Mike Vukovcan Hopewell Township- Playoff basketball was back in town as #5 Hopewell hosted #12 Greensburg Salem at Hopewell High School in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.
A very nice crowd showed up tonight and the gym had a playoff atmosphere. Hopewell jumped out to a 12-2 lead before Greensburg Salem responded to get within 3 points.
The two points traded points in the 2nd quarter before the Vikings went on a 6-0 run at the end of the quarter to take a 27-20 into halftime.
In the 3rd quarter it was all Brody Rock and James Armstrong as Rock scored 11 points in the quarter. After that, Hopewell’s talent and depth took over as they outscored Greensburg Salem in the 2nd half, 47-29.
A balanced score sheet tonight for Hopewell as Brody Rock led the way with 19 points followed by James Armstrong with 17 points, Justin Shegog with 13 points, Jeremy Benninghoff with 9 and Jack Biega with 5. Â (All of these point totals are unofficial).
Next up for Hopewell is a quarterfinal matchup against #13 Deer Lakes, who upset #4 Derry, 57-46. This game will take place on Wednesday. The site of the game hasn’t been announced.
A&S Federal Credit Union are proud sponsors of Hopewell Boys and Girls High School, Junior High and Youth Sports.
1st Quarter Scoring–
*Justin Shegog opened up the scoring with a tough drive from the right wing, Hopewell 2-0
*More toughness and quickness as Jack Biega also drives in for a layup, Hopewell 4-2
*Make that three as Brody Rock gets to the hoop from the left wing, Hopewell 6-2
*Shegog with a steal with halfcourt and takes it home for 2, Hopewell 8-2
*Biega with a miss from the outside but Armstrong grabs the rebound and puts it back in for a layup, Hopewell 10-2
*Greensburg Salem’s plan was to make it difficult to get Armstrong any touches in the paint and they did a good job early on but on this possession, Shegog finds Armstrong who connects on a baby hook, Hopewell 12-2
END OF 1ST QUARTER- Hopewell 12 Greensburg Salem 7
2ND Quarter Scoring-
*Greensburg Salem was on a 7-0 run before Biega drains a 3-pointer, Hopewell 15-9
*Avery Bokor with a nice entry pass to Armstrong who makes the shot and is fouled, Hopewell 17-11
*Rock with a miss but Shegog grabs the rebound and puts it back in for 2, Hopewell, 21-18
*Armstrong with a defensive rebound and dribbles coast to coast for a layup, Hopewell 23-18
*Armstrong with a shot in the paint, misses but muscles his way for his own miss and converts the putback, Hopewell 25-18
*Armstrong with a pass to Shegog who finds Benninghoff who finishes, Hopewell 27-20
HALFTIME- Hopewell 27 Greensburg Salem 20
3RD Quarter Scoring-
*After a quiet first half with only 2 points, Rock gets going by making the 1st shot of the 3rd quarter, a 3-pointer from the corner, Hopewell 30-20
*Shegog with another steal and layup, Hopewell 32-20
*Biega with a miss, Armstrong with a rebound and gets fouled shooting. Armstrong goes 1 of 2 but after missing the 2nd shot, Rock grabs the rebound and makes the layup, Hopewell 35-23
*Rock with a steal at halfcourt and races for a layup, Hopewell 37-23
*Armstrong with a defensive rebound and fires a pass down the court to Rock, who converts the layup, Hopewell 39-23
*Armstrong with another assist, a nice touch pass to Benninghoff who finishes down low, Hopewell 41-27
*Armstrong with a steal and his 3rd assist in a row, this time to Shegog, Hopewell 43-27
*Armstrong with a rebound and fires a pass to Rock, who performs a nice Euro step for 2, Hopewell 45-29
*More defense for Hopewell, Biega blocks a shot, gets it up to Rock who misses but Benninghoff gets the rebound and 2, Hopewell 47-29
*Right before the end of the quarter, Rock with a miss but Armstrong with the rebound and layup, Hopewell 49-31
END OF 3RD QUARTER- Hopewell 49 Greensburg Salem 31
4TH QUARTER Scoring-
*Benninghoff with a 3 pointer to open the quarter, Hopewell 57-38
*Armstrong with a block, gets it to Benninghoff who goes in on a 2-1 with Rock and Rock converts a pass for the layup, Hopewell 57-38
*Shegog from the corner with a 3-pointer
*Armstrong drives from the left wing, knocks down the shot off the glass and is fouled, Hopewell 63-43
*Rock with a blocked shot, Hopewell gets out in transition and Armstrong gets 2 more off the glass, 65-43
*Rock with a hard drive from the left wing for a layup, Hopewell 67-45
*Late in the game, Jayvion Lindsey converts 2 free throws, Hopewell 72-49
*On the final possession, Jackson Yurcina gets around his man, drives the baseline, almost converts but Bokor is there for the rebound and 2 points.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 74 GREENSBURG SALEM 49
Following the game, Vikings Sports Now was in the Hopewell locker room and talked with HC Doug Biega about the game and about the win, which was #400 of his career.
