Hill and Blair have matched up 4 of the last 5 years in the MAPL championship game. The rivalry these two programs has runs deep throughout everyone involved. That rivalry was on full display on Sunday as both teams fought tooth and nail all game in what will go down as one of the greatest league championship games that has been played in a long time. In a game that came down to the final seconds, Blair pulled out the nail biter on a three pointer with 2.8 seconds left hit by senior guard Gabriel Ravetz. Hill took a full court heave at the end of game to win it but it sailed out giving the Bucs their 3rd championship in 4 years. 

 

The Blues came out of the gate firing on all cylinders while also defending at a high rate jumping out to an early 10-3 lead led by five first quarter points from Caleb Dorsey ’20. As they would do all night, Blair answered Hill’s run to the end the quarter and Hill held on for a narrow 13-12 lead going into the second. In what was maybe the best quarter Hill has played all season, the visitors made six three pointers during the frame including 2 each from both Nick Alikakos ’18 and Gabe Dorsey ’21. Hill would score 30 points in the quarter and needed every point to offset the hot hand of junior guard Jordan Dingle who had a game high 25 points and 13 in the second. Hill held a 43-34 lead going into halftime. 

 

Blair would open up the 3rd quarter on a 18-5 run to go ahead 52-48. Hill could not handle Blair’s pressure and turned the ball over six times during that stretch. A 6-0 run to the end the 3rd for the Blues pulled them within two points heading into the final quarter, 54-52. The final quarter saw both teams making big play after big play. Chase Audige ’18 showed his leadership by continually getting into the paint and finding kick outs for Seth Maxwell ’18 when the defense collapsed on him.  Hill got multiple stops down the stretch and had a chance to ice the game on the free throw line. The Blues, however could not capitalize and left the door open for what would be a Ravetz three to put Blair up for good.