Boys Basketball are PSIT Champs
In the 50th year of the Peddie School Invitational Tournament (PSIT), the varsity boys basketball team secured its third win in three straight days to clinch its first championship since 2016.
The Falcons defeated Solebury School 90-55 in the first game, earned an 80-73 victory over The Phelps School the following evening and then notched a 66-63 win over MAPL opponent Mercersburg Academy Sunday afternoon.
Winning the PSIT was a personal goal and a team goal, said Payne, the team’s captain.
“It was a real chippy and physical game,” Payne said. “Once it was over, it was a great, happy feeling that we finally got it over with, and it’s done, and we won. All the fans showed up and they did a great job, so I’m really happy that we could turn it up.”
Payne, who averaged 25 points over the trio of games, was awarded PSIT Most Valuable Player.
Winning the trophy was a team effort. During the game against Solebury School, five Falcons notched double-figures in points, and 10 contributed to the scoresheet. In the following game against The Phelps School, four players contributed double-figure scoring yet again.
Head Coach Joe Rulewich said the PSIT’s energy reflected the Peddie community’s power. “This weekend reminded all of us how special our school community is and how much fun we can have when we show up for one another,” he said.
His players agreed that the raucous home crowd gave them an extra boost.
“Looking up and seeing hundreds of students in the crowd, that definitely got me going a lot more and definitely boosted my adrenaline,” Payne said.
The highly competitive eight-team tournament hosted by Peddie began in 1973 and showcases some of the most outstanding independent basketball school talent in the Mid-Atlantic region.
“When you have the opportunity to have your own tournament at your own school at your own gym in front of everybody, in front of teachers, students and parents, it means a ton,” Payne said. “Just going out and winning is something that you want to do every time. It’s really important to us, and it’s really important to me.”