Hopewell Township- The start of the 2024-25 season has no doubt been a struggle for the Hopewell Girls basketball team.
A serious injury to leading scorer Caylee Sundy has been the biggest factor, especially when you consider the youth on the roster. Despite the losses, the one positive to come from this has been the extended playing time that a number of freshman and sophomores has been able to receive.
Tonight, Coach Homiak and the Lady Vikings received great news as Sundy was able to return since being sidelined since the 3rd game of the season.
Sundy’s return coupled with balanced scoring from up and down the roster allowed Hopewell to bring a long losing streak and roll over Ambridge, 53-8. With the win, Hopewell improved their record to 2-6 and 1-3 in their section.
1st Quarter Recap:
-The first basket of the game came courtesy a conversion in the paint from Aubrey Cumpton on a nice assist from Sundy, Hopewell 2-0.
-Following that hoop, Hopewell forced a turnover, which resulted in a 3-pointer from Sundy, Hopewell 5-0.
-Later, Allison Ramaley finds Sundy, who converted a layup, Hopewell 7-0.
-More defense as Sundy picks up a steal and passes to freshman Addison Blosnick for a layup, Hopewell 11-0.
-Following an Ambridge basket, the Vikings break the press as Sundy finds Blosnick again, Hopewell 13-2.
-Ambridge had a hard time with the Vikings man-to-man defense, Cumpston picks up a steal and gets the ball to Avery Boyd, who drains a long 3-pointer, Hopewell 16-2.
-More from Boyd as she locates Blosnick, who runs the floor and converts a layup, Hopewell 18-2.
-More from Blosnick, who had the best quarter of her young career, as Hopewell easily breaks the press again and Addison gets fouled at the hoop, but she makes the layup, Hopewell 21-5.
End of 1st Quarter: Hopewell 23-5
2nd Quarter Recap:
-More of the same in the 2nd quarter as Cumpston gets her second steal, then passes to Boyd, who spins in the paint, makes the shot and is fouled, Hopewell 26-5.
-More Boyd, as she takes a pass from Sundy and knocks down another 3-pointer, Hopewell 29-5.
-Then at the halftime buzzer, Maya Richburg strips the Ambridge guard of the ball at halfcourt and races to the other end to make a layup before the buzzer, Hopewell 36-7.
Halftime: Hopewell 36-7.
3rd Quarter Recap:
-Blosnick with a strong take to the hoop, she gets fouled shooting and goes on to make 2 FT’s, Hopewell 38-7.
-Great ball movement from Hopewell as Sundy whips a pass into the corner to Ramaley, who hits a corner J, Hopewell 40-7.
-Same thing next possession as Sundy with a nice skip pass to Ramaley, who converts a short jumper, Hopewell 42-7.
-Next possession, Sundy pulls down a rebound, passes to Ramaley, who finds Boyd underneath, who makes the shot and is fouled, Hopewell 44-7.
-The last basket of the quarter comes from Ramaley again, who had her best game of the season, Hopewell 46-7.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: Hopewell 46-8.
4th Quarter Recap:
-Hopewell made a few free throws this quarter but freshman C.C. Smetana converted a layup off a nice inbounds pass from Cumpston.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 53-8
Nice job Lady Vikings let’s hope this is the start of a long winning streak. Hopewell returns to the court tomorrow night as they travel to Mohawk.
