NIC OF TIME: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Nic Petruolo controls the puck in a game this winter. Sophomore defenseman Petruolo’s strong play this winter helped PDS show marked improvement as it posted a final record of 15-6-3 after winning just three games in the 2014-15 season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
It turned into a Hollywood ending for the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team when it hosted Chatham in its season finale last month. more
FRESH LOOK: Hun School girls’ basketball player Nia Sapia drives to the hoop in action this season. Freshman guard Sapia emerged as a key performer for Hun, starring at point guard and providing a bright spot for the Raiders, who went 1-22 this winter. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Having won just one game all winter coming into its state Prep A semifinal contest against perennial power Blair Academy, the Hun School girls’ basketball team could have gone through the motions. more
FUN RUN: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player -Madison McCaw enjoys the moment during a game this season. Freshman forward McCaw helped the Panthers enjoy a superb season as they won seven of their last eight games, placing third in the WILHMA (Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic) playoffs and finishing with a final record of 15-8-1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Opening its season with a trip to Wyoming Seminary in northeastern Pennsylvania in early December, the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team hit a roadblock as the bus broke down and the team never made it to the game. more
TAKING HIS SHOT: Princeton University men’s basketball player Steven Cook goes to the hoop in recent action. Last Friday, junior forward Cook scored 23 points to help Princeton defeat Columbia 88-83. A night later, Cook chipped in 11 points as the Tigers topped Cornell 74-60 in improving to 20-5 overall and 10-1 Ivy League, keeping pace with league frontrunner Yale (20-6 overall, 11-1 Ivy). Princeton plays at Harvard on March 4 and at Dartmouth on March 5 before hosting Penn on March 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
As the Princeton University men’s basketball team hit the court to warm up for a critical clash against visiting Columbia last Friday evening, the players sported orange Nike T-shirts emblazoned with the message “Make Shots.” more
SHOWING PRIDE: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Gavin McBride races up the field in action last season. This past Saturday, senior attacker McBride tallied three goals and an assist in a losing cause as Princeton fell 11-10 at Hofstra in overtime. McBride scored with 3:41 in regulation as the Tigers rallied for a 10-8 deficit to the Pride to make it 10-10 and force overtime. Princeton, now 1-1, plays at No. 13 Johns Hopkins (1-2) on March 5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
After rolling to a 21-4 win against an overmatched NJIT team in its season opener, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team faced a much sterner test in its second outing when it played at 13th-ranked Hofstra last Saturday. more
PLAYING WITH HART: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Matt Hart puts up a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior forward Hart scored 20 points in his final home game to help PHS edge Hamilton 65-64 and improve to 8-16. The Little Tigers will start play in the state tournament where they are seeded 16th in the Central Group 4 sectional and will play at top-seeded Hunterdon Central in an opening round contest on March 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Matt Hart is determined to end his stellar Princeton High boys’ basketball career with a bang. more
JOHN BE GOOD: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player John McArthur makes a pass last Wednesday in the state Prep B final. Junior forward McArthur scored 18 points to help top-seeded PDS edge third-seeded Morristown-Beard 66-62 in overtime to earn the title. It was the first state crown for the program since PDS won the Prep A title in 1999. The Panthers fell short of a second title shot as fifth-seeded PDS lost 82-77 to fourth-seeded Hightstown in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals last Saturday. The loss left PDS with a final record of 16-8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
John McArthur came to Princeton Day School this year, hoping for a shot to shine on the basketball court. more
THIRD GEAR: Hun School boys’ hockey player Reed Doerler races up the ice last week in the Mercer County Tournament. Senior defenseman Doerler chipped in an assist to help top-seeded Hun win the MCT title for a third straight year as it defeated second-seeded Notre Dame 6-2 in the final last Friday at the Mercer County Park rink. Hun wrapped up its season last Sunday by falling 5-2 to Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) in the championship game of the Mid-Atlantic Invitational Tournament at the Hill School (Pa.). The Raiders finished the winter with a final record of 17-8-2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Reed Doerler didn’t want to leave the ice last Friday evening after the Hun School boys’ hockey team defeated Notre Dame 6-2 to win its third straight Mercer County Tournament title. more
DONE DEAL: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Brendon McCormick heads up the ice last week in the Mercer County Tournament. Junior star and team captain McCormick tallied a goal and three assists in a losing cause as sixth-seeded PHS fell 8-4 to second-seeded Notre Dame in the MCT semis on February 16. On Saturday, McCormick tallied another goal but it was not nearly enough as 21st-seeded PHS lost 8-1 to ninth-seeded Mendham in the opening round of the state Public B tourney. The defeat left the Little Tigers with a final record of 12-8-4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Brendon McCormick was breathing heavily and his face flushed with effort as he trudged towards the locker room after the Princeton High boys’ hockey team fell 8-4 to Notre Dame last Wednesday evening in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals. more
HARD DRIVING: Hun School boys’ basketball player Jose Morales drives to the basket in a game earlier this season. Last week, post-graduate and Princeton-bound guard Morales scored 13 points but it wasn’t enough as fourth-seeded Hun fell 64-58 to fifth-seeded Lawrenceville in the opening round of the state Prep A tournament. The loss in the February 16 contest left the Raiders with a final record of 10-13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
In mid-January, the Hun School boys’ basketball team overcame an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to pull out a thrilling 68-66 win in double overtime against Lawrenceville School. more
BRINGING IT: Stuart Country Day School sophomore guard Jalynn Spaulding brings the ball up the court in recent action. Last Thursday, Spaulding scored 13 points to help fourth-seeded Stuart defeat 13th-seeded Trenton High 49-45 in the opening round of the Mercer County Tournament. Two days later, the Tartans fell 75-27 to fifth-seeded Allentown in the MCT quarterfinals. Stuart, now 19-8, hosts Nottingham on February 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Jalynn Spaulding’s offensive prowess has been a key factor underlying the success enjoyed by the Stuart Country Day School basketball team this winter. more
STICKING WITH IT: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Nathan Drezner controls the puck in recent action. Last Wednesday, senior forward and assistant captain Drezner chipped in an assist as sixth-seeded PHS edged third-seeded Hopewell Valley 3-2 in overtime in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals.The Little Tigers, who improved to 12-6-4 with the win, were slated to face second-seeded Notre Dame in the MCT semis on February 16 with the winner advancing to the final on February 19 against the victor of the semifinal between top-seeded Hun and fourth-seeded Robbinsville. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Nathan Drezner brought a special sense of urgency to the ice as the Princeton High boys’ hockey team faced Hopewell Valley last Wednesday in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals. more
STRETCH DRIVE: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Julia Ryan drives to the basket in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior guard Ryan scored 10 points to help PHS defeat WW/P-S 38-29. The Little Tigers, now 6-13, will start play in the Mercer County Tournament this week where 16th-seeded PHS is slated to play 17th-seeded Hightstown in a play-in game with the victor heading to top-seeded Ewing on February 18 in a first-round contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
In mid-December, the Princeton High girls’ basketball team opened the season with a 48-31 loss at WW/P-S. more
BRAKE OUT: Hun School boys’ hockey player Patrick Brake heads up the ice in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, senior forward and assistant captain Brake contributed a goal and two assists as top-seeded Hun defeated eighth-seeded Paul VI in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals. The two-time defending county champion Raiders, now 13-7-2, are slated to face fourth-seeded Robbinsville in the semis on February 16 with the winner advancing to the title game on February 19 against victor of the semi between second-seeded Notre Dame and sixth-seeded Princeton High. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
While many of the top players for the Hun School boys’ hockey team were rested as the Raiders played overmatched Paul VI in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals last Wednesday, Patrick Brake wasn’t about to take the night off. more
IN THE ZONE: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Paul Franzoni goes after the ball in recent action. Last Sunday, junior guard Franzoni provided hustle and six points to help top-seeded PDS defeat fourth-seeded Wardlaw-Hartridge 63-44 in the state Prep B semifinals. The Panthers, now 14-7, will host third-seeded Morristown-Beard in the championship game on February 17. In addition, PDS will be playing in the Mercer County Tournament, where it is seeded fifth and will host No. 12 Hamilton in a first round contest on February 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Three years ago, gritty forward B. J. Dudeck took care of the dirty work on the court as the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team advanced to the state Prep B finals. more
ON TRACK: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Ryan Robinson brings the ball up the court in a game last week. Sophomore guard Robinson scored 12 points to help sixth-seeded PDS top No. 3 Stuart Country Day 53-45 in the state Prep B quarterfinals last week. The Panthers saw their run in the Prep B tourney come to an end when they fell 74-49 to second-seeded Pennington in the semis last Sunday. PDS, now 12-12, will start play in the Mercer County Tournament this week where the 12th-seeded Panthers will play at fifth-seeded Allentown in an opening round contest on February 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
It started on Super Bowl Sunday and wasn’t concluded until last Thursday but the wait proved worthwhile for the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team. more
WINNING TRACK: Members of the Princeton High boys’ track squad celebrate after winning the team title at the North 2 Group 3 indoor sectional meet at the Bennett Center in Toms River. It was the program’s first-ever indoor sectional crown and the first sectional title for PHS boys’ winter or spring track since 1989.
This past fall, the Princeton High boys’ cross country team ended a long dry spell, advancing to the Meet of Champions for the first time since 1986. more
CARRIED AWAY: Princeton High wrestler James Verbeyst, right, battles a foe in recent action. Earlier this month, junior Verbeyst won the title at 145 pounds at the Mercer County Tournament. It was the first county crown for Verbeyst, who had placed second at 113 in the MCT as a freshman and second at 126 last season. Verbeyst posted a 22-2 record in his first 24 matches this winter. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Having advanced to the finals of the Mercer County Tournament in his first two seasons with the Princeton High wrestling team, James Verbeyst was primed to take the next step as he headed into this year’s county competition. more
TITLE FIGHT: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey senior star forward and captain Connor Fletcher, left, controls the puck against Morristown-Beard last Thursday in the state Prep championship game. Fletcher and the Panthers battled hard but lost 3-0 to the Crimson to fall just short of the crown. PDS, who dropped a 4-1 decision to St. Augustine on Monday to move to 12-7-2, hosts Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) on February 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Connor Fletcher earned a battlefield promotion last winter when he was made the captain of the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team during his junior campaign when the coaches realized that he was holding the squad together as it struggled to a 3-17-4 record. more
ON POINT: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Chase Lewis puts up a shot in action last season. Junior guard Lewis has helped the Panthers catch fire in recent play as they have won eight of their last nine games and boast an overall record of 13-6. PDS hosts Springside-Chestnut Hill (Pa.) on February 12 and then competes in the state Prep B tournament where the first-seeded Panthers host No. 4 Wardlaw-Hartridge in the semis on February 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Chase Lewis was a solo act for the Princeton Day School boys’ hoops team at times last winter.
Despite being just a sophomore, Lewis was the team’s top scorer and main ball handler. more
MAINSTAY: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Brianna Romaine heads to victory in the 100-meter backstroke in the finals of the Mercer County Swimming Championships last Saturday at WW/P-N. Senior star Romaine also won the 100 freestyle and helped PHS to victories and meet records in the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. The Little Tigers cruised to the team title as they won their fourth straight county crown. Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Brianna Romaine helped set the tone for the Princeton High girls’ squad as it competed in the finals of the Mercer County Swimming Championships last Saturday at WW/P-N. more
CHRISTIAN VALUE: Princeton High boys’ swimmer Christian Chiang powers to a second place finish in the 100-meter butterfly final last Saturday in the Mercer County Swimming Championships at WW/P-N. Chiang also took second in the 100 breaststroke to help PHS place third in the team standings. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Christian Chiang didn’t stand still in the blocks as he got ready to compete in the 100-meter butterfly final in the Mercer County Swimming Championships at WW/P-N last Saturday, jumping up and down and pumping his arms with a grin on his face. more
CREASE CONTROL: Princeton High girls’ hockey senior goalie Callie Urisko guards the crease in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, Urisko came up big on the program’s annual Senior Night, making 35 saves as PHS defeated Pingry 6-4. Senior forward Isabelle Sohn tallied three goals and an assist to trigger the offense for the Little Tigers in the victory. PHS, now 2-8, hosts Portledge School (N.Y.) on February 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
When Callie Urisko joined the Princeton High girls’ hockey team in the winter of 2012-13 as a rookie goalie, she had a lot to learn about the position. more
DRAWING A CROWD: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Sam Serxner dribbles the ball in the paint against a group of foes in recent action. Last Friday, junior guard Serxner scored nine points in a losing cause as PHS fell 59-54 to WW/P-N to drop to 4-11. The Little Tigers play at Notre Dame on February 5 and host Hillsborough on February 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Sam Serxner knew that the Princeton High boys’ basketball team needed him to be more productive offensively as it hosted WW/P-N last Friday. more
BACK IN FORM: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player Kristi Serafin flies up the ice in a game last year. Last Thursday, junior defenseman Serafin scored the lone goal for PDS as it fell 2-1 to Morristown-Beard. On Monday, she contributed a goal and two assists as the Panthers defeated Pingry 7-0. PDS, now 9-7-1, hosts Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) on February 3 and Immaculate Heart on February 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
For Kristi Serafin, getting back on the ice this January for the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team after being sidelined since the beginning of the season due to a hand injury couldn’t come soon enough. more
