Hopewell HS Boys Basketball Beats Undefeated Keystone Oaks

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The Hopewell Vikings boys basketball team went into last night’s game knowing that they would need to play their best game of the season if they had a chance to beat Keystone Oaks.

Keystone Oaks was 6-0 and the most talented team Hopewell had played to date.

As good teams tend to do, the Vikings rose to the occasion and came away with a 78-64 win. With the win, Hopewell upped their record to 4-0.

A couple major story lines from last night:

*Hopewell sophomore James Armstrong had a monster game with 30 points and 24 rebounds. Boo was a man amongst boys. By the way, that 30 points was a new career-high.

*HC Doug Biega and his staff continue to receive major production from someone other than Armstrong and Brody Rock. Sophomore Justin Shegog was the man again last night as he finished with 17 points, as did Rock. Shegog has been a huge part of Hopewell’s success, being so productive as the first person off the bench.

*As the often used phrase goes, ‘Offense wins games, defense wins championships’. While the scoring of Armstrong, Rock and Shegog received the headlines, the defensive contribution of sophomore Jack Biega was a huge ingredient to last night’s win. Biega’s second half performance guarding Keystone Oaks leading scorer was elite. Biega kept him 11 points under his season average (27 PPG and held to 16).

Here is the Play-By-Play from last night:

1ST QUARTER:

Brody first to score (rebound and assist by Tre Cameron)

Keystone responded back with a 3

Nick Adams 2 pts 

Keystone adds 4 quick points to lead 7-4

Brody 2 pts with assist by James

Justin 2 pts (Biega offensive rebound and assist)

James 2 points as Hopewell takes their first lead, 10-9

Keystone 3 pointer, KO 12-10

James rebound and drives all the way for 2 w/foul, 12-12

Keystone another 3 pointer, KO 15-12

Tre and Justin with 2 each, Hopewell 16-15

Keystone with 2

Brody hits 2 at buzzer 

End of 1st Quarter: Hopewell 18-17

2nd Quarter:

Keystone comes out with 2 and retakes lead, 18-19

Jack takes drive to hoop, gets fouled makes 1, 19-19

Keystone goes on a 7-0 run, 19-26

Brody 2pts with foul makes foul shot, 22-26

Justin 2, 24-26

Brody steals ball and makes basket 2

Keystone with 2 more, 28-31

Hopewell Timeout

Justin 2

James offensive rebound & foul. Makes both shots, Hopewell retakes lead 32-31

Keystone 2

Nick 2 with nice assist by Justin

Keystone 2

Nick Adams 2 more, Hopewell 36-33

James with a steal and scores with foul. 3 pt play, Hopewell 39-33

Justin gets fouled at buzzer makes both foul shots

Halftime: Hopewell 41 Keystone Oaks 33

3rd Quarter:

Hopewell starts quarter strong to break the game open.

James 2 with Nick assist 

James offensive rebound assist to Brody for 2

James 2

Keystone 3, Hopewell 47-36

Nick fouled makes both shots 2

Keystone 3

Brody 3

Keystone scores the next 5 points, Hopewell 52-44

Jack offensive rebound and basket 2

James fouled makes both shots 2, Hopewell 56-44

Justin and James each with baskets

End of quarter saw Justin and James with 2 pts each 

End of 3rd Quarter: Hopewell 60 Keystone Oaks 47

4th Quarter-

Justin 2

Keystone 2

James 2 long pass assist by Brody 

Keystone next 9 points, Hopewell 64-58

Brody fouled makes 1 basket

Justin 2 with Brody assist 

Brody 2 with Riley assist 

Keystone 2, Hopewell 69-60

James offensive rebound and foul makes 1

Justin fouled makes 1

James another offensive rebound and 2, Hopewell 73-60

Keystone 2

James 2

Keystone 2

Jack fouled makes 1

James 2

Final Score: Hopewell 78 Keystone Oaks 64

*All four of Hopewell’s wins have been by double-digits.

After the game, VSN caught up with Coach Biega for his postgame thoughts.

”Tonight was definitely a battle of wills.  Keystone Oaks is an excellent team with an excellent coach,” said Biega. The coach is a tough guy, old school, which means you had to play old school to beat them, which I thought our guys responded to.”

“James was an absolute demon tonight, as was Brody. But I thought everybody did their part at some point  in the game.  When we went down by seven in the second quarter we responded with a huge run that gave us a lead that we never relinquished. I think they’re sort of starting to figure out what it takes to win. It’s been a while right? So they’re trying to figure it out and we are relentless on that approach.”

”My staff is incredible and we will get the best out of these guys moving forward into the section play. But tonight was fun. We beat a 6–0 team. That doesn’t happen a lot. I’m proud of this group. I’m proud of the effort.”

Speaking of section play, that starts for Hopewell on Friday as they travel to take on Avonworth.

Wanted to also mention that the Hopewell JV team remains unbeaten as they beat KO, 49-24. Because of Keystone Oaks limited roster (health and injuries) the two teams only played two minute halves.

Hopewell 49 Keystone Oaks 24

Hopewell Scorers:

Zack Sampson with 10

Avery Bokor with 16

Jayvion Lindsey with 11

Jeremy Beninghoff with 8

Justin Shegog with 4