Recap

Hill School 60, Peddie School 55 >> Hill (6-2) nipped MAPL foe Peddie (6-3) in the third place game of the Mercer Invitational SundayHill led 33-28 at halftime, but then trailed 47-46 going into the 4th quarter. The game went back and forth throughout the final stanza until Bryce Allen gave Hill a 56-55 lead on a baseline runner. Chase Audige then made two key defensive plays, as he converted a huge steal into an and-1 finish at the other end. He then came up with another defensive play, knocking the ball away to Allen who laid it in for the final margin with 2 seconds remaining.

The Blues got balanced scoring, led by Solomon Ruddell’s 16 points for the second consecutive night. Ruddell earned all-tourney recognition behind another strong performance that included eight rebounds and three blocks. Allen added 12 points, four assists, and three steals. Bentley-bound Seth Stankiewicz had 10 points, and Dartmouth-bound Jonas Stakeliunas had eight points and seven rebounds. Peddie’s Dan Largey had a game-high 17 points.

In the championship game, Blue Ridge (Va.) downed Kent School (Conn.), 59-57.