Cold 4th Quarter Difference in Hopewell Girls Basketball Loss to Ellwood City

Injuries are part of the game and something that the Hopewell Girls basketball team have had to deal with to start this 2024-25 season.

Not to make excuses but this was a very young team to begin with and then they were hit with some bad luck.

Allison Ramaley was injured and forced to miss the first few games and is finally returning to the court. Last night, was her most extended playing time of the season. Her absence from the rotation was telling.

But the big blow has been the loss of leading scorer from last season, junior guard Caylee Sundy.

Sundy suffered a lower body injury in the first quarter of the second game and hasn’t returned to action. No word on when Sundy can return to the court.

Considering her huge presence both offensively and defensively, her absence has been felt particularly in a couple of the Vikings close losses.

Last night, the Lady Vikings traveled to Ellwood City and looked to get back into the win column. Unfortunately, after battling back, a cold 4th quarter doomed them as they fell 46-37.

Hopewell trailed 16-10 after the first quarter and 28-18 at halftime but came alive in the 3rd quarter to cut the deficit to just 37-35.

However, they ran out of gas and scored just 2 points in the final quarter.

Maya Richburg continued her strong play this season as she led the Lady Vikings in scoring with 13 points, 8 of which came in the 3rd quarter.

Sophomore guard Avery Boyd chipped in with 9 points, Ramaley collected 6 points, Alyssa Spang had 3 points and Marlee Page, Hannah McDowell and Addison Blosnick each had 2.

Hopewell’s record drops to 1-4 and they’ll return to action on Friday when they host Lincoln Park.