The Hill School Boys Basketball Team Makes History with Record 25 Wins in 2025 Season
In an extraordinary season marked by grit, determination, and outstanding teamwork, the Hill School boys basketball team achieved a school record 25 wins, finishing with an impressive 25-8 record. Head Coach Seth Eilberg’s squad overcame a challenging schedule, demonstrated resilience in pressure-packed moments, and brought home the Mercer Tournament title in thrilling fashion. This season recap highlights the key contributors, defining moments, and the bright future that lies ahead for the Blues.
A Season of Historic Achievements
The 2025 campaign was a landmark year for The Hill School basketball program. With 25 victories, the team set a new school record for most wins in a single season. One of the most notable highlights came in the Mercer Tournament, where The Hill School captured the title for only the seventh time in the tournament’s long history. The championship game was a nail-biter, with the Blues edging out local powerhouse Westtown in an electrifying overtime finish.
Coach Eilberg reflected on the season’s journey, praising the team's ability to find ways to win even when the odds were stacked against them. “Throughout the season, we faced an incredibly challenging schedule,” he said. “But our guys showed tremendous heart and resilience. Going undefeated at home in Gillison Gym was a testament to their focus and determination.”
Despite the many highs, the team endured some tough losses in championship games, including close defeats to Blair in the MAPL Tournament and Phelps in the PAISAA championships. These setbacks, however, have only served to fuel the team’s motivation for the next season.
Key Contributors and Team Leaders
The Blues’ success this year was driven by a core group of talented players who stepped up in pivotal ways. Senior Jacob Meachem led the charge with outstanding performances, earning 1st team All-MAPL honors. He was the team’s leading scorer, top assist provider, and steals leader, becoming just the third player in the last 25 years to surpass 1,000 career points at Hill. Meachem’s versatility and leadership were invaluable on both ends of the court.
Junior Ethan Johnston was another standout contributor, earning 1st team All-MAPL as well. He led the team in rebounding, anchoring the inside presence for the Blues. His relentless effort on the boards and ability to score consistently made him a tough matchup for opponents.
Filippo Galli, also a senior, earned Honorable Mention All-MAPL recognition. He was a double-digit scorer and ranked in the top three on the team for rebounds, assists, and steals. Galli’s all-around contributions complemented Meachem and Johnston perfectly.
Defensively, Quadri “Bash” Bashiru was a cornerstone, anchoring the Blues’ defense with physicality and smart positioning. Alongside him, players like Cole Trn (Class of ’27), Caleb Jameson (’26), Anderson Brndjar (’25), and Joseph Terreri (’26) contributed to a dynamic and sharpshooting three-point attack. Impressively, six players on the team shot over 38% from beyond the arc, helping The Hill average a potent 72 points per game.
Rounding out the rotation, seniors Kessy Cox and Charlie Hewitt provided valuable minutes and experience, embodying the pride and humility that defined this remarkable group.
Defining Moments and Turning Points
Several moments throughout the season helped shape the Blues’ identity and propelled them to success. The Mercer Tournament title win, especially the overtime victory over Westtown, stands out as a defining achievement. It was a true team effort in a high-pressure situation that showcased the team’s poise and resilience.
Additionally, going undefeated in their home gym—Gillison Gym—was a major factor in their overall success. That strong home court advantage gave the team confidence and momentum throughout the season.
While losses in the MAPL and PAISAA championship games were tough pills to swallow, Coach Eilberg believes those experiences will serve as motivation for the returning players. “Those close losses will push this team to work harder in the offseason and come back stronger,” he noted.
Growth and Development
Throughout the season, several players stepped into bigger roles and showed tremendous growth. Younger players like Cole Trn and Caleb Jameson developed their games alongside veterans, blending youthful energy with experience. This mix will be a strong foundation for the future.
Meachem, Johnston, and Galli, among others, displayed leadership on and off the court, mentoring teammates and setting an example in practice and games. The team’s chemistry and camaraderie were evident all season, as players supported each other and played selflessly.
Handling Challenges
Coach Eilberg pointed out that despite a tough schedule and stiff competition, the Blues consistently found ways to win close games. “Our guys showed tremendous mental toughness in pressure situations,” he said. The ability to perform in crunch time was a hallmark of the team’s identity.
While the season ended with bittersweet losses in some key games, the resilience displayed throughout leaves the program poised for continued success.
What the Senior Class Brought
The 2025 senior class left a lasting impact on The Hill School basketball program. Their leadership, energy, and performance elevated the team to historic heights. Coach Eilberg emphasized their importance: “This senior class will be missed greatly. They brought pride, grit, and humility to the program and set the standard for those who come after them.”
Meachem, Galli, Brndjar, Cox, Hewitt, and Anderson’s contributions extended beyond the stat sheet. Their mentorship helped create a positive culture and build a strong foundation for the future.
Looking Ahead
As the Blues look to the 2025-26 season, excitement is high about the returning players and the team’s future. Despite graduating key seniors, the core group of juniors and underclassmen has learned valuable lessons and gained confidence.
Coach Eilberg highlighted the potential for next year: “We have a great foundation to build on. Our returning players have tasted success and understand what it takes to win. With hard work this offseason, we expect to be even more competitive.”
The development of younger players alongside the experienced veterans creates optimism that The Hill School will remain a force in their league and beyond.
Focus for the Offseason
Improvement will be a central theme this offseason. Coach Eilberg is focused on sharpening fundamentals, increasing leadership, and developing team chemistry. “We want to build on our success but also address areas that need growth,” he explained. “Leadership will be key with so many seniors gone, so helping our young players step up is a priority.”
The team’s dedication to continuous improvement signals a promising future for The Hill School basketball.
Where to Follow the Team
For fans and supporters wanting to keep up with the team’s progress and stats, the latest updates are available on the school’s athletics website and social media channels. The program encourages community support as the Blues continue to build on their record-setting season.
In conclusion, the 2025 season for the Hill School boys basketball team was one for the history books. With a school-record 25 wins, a thrilling Mercer Tournament championship, and a team defined by pride, grit, and unity, the Blues have established themselves as a formidable program. Led by outstanding players like Jacob Meachem and Ethan Johnston, this group has set a high standard and laid a strong foundation for future success. With a talented returning core and motivated young players ready to step up, the future looks very bright for The Hill School basketball.
, Caleb Jameson (’26), Anderson Brndjar (’25), and Joseph Terreri (’26) contributed to a dynamic and sharpshooting three-point attack. Impressively, six players on the team shot over 38% from beyond the arc, helping The Hill average a potent 72 points per game.
Rounding out the rotation, seniors Kessy Cox and Charlie Hewitt provided valuable minutes and experience, embodying the pride and humility that defined this remarkable group.
Defining Moments and Turning Points
Several moments throughout the season helped shape the Blues’ identity and propelled them to success. The Mercer Tournament title win, especially the overtime victory over Westtown, stands out as a defining achievement. It was a true team effort in a high-pressure situation that showcased the team’s poise and resilience.
Additionally, going undefeated in their home gym—Gillison Gym—was a major factor in their overall success. That strong home court advantage gave the team confidence and momentum throughout the season.
While losses in the MAPL and PAISAA championship games were tough pills to swallow, Coach Eilberg believes those experiences will serve as motivation for the returning players. “Those close losses will push this team to work harder in the offseason and come back stronger,” he noted.
Growth and Development
Throughout the season, several players stepped into bigger roles and showed tremendous growth. Younger players like Cole Trn and Caleb Jameson developed their games alongside veterans, blending youthful energy with experience. This mix will be a strong foundation for the future.
Meachem, Johnston, and Galli, among others, displayed leadership on and off the court, mentoring teammates and setting an example in practice and games. The team’s chemistry and camaraderie were evident all season, as players supported each other and played selflessly.
Handling Challenges
Coach Eilberg pointed out that despite a tough schedule and stiff competition, the Blues consistently found ways to win close games. “Our guys showed tremendous mental toughness in pressure situations,” he said. The ability to perform in crunch time was a hallmark of the team’s identity.
While the season ended with bittersweet losses in some key games, the resilience displayed throughout leaves the program poised for continued success.
What the Senior Class Brought
The 2025 senior class left a lasting impact on The Hill School basketball program. Their leadership, energy, and performance elevated the team to historic heights. Coach Eilberg emphasized their importance: “This senior class will be missed greatly. They brought pride, grit, and humility to the program and set the standard for those who come after them.”
Meachem, Galli, Brndjar, Cox, Hewitt, and Anderson’s contributions extended beyond the stat sheet. Their mentorship helped create a positive culture and build a strong foundation for the future.
Looking Ahead
As the Blues look to the 2025-26 season, excitement is high about the returning players and the team’s future. Despite graduating key seniors, the core group of juniors and underclassmen has learned valuable lessons and gained confidence.
Coach Eilberg highlighted the potential for next year: “We have a great foundation to build on. Our returning players have tasted success and understand what it takes to win. With hard work this offseason, we expect to be even more competitive.”
The development of younger players alongside the experienced veterans creates optimism that The Hill School will remain a force in their league and beyond.
Focus for the Offseason
Improvement will be a central theme this offseason. Coach Eilberg is focused on sharpening fundamentals, increasing leadership, and developing team chemistry. “We want to build on our success but also address areas that need growth,” he explained. “Leadership will be key with so many seniors gone, so helping our young players step up is a priority.”
The team’s dedication to continuous improvement signals a promising future for The Hill School basketball.
Where to Follow the Team
For fans and supporters wanting to keep up with the team’s progress and stats, the latest updates are available on the school’s athletics website and social media channels. The program encourages community support as the Blues continue to build on their record-setting season.
In conclusion, the 2025 season for the Hill School boys basketball team was one for the history books. With a school-record 25 wins, a thrilling Mercer Tournament championship, and a team defined by pride, grit, and unity, the Blues have established themselves as a formidable program. Led by outstanding players like Jacob Meachem and Ethan Johnston, this group has set a high standard and laid a strong foundation for future success. With a talented returning core and motivated young players ready to step up, the future looks very bright for The Hill School basketball.)
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