On February 21, the PHS girls varsity basketball team reached a new milestone as they won their firstever Colonial Valley Championship Tournament, led by Captain Anna Winters ’26, who was named the championship’s MVP.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Mary Pat Lelinski, team members improved their skills, discipline, and bonds with each other. Although Lelinski was new to the head coach position, she emphasized early on that her approach would be rooted in accountability and consistency.
Despite changes in coaching, the players were still able to find support to help strengthen their game. Sedona Arminio ’27, who plays as a center on the team, emphasized their role in the team’s development.
“[The coaching staff] are very supportive, which I love,” said Arminio. “They encourage you to make mistakes so that you can learn from them, and they’re very patient and give tons of advice.”
Nevertheless, the team initially struggled with adapting to a new coaching style and resolving internal challenges within the group.
“It’s hard having three different coaches in four years of playing, so it was hard to adjust at first,” said Winters. “[Coach Lelinski] was a [junior varsity] coach last year — so we knew her — but it took some time to get used to her and her coaching style, which [have] been different from all the other coaches.”
Through team dinners and bonding events, the team was able to create bonds between each player that helped with their chemistry both on and off the court.
“We got very close,” said Arminio. “We [would] do team bondings a lot, [for example] pasta dinners … that really helps us rely on each other and form trust.”
This bond didn’t go unnoticed as Lelinski praised the team for their cohesiveness despite the adversities that they were faced with.
“They never [broke off from one another], and they never pointed fingers,” said Lelinski.
After facing these obstacles, the team was able to win the championship with a single defeat. Indeed, this feat proved to be momentous for the players.
“[Winning the championship] has been a goal of ours since my freshman year,” said Winters. “[This season,] I was able to develop a good relationship with [Lelinski] and the team, which I think made it a really strong season.”
For Winters and the other seniors on the team, they felt that the victory was especially meaningful, as it was their last win before they left for college.
“I think it was awesome that it was … our senior year, and … our last year to do it,” said Winters. “We’re the only group that [has] put something on that [banner] for a while. [Princeton has] never won anything since 1918, since the basketball team started, so it’s a really big deal.”
Although the season has ended, its impact remains for those who experienced it, as they have not only the championship to show for their efforts, but they also have the memories and relationships they’ve made to show for it.
“I get a little choked up because these kids have just been wonderful, and what they’ve accomplished has been amazing,” said Lelinski. “Our season just recently ended, but the relationships that we built were really special.