Sports

Undefeated! Princeton Women Finish Off Regular Season 30-0

Published

11 years ago

March 11, 2015

Princeton guard Blake Dietrick (11) takes a shot as she splits Pennsylvania defenders Sydney Stipanovich (13) and Kathleen Roche (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Philadelphia, Pa. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

DOUG FEINBERG, AP Basketball Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Princeton Tigers capped off a perfect regular season with a hard-fought victory over their rival.

When the final buzzer sounded, Courtney Banghart and her Tigers could finally celebrate their remarkable accomplishment — going 30-0.

After a subdued celebration Saturday when the Tigers beat Columbia to clinch the Ivy title, Princeton enjoyed Tuesday night’s 55-42 win over Penn. The Tigers jumped with each other at center court celebrating their achievement.

Princeton was then presented with the Ivy League championship trophy which they held aloft much to the delight of the many Tigers fans who made the 45-minute trip down from campus. One fan held up a sign saying “Go Tigers! 30-0 Perfect!”

The 13th-ranked Tigers became the 15th team to enter the NCAA Tournament unbeaten.

“People started mentioning to me at the end of non-conference season,” Banghart said of the chance to be undefeated. “We have such great respect for this league and the back-to-back games are such a challenge. Halfway through the league after we had seen everybody, we knew it was a possibility.”

Senior guard Blake Dietrick started entertaining the idea of perfection much earlier than her coach.

“I think we really started recognizing it after Michigan,” said Dietrick, who had 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the win. “It was a monumental win for us against a nonconference team. Very, very early in the season I asked Annie Tarakchian, if we go undefeated will you bleach your hair? We were 2-0 at that point. Annie will now have bleached hair for the tournament.”

Princeton is hoping that this historic season doesn’t end with another disappointing first round loss in the NCAAs. The Tigers want to become the second Ivy team to win a game, joining the 16th-seeded Harvard squad that upset No. 1 Stanford.

“That is No. 1 on our list right now, second is finishing my thesis,” Dietrick said of winning a tournament game. “It’s the thing I want to do most in the world, most in my life.”

They’ll have to wait until Monday night to see who they will face in the opening round.

Princeton had won its first 13 games in the league by an average of 27 points, but this was a lot tougher against their longtime rival. Penn had ended the Tigers’ four-year run as Ivy champs last season and now the Quakers were going to make it as difficult as possible for them to go undefeated.

Michelle Nwokedi had 13 points and 14 rebounds for Penn (20-8, 11-3).

Neither team could get much of a lead over the game’s first 25 minutes and the Tigers led 31-29 with 14:43 left before using an 11-2 run to finally take command.

Alex Wheatley, who led the Tigers with 17 points, started and ended the run with layups. Penn could only get within seven the rest of the way.

“I’ve always said to anyone who asked me I think they’re really good,” Penn coach Mike McLaughlin said. “I think they are right where they need to be. They are talented top to bottom. They are very deep, well coached, play the right way. I think they are very good.”

Both teams got off to slow starts as Penn held a 14-12 lead midway through the first half after Sydney Stipanovich’s three-point play.

Princeton then scored nine straight points, including the first six by Vanessa Smith to take a seven-point lead with 5:11 left in the half. The Tigers led 26-21 at the break. Neither team shot well in the first half with the pair combining for 20-for-59 from the field (34 percent).

___

TIP-INS:

Princeton: The Tigers became the second Ivy League team to enter the NCAA Tournament unbeaten. The 1970-71 Penn men’s team went 28-0 before losing in the NCAAs.

Penn: The Quakers had won nine straight games, the school’s longest winning streak since they won 21 straight in 2000-01. … Penn’s seniors are the winningest class in school history with 73 victories. This group won an Ivy Championship last year and the Big 5 title.

STILL PLAYING

Penn will make its first-ever appearance in the WNIT. The Quakers finished second in the Ivies and earned the automatic berth.

“We’re going to play more,” McLaughlin said. “It’s a tough one tonight, they wanted this one. We’re going to play more, regroup get back at it Thursday.”

UP NEXT

Princeton: NCAA Tournament.

Penn: WNIT.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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Activism

McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.