Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Women's Basketball Tri-Captains Preseason Q&A
September 27, 2007 | Women's Basketball
The trio of Princeton women's basketball captains for the 2007-08 season, senior Meagan Cowher, senior Ali Prichard and junior Caitlin O'Neill, answer 10 questions heading into their preparation for the upcoming campaign.
How have your roles on the team changed now that you are captains?
Meagan Cowher: There is certainly a higher level of accountability that comes along with the new title. There also is a lot more communication with the coaches as to how the team is doing.
Caitlin O'Neill: I don't think they have changed much on the court but there are a lot of little things we have to do off the court. Everybody is coming into her role in the pre-season and I think in a few months we'll have them more figured out.
Ali Prichard: I don't think much has changed at all. The previous captains did a good job of being good leaders. We looked up to them a lot. For the seniors, everyone knows it's our last chance to win an Ivy League title.
What feelings have you gotten about the team in the informal pick-up games so far?
MC: I think we look really good. We worked hard this summer to prepare ourselves for whatever the coaching staff throws at us, and the energy is high. The freshmen are really impressive and I think they've upped our level of play a lot.
CO: We're playing a lot more loose than we have in the past. We're energetic and excited. It's a new year with new coaches and we're ready to work hard and do what our coaches ask of us.
AP: Everyone's excited. There is a lot of positive energy and it's across the board with each class.
How have the interactions been with the new coaching staff?
MC: I couldn't imagine a better situation for this team or this program. We met the day before class at Coach Banghart's house to talk about our goals as a team and it really does feel like a family.
CO: It's been great. We have a lot of communication with them. We stop by their offices a lot.
AP: They have been excellent. They're positive, encouraging and empowering. We have a lot of fun as a group and there's also a definite sense of purpose.
What do you know about what the team plans to do on offense this year?
MC: The focus of our workouts has been on skill work, different post moves. Once we get into our regular practices, that's when we'll get into the Xs and Os.
CO: Coach Banghart mentioned that our offense will be more catered to individuals, what each of us is good at. Everyone will be looking to score.
AP: We're running probably a motion offense. It depends a lot on personnel. We have to be able to recognize everyone's strengths.
What did you do this summer?
MC: I worked at CBS in New York as an intern for The Early Show. I assisted different producers with segments and research. I learned about what goes into a production like that.
CO: I took some summer classes at UC Santa Barbara just to get ahead and I worked at a chiropractor and sports medicine office.
AP: I worked at a lot of basketball camps, here at Princeton and at the University of Minnesota. I love basketball and I'm hoping to pursue a career as a college coach, so getting to know people in basketball circles is beneficial.
What have you done to work on your game since last season?
MC: The entire summer I worked on staying in shape as much I could with the hours I worked. Coach Halker encouraged me to work on my left hand to open up my game inside.
CO: I worked on my three-point shots. My dad did a lot of rebounding for me and I just got up a lot of shots.
AP: I played a lot of pickup games at home with people I grew up playing with and against. The coaches gave us some shooting workouts to get in some practice.
What are you considering for your senior thesis topic?
MC: I'm looking at the way politicians use religious language in their rhetoric and for what gain.
AP: I want to do something on coaching behaviors. There are a lot of great resources here at Princeton in coaching. I'd like to compare and contrast styles and learn about what goes into being a good leader.
When not at basketball games, what is your favorite Princeton sport to attend?
MC: I really enjoy going to the hockey games. Baker Rink is such a historic rink and a great place to see a game.
CO: I like going to the men's basketball games, although we only get to see them a few times a year. I also like going to the football games.
AP: I like going to the softball games. I played softball in high school and I miss it a lot. I have a lot of friends on the team here.
What class are you particularly looking forward to taking this year?
MC: Abnormal psych with Professor (Michael) Litchman. He's a really great lecturer and a personable professor.
CO: I really enjoy statistics and, with my psych major, my abnormal psych classes.
AP: I enjoy a lot of psychology classes. I have one with John Darley, who did a lot of famous research. He wrote some of what we read in my other classes, so it's great to have a class with him.
What does the team have to do to achieve the kind of success it did two seasons ago?
MC: A lot of elements are in place. We are going to need to continually adjust to different offenses and defenses that we see and maintain a positive attitude. Mentally, we are in a really good place. We're really encouraged by the optimism and the enthusiasm.
CO: Our hard work and determination has been there. We were very cohesive that year. We respect our coaches and know they're going to do what's right as they lead us.
AP: We have to all be on the same page. Everyone is aware of roles and the goals we want to achieve. It comes from the coaches who do an excellent job of getting us in the right direction. The seniors and captains are responsible for demanding what's necessary from the team.