By Bill Alden

When the Hun School boys’ basketball team hosted Peddie in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) quarterfinals last Thursday, Seth Clarke spent some of the first half lying on the ground, using a foam roller to deal with some lower back pain.

But when Hun junior forward Clarke was on the court in the first half, he sparked the fourth-seeded Raiders, scoring 15 points as they jumped out to a 40-28 lead over the fifth-seeded Panthers, overcoming an early 11-3 deficit.

“It was rough going down, we fought through adversity, kept our heads up and did what we had to do,” said Clarke. “My boys trusted me and I trust in God. It worked out.” more

CREASE CONTROL: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey goalie Kelly Stevens guards the post in action this winter. Last Thursday, junior goalie Stevens made nine saves to help PDS defeat Oak Knoll 7-0 in the Librera Cup final. The Panthers, now 10-2-1, play Kent Place on February 19 at the RWJBarnabas Hockey House in Newark before starting play next week in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team started the winter short-handed with just nine skaters and one goalie, Jamie Davis was confident that his squad could do some big things.

Noting that two key players, forwards Eibhleann Knox and Brynn Dandy, were slated to return from injury in the new year, PDS head coach Davis believed that things would come together by the time the Panthers got into postseason action. more

FINAL LAP: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Sabine Ristad displays her freestyle form in a race last year. Last Thursday, senior star Ristad placed first in the 500-yard freestyle and third in the 200 free to help fourth-seeded PHS defeat fifth-seeded Red Bank Regional 103-67 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2, Group B sectional quarterfinals. The Tigers ended up falling 101-69 to to-seeded Chatham in the sectional semis last Monday to end the season with an 8-2 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Public B state title in 2023 and making the final last year, the Princeton High girls’ swim team was fired up to start another postseason run when it hosted Red Bank Regional last Thursday in the North 2, Group B sectional quarterfinals.

“It is always exciting around tournament time, especially after the high that we had after winning counties,” said PHS first-year head coach Pat Remboski. “The girls were motivated and super excited to swim. We had the first round bye so we were eager to get into the water.” more

GUO TIME: Princeton High boys’ swimmer Daniel Guo shows his form in a freestyle race last season. Last Friday, senior Guo placed first in both the 50-yard and 100 freestyle races to help third-seeded PHS defeat seventh-seeded North Hunterdon 101-68 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2, Group B quarterfinals. On Monday, the Tigers lost 96-74 to second-seeded Summit in the sectional semis to end the winter with a 9-1 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Daniel Guo and his fellow seniors on the Princeton High boys’ swim team, there was a sense of finality last Friday as the Tigers hosted North Hunterdon in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2, Group B quarterfinals.

Based on the sectional bracket, third-seeded PHS would be on the road for the rest of the tournament if they defeated seventh-seeded North Hunterdon.

“We were talking right behind the block before our 200 free relay, the last relay that we had together. at home and it was wow, this is our last home meet,” said Guo, who was joined in the event by classmates David Brophy and the Xu twins, David and Jaiden. more

SAGE ADVICE: Hun School boys’ basketball player Sage Mateo dribbles upcourt in a game last season. Last Monday, junior guard Mateo scored 14 points to help Hun defeat the Phelps School (Pa.) 105-86. The Raiders, now 9-15, are starting action in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tournament where they are seeded fourth and will host fifth-seeded Peddie in a quarterfinal contest on Thursday. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Hun School boys’ basketball team, last week proved to be a microcosm of an uneven campaign.

On Wednesday, Hun posted a solid win 67-46 win over archival Lawrenceville School before losing 102-64 to West Nottingham on Saturday and then topping the Phelps School (Pa.) 105-86 on Monday. more

SENIOR MOMENT: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Travis Petrone looks to pass the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, Petrone tallied four points and had four assists on his Senior Day as PHS fell 69-46 to Sayreville. The Tigers, who moved to 2-16 with the loss, are starting play in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament this week where they were seeded 12th and slated to play at fifth-seeded Ewing in a first round contest in February 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Travis Petrone was honored last Saturday afternoon during the Senior Day ceremony for the Princeton High boys’ basketball team, his thoughts turned to elementary school.

“Senior Day was awesome, it is one of the last times I will ever get to go on the basketball court with my childhood friends Jonny Feldman and Griffin Ettenberg,” said senior guard Petrone. “I have been friends with them and playing basketball with them since the first grade. It is awesome to start a varsity game with them.”

Petrone and his teammates knew they faced an awesome challenge taking on Sayreville who brought a 15-2 record into the contest. more

SPEARHEADING SUCCESS: Princeton High girls’ hockey player Cassie Speir controls the puck in recent action. Last Monday, senior star Speir tallied two goals and an assist as PHS defeated Newark East Side 4-0 in the quarterfinal round of the Annis Cup. The Tigers, who improved to 4-6 with the win, will play at Madison in the Annis Cup semis on February 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Standing just off the ice at Hobey Baker Rink, Cassie Speir was overcome with emotion last week as she reflected on playing her final regular season game in the building for the Princeton High girls’ hockey team.

“My sister is a sophomore and she became the team manager because we are really close, I am going to miss her a lot next year,” said Speir with her voice cracking and tears coming to her eyes. “It is an amazing rink and I am so lucky to play here.” more

SENIOR MOMENT: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Travis Petrone looks to pass the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, Petrone tallied four points and had four assists on his Senior Day as PHS fell 69-46 to Sayreville. The Tigers, who moved to 2-16 with the loss, are starting play in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament this week where they were seeded 12th and slated to play at fifth-seeded Ewing in a first round contest in February 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Travis Petrone was honored last Saturday afternoon during the Senior Day ceremony for the Princeton High boys’ basketball team, his thoughts turned to elementary school.

“Senior Day was awesome, it is one of the last times I will ever get to go on the basketball court with my childhood friends Jonny Feldman and Griffin Ettenberg,” said senior guard Petrone. “I have been friends with them and playing basketball with them since the first grade. It is awesome to start a varsity game with them.” more

SPEARHEADING SUCCESS: Princeton High girls’ hockey player Cassie Speir controls the puck in recent action. Last Monday, senior star Speir tallied two goals and an assist as PHS defeated Newark East Side 4-0 in the quarterfinal round of the Annis Cup. The Tigers, who improved to 4-6 with the win, will play at Madison in the Annis Cup semis on February 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Standing just off the ice at Hobey Baker Rink, Cassie Speir was overcome with emotion last week as she reflected on playing her final regular season game in the building for the Princeton High girls’ hockey team.

“My sister is a sophomore and she became the team manager because we are really close, I am going to miss her a lot next year,” said Speir with her voice cracking and tears coming to her eyes. “It is an amazing rink and I am so lucky to play here.” more

PRESSURE DEFENSE: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Abdoulaye Seydi, left, puts the pressure on an opponent in recent action. Last Thursday, senior forward Seydi posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds as PDS defeated Steinert 58-46. PDS, who improved to 8-7 with the win, is starting action in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament where they are seeded eighth and slated to host ninth-seeded Robbinsville in a first round contest on February. In addition, the Panthers will be competing in the Prep B state tourney, heading to Doane Academy on February 9 for a semifinal contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Helping the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball outscore Steinert 18-0 in the second quarter last Thursday evening gave Abdoulaye Seydi a sense of how good the Panthers can be.

“I think it has just been a culmination of what we have been working toward this season, just focusing on defense and really trying to move without the ball,” said PDS senior forward Seydi. “Especially as we move towards playoffs and state tournaments, we really just want to elevate that level. I think that is what we did in the second quarter.” more

ADDING UP: Hun School girls’ basketball player Addi McNally dribbles upcourt in a game last season. Last Wednesday, junior guard McNally tallied 16 points to help Hun defeat Stuart County Day 68-46. The Raiders, who topped Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) 65-52 last Saturday to improve to 20-5, were slated to host the Perkiomen School (Pa.) on February 4 before starting action in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tournament next week. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Addi McNally came out firing as the Hun School girls’ basketball team hosted Stuart County Day School last Wednesday.

Sharp-shooting Hun junior guard McNally drained three 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the contest, helping the Raiders jump out to an 18-0 lead. more

STROKES OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton High boys’ swimmer David Brophy heads to victory in a freestyle race earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior star Brophy placed first in both the 200-meter freestyle and 100 butterfly at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships. Brophy’s superb performance helped PHS finish first in the team standings at the meet. It marked the fourth straight team crown for the Tigers at the county competition, formerly known as the Mercer County Swimming Championships. Brophy, for his part, was named the Most Valuable Swimmer for the boys at the meet. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With Princeton High boys’ swimming team locked in a tense battle against rival WW/P-South for the team title at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) meet last Saturday, the contest came down to the final event of the competition, the 400-meter freestyle.

Swimming the anchor leg for PHS, senior star David Brophy came through, out-sprinting Nick Straka of Lawrence to the wall at the WW/P-North pool as PHS took first to clinch the title. more

CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Princeton High girls’ swimming star Annie Flanagan displays her freestyle form in a race last season. Last Saturday, junior star Flanagan placed first in both the 50-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships. Flanagan’s heroics helped PHS place first in the team standings at the meet. It marked the fourth straight title for the Tigers in the county competition, formerly known as the Mercer County Swimming Championships. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Annie Flanagan got into the starting block for the 50-meter freestyle race at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships last Saturday, she couldn’t stand still.

“I try to hype myself up,” said Princeton High junior star Flanagan. “I jump around, I will slap my chest, my legs, and kind of shake it out.” more

LETTING IT FLY: Princeton High senior star Sean Wilton lets the shot put fly last Sunday at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Championships meet (formerly known as the Mercer County Championships). Last Sunday, Wilton set a personal record of 61’00.50 in winning the shot put. Wilton’s win helped PHS tie for second in the team standings at the meet. (Photo by Rohan Viswanathan)

By Bill Alden

While the athletes in the Princeton High track and field program train hard physically, they have been increasingly emphasizing the mental aspect of their sport.

“We have been talking a whole lot as a team and actually having sessions with a more sports psychology focus and growth mindset,” said PHS head coach Ben Samara. “It is talking about the mindset of being an athlete and all of the things that come with that. I think our athletes have really embraced that. It is how you approach a challenge, how you approach failure, and how you approach setbacks. The mental approach is really starting to pay off for us as a program as a whole.” more

LIFE OF REILLY: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Reilly Gilligan gets ready to spring into action last Wednesday as PDS hosted Lawrenceville. Senior defenseman Gilligan scored the lone goal for the Panthers as they fell 4-1 to the Big Red. The Panthers, who dropped to 5-6-1 with the defeat, host Seton Hall Prep on January 30. (Photo by David Bremer)

By Bill Alden

With Princeton Day School hosting the annual boys’ hockey border war against Lawrenceville last Wednesday evening, McGraw Rink was packed and the tunes from disc jockey Darius Young were pumping as the foes took the ice.

Having suffered a frustrating 6-4 defeat to Delbarton a day earlier, PDS senior defenseman Reilly Gilligan and his teammates were fired up for their clash with the Big Red. more