Lillian Otto Hopewell traveled to Elizabeth Forward on Monday night for their WPIAL 4A 1st Round Playoff matchup, a rematch from their 1st Round game in 2025.
The opening quarter set the tone for a competitive start. Avery Boyd ignited the offense early, converting a fast-break layup to put her team on the board. Allison Ramaley followed with a smooth mid-range jumper, and Caylee Sundy showed poise at the line, knocking down two free throws. Sundy continued to make her presence felt with a wide-open layup, while Ava Ray turned defense into offense with a steal and finish. Elizabeth Forward closed the quarter on a run, taking a 13–10 lead.
The second quarter proved decisive. Boyd attacked the rim for a strong finish, then delivered a three-point play to try to keep the deficit manageable. She calmly added the free throw to complete the play. Elizabeth Forward kept coming though, and even though many of their long-range shots we’re falling, they continued to control the rebounds, converting on second chance opportunities and extending their lead to 30-15 at the Half.
Coming out of the break, Hopewell showed resilience. Sundy curled off a screen for a jumper and later buried a three-pointer off an inbounds play to inject energy into the offense. Ray added another determined drive to the basket, and Sundy chipped in at the free-throw line. Hopewell tightened up their defense and held the Warriors to just 8 points in the 3rd quarter but could not find their rhythm offensively and trailed 38-23 heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter showcased the team’s fight. Sundy knocked down another three-pointer and later scored on a well-executed inbounds set. Boyd answered with a three of her own and attacked the basket for two more. Sundy also created for her teammates, delivering a sharp pass that led to a Boyd layup. With a minute left in the game, seniors Sundy and Ramaley exited the game to a standing ovation from the Hopewell crowd.
Abigail Kovell added a late elbow jumper and when the final buzzer sounded, Elizabeth Forward proved victorious 58-37.
Though a playoff loss marks the end of a season, it does not define it. The team demonstrated resilience from the very beginning, overcoming early-season injuries that left the roster shorthanded and forced players into expanded roles. Instead of folding, the group adapted, chemistry developed and injuries healed, leading to several key victories down the stretch that ultimately secured a berth in the WPIAL playoffs.
That midseason surge spoke volumes about the team’s character. Players embraced new responsibilities, younger contributors gained invaluable varsity experience, and the group found its identity through hard work and collective effort. The lessons learned will prove extremely valuable as the returning players continue their high school careers.
Thank you, girls, for a great season. You played hard, competed with heart, and represented Hopewell with pride and passion.
Game Recap:
1ST QUARTER
2-0 Avery Boyd scores off a fast-break layup
4-4 Allison Ramaley hits a two-point jumper
6-4 Caylee Sundy makes 2 of 2 free throws
8-8 A wide-open layup falls for Sundy
10-8 Ava Ray converts a steal to a layup
10-13 End of 1st Quarter
2ND QUARTER
12-20 Boyd takes it to the rim
14-28 Boyd gets the basket plus the foul
15-28 Boyd makes 1 of 1 free throw
15-30 Halftime
3RD QUARTER
17-32 Sundy hits a jumper off a screen
19-36 A three falls for Sundy off an inbounds pass
22-38 Ray with a nice take to the hoop for two
23-38 Sundy makes 1 of 2 free throws
23-38 End of 3rd Quarter
4TH QUARTER
26-40 A three pointer falls for Sundy
29-44 Boyd swishes a three pointer
31-46 Boyd drives to the basket for two
33-49 Sundy scores a layup off an inbounds pass
35-52 A nice pass from Sundy leads to a Boyd layup
37-52 Abigail Kovell hits an elbow jumper
37-58 Final
