CINCINNATI — The Princeton Lady Vikings are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2014. But this time with a former player as its coach.
What You Need To Know
- Princeton girls' basketball is in the state semifinals for the first time since winning it all in 2014
- Dee Davis is in her second year as head coach
- Davis played at Princeton before playing at Vanderbilt and then the WNBA
- Now Williams has a chance to win a ring she wasn't able to in high school
The Princeton girls' basketball team is no stranger to success with two state championships and multiple WNBA players, including current coach Dee Davis. But it all started right here for Davis.
“When the opportunity presented itself it was like what better way to give back then to go back to where it all started for you," Davis said.
But as a player here at Princeton, Davis never got the chance to compete in the state Final Four.
“I’m a competitor through and through, so as a player, this is what I wanted," she said. "To be the elite. To get to the point where we are playing the best of the best and we’re competing for championships. Nothing changes as a coach.”
Now, with a team of stars, including Williams, who was just named Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year, Davis is looking forward to the chance to compete in a championship.
“I’m back at my alma mater with a great opportunity ahead of us, with an amazing group of young women that I believe we can do this," Davis said. "So it would mean the world to myself, it would mean the world to this community and this program and Princeton. So I’m super excited about getting that chance."
For Williams, this is also about representing a community that has given so much to her family.
“My dad went to Princeton and my brother as well went to Princeton," Williams said. "Just being able to represent for them as well and just putting gonna good show, having everyone come out to support me and the team. It just brings a lot of people together and the community and a lot of people who haven’t watched basketball really to come out and support the girls and me. So it just means a lot.”
Now, Davis is ready to embrace this new journey as a coach of her alma mater and win the ring she wasn’t able to win as a player.
“When I got done playing, everybody told me you’ll be a great coach one day," Davis said. "I wasn’t ready to embrace that at the time because I was in the height of my playing. But after really giving it some thought and giving it a try, it’s something that I’ve really grown to love. To be here, it means a lot. I’m very proud to say I’m a Princeton product and I’m helping this program thrive.”
Correction: The bullets in the story previously referred Dee Davis as Solé Williams. This has been corrected. (March 10, 2023)