Hopewell Jr. High Gold Team Loses on 3-Pointer at Buzzer

The Hopewell Gold team held a slim lead after 1 quarter.  But South Fayette provided the opposition that this group needs moving forward.

South Fayette made shots and precise plays while Hopewell‘s defense was a step slow and offense made rarely seen errors throughout the entire second quarter.

South Fayette had a five point lead at the half. Hopewell opened up the second half on a 6–0 run to regain control, in, what would be a back-and-forth contest throughout the remainder of the evening. Both teams traded hay makers throughout the entire third and fourth quarters.  The biggest lead was three.

With the game tide at 44 and only 12 seconds remaining; James Armstrong stole a pass and went coast to coast for a layup that gave South Fayette only seven seconds and trailing by two. They inbounded the ball to a third option as the Hopewell stifling defense did an excellent job eliminating the first two.

Sometimes the basketball gods speak and as the South  Fayette guard lost control of the ball, he lunged and gathered it at the top of the key and threw it over his shoulder for a game-winning three-point basket.

Although the team was very disappointed, we would hope that they learned that every game from here on out will be competitive. If that lesson is learned and good habits are now taken with them as they advance through this difficult schedule, then games like this are worth more than the result on the scoreboard.

Summaries and statistical leaders are as follows.

1st Quarter:
SF 10
HOPEWELL 14

HALF:
SF 26
HOPEWELL 21

3rd Quarter:
SF 42
HOPEWELL 41

Final:
SF 47
HOPEWELL 46

Scoring Leaders:

Armstrong 22
Rock 9
Bokor 6
Biega 5
Cameron 4