Boys Basketball Team Wins PSIT
The Peddie Varsity Boys Basketball team defended their title as champions of the Peddie School Invitational Tournament (PSIT), only the second time to do so in the 51-year history of the tournament.
The Falcons defeated Mercersburg Academy 78-67 in the championship game on Dec. 8 after eliminating Saint James School of Maryland (68-39) and Lake Forest Academy of Illinois (60-43) earlier in the weekend. The title game was a rematch of last year’s dramatic victory against Mercersburg.
“We had to do what we had to do, and we got the job done,” said London Carson ’25 following the victory. Carson, the PSIT MVP, averaged 19.3 points over the trio of games.
Gabe Hornberger ’27, who averaged 17.7 points in the tournament, was named to the PSIT All-Tournament Team.
During the championship win, the Falcons’ offense was sparked by a dominant first half by Hornberger, who had 19 of his 23 points in the first two quarters. Peddie closed out the first quarter with three consecutive 3-pointers from Hornberger, Emir Deldag ’26, and Carson, who beat the buzzer from long range.
Depth contributed to the victory as Yasin Elhossieni ’25 stole the ball and laid it in on the offensive end to increase the Peddie lead to 48-39 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.
Jayden Moton ’27 beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to end the third frame and give Peddie a 58-49 lead. His brother, Jordan Moton ’27 increased the lead early in the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to make it 61-49.
Deldag, who finished the game with 14 points, put the Falcons up 74-64 with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter with a corner 3 in front of the Peddie bench. Guard Ethan Nelson ’28 contributed on both sides of the ball.
“The school spirit is amazing, it’s definitely great for basketball,” Carson said of his first PSIT.
Head Coach Joe Rulewich said it’s an accomplishment when you get to win your own tournament in front of your own student section on your own court.
“It takes some good luck, it takes some great defense, you have to make some timely shots and you have to figure out ways to win,” he said. “And I thought we did that, particularly in the championship game to beat a really good Mercersburg team which has a great identity defensively.”
As a team, the Falcons allowed the fewest points in the highly-competitive eight-team tournament with a 49.7 average over three games.
With 11 of 15 players on the roster being new to the team this season, Hornberger said it has been a great adjustment to Peddie.
“It comes down to teamwork. I think we’re a really good team,” he said. “We pass the ball well, and we play for each other and I think that’s what won us the tournament.”
Rulewich said the team has embraced being young and talked about the leadership that comes with some of the older guys as well, while also embracing the youth.
“I think we’ve been building that identity, that sense of team, the entire fall into the beginning of the season,” he said. “When you get to put that together in game situations when you’re tested the most and you have a chance to compete, it really comes together. The confidence that comes with winning the tournament will propel us this year and I’m looking forward to this team continuing to grow up together.”