Hopewell Junior High Basketball
Balance Leads Hopewell 8th Grade Girls To 35-27 Win Over West Allegheny
The Hopewell Vikings Girls Junior High Basketball team showed a lot of grit this afternoon against West Allegheny.
The Lady Vikings didn’t play their best game, but they stuck with it, didn’t hang their heads and continued to battle for four quarters.
In the end, thanks to that and contributions from everyone. After 9 lead changes, the Lady Vikings were able to pull ahead in the 4th quarter to defeat West Allegheny, 35-27.
Lilly Enders led Hopewell in scoring with 11 points, Calasia Cannon scored 9 points, Abby Babinsack chipped in 6 points, Ava Ray had 5 points and Lillian Otto finished with 4.
This was a back-and-forth contest for the entire 24 minutes.
1ST QUARTER:
Hopewell got on the board quickly as off the opening tip, Ray grabbed a loose ball and raced in for a rebound. Hopewell led 2-0.
The Vikings turned defense into offense as Cannon came up with a steal and dribbled the length of the court for a layup, Hopewell led 5-2.
Hopewell’s size paid off as Abby Babinsack came up with an offensive rebound following a missed 3-pointer and converts the layup. Hopewell jumped back in front 7-5.
The final points of the quarter came on a 3-pointer from Lillian Otto.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: HOPEWELL 10 WEST ALLEGHENY 5
2ND QUARTER:
West Allegheny outplayed Hopewell in the second frame, outscoring them 10-7 but Hopewell kept the halftime lead.
Ray missed a 3-pointer, but Babinsack battled for the rebound and converted another layup. Hopewell 12-8.
Later, Otto with a nice pass to Lily Enders, who created nice position in the paint and took it up for two points. Hopewell retook the lead 14-13.
West Allegheny took the lead, but Hopewell answered as Amiyah Shell with a nice entry pass to Enders down low for 2. Hopewell leads 16-15.
HALFTIME: HOPEWELL 17 WEST ALLEGHENY 15
3RD QUARTER:
West Allegheny came out strong in the 3rd quarter and scored the first six points to take a 4-point lead, 21-17.
The last 2 minutes of the 3rd quarter were keys moments on this game.
With 2:26 left, Ray, who battled foul trouble throughout the game, knocked down a 3-pointer at the top of the key. West Allegheny now led only 21-20.
Less than 30 seconds later, the Vikings regained the lead as Ray found Enders with a bounce pass, who put in a layup. Hopewell 22-21.
Then with just :59 seconds in the 3rd quarter, Cannon knocked down a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key. Hopewell retook the lead 25-23.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: HOPEWELL 25 WEST ALLEGHENY 23
4TH QUARTER:
Holding a 3-point lead, Ray missed a 3-pointer but Babinsack, who had a strong game, pulled down the offensive and put in another layup. Hopewell 28-23.
Late in the game, Cannon displayed her ball skills as she grabbed a rebound, drove the length of the court and hits a layup. Hopewell 31-23.
With 1:46 left, Hopewell spread things out and iso’d Cannon at the top of the key and she blew past her defender for a layup. Hopewell 33-23.
The final hoop of the game came on a nice spin move in the lane by Enders.
VIKINGS WIN 35-27!!
The Hopewell 7th and 8th grade girls return to the court on Thursday as they host Beaver at the Hopewell Junior High School.
