wheeler worked six innings on the mound to get the win and went 1 for 2 with a run and two walks at the plate to help PHS improve to 2-2. The Tigers host WW/P-South on April 10 before playing at Allentown on April 11 and Ewing on April 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Eric Wheeler wasn’t at full strength last spring for the Princeton High baseball team, hampered by a back issue that kept him from making a major impact for the Tigers.

But this spring, Wheeler is back to 100 percent and has emerged as a star for the Tigers in the early going. On the mound, Wheeler pitched PHS to a 10-1 win over North Dame on March 29 and 3-1 win over Princeton Day School last Thursday. At bat, Wheeler is hitting .308 with four hits and three runs as the Tigers have started 2-2. more

OPENING STATEMENT: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Leah Bornstein sprints upfield in a 2024 game. Last Wednesday, junior midfielder Bornstein tallied two goals and three assists to help PHS edge Hopewell Valley 11-9 in its season opener. The Tigers, who fell 12-9 at Montgomery last Saturday, host WW/P-South on April 9 before playing at Princeton Day School on April 11, at the Hun School on April 12, and at Shore on April 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Leah Bornstein starred at guard this winter for the Princeton High girls’ basketball team, scoring 184 points with 110 rebounds, 73 assists, and 81 steals to help the Tigers go 19-10.

But while Bornstein was busy on the hardcourt, she made time to keep her lacrosse skills sharp. more

SWINGING AWAY: Princeton Day School baseball player Santino Cignarella follows through on a swing in a 2024 game. Senior infielder Cignarella went 1 for 3 with a walk last Thursday as PDS lost 3-1 to Princeton High. The Panthers, who moved to 0-5 with the defeat, host Hamilton West on April 10 before playing at Manville on April 12 and at Steinert on April 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having lost its first four games this spring, it looked like the Princeton Day School baseball team was poised for a breakthrough as it hosted Princeton High last Thursday.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning with two players on base, PDS freshman third baseman Vince Filis ripped a line drive down the left field line that sent the runners racing home. more

BECK AND CALL: Hun School boys’ lacrosse player Jake Beck heads upfield in a game last season. Junior midfielder Beck figures to be an offensive catalyst for the Raiders this spring. Hun, which lost 16-6 to Chatham last Saturday to move to 0-4 under new head coach Joe Donnelly, hosts the Hill School (Pa.) on April 9, plays at Shawnee High on April 12, and then hosts the Westtown School (Pa.) on April 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the third head coach in the last three years for the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team, Joe Donnelly is determined to establish some stability for the program.

“For us, it is about building a culture that is going to last,” said Donnelly. “It has been a lot of initial buy-in for a lot of these kids early on. For us, it is making a point that my goal is to be here for a very, very long time and trying to build something that lasts. It is not necessarily about the wins and the losses, it is about how much we can improve as a team and as a unit and help these kids for after high school.” more