Lillian Otto The Hopewell HS Boys basketball program hasn’t recorded many meaningful wins over the last decade but in the last couple of weeks, this 2025-26 team has picked up two in consecutive weeks.
The first one took place on the road at Central Valley and then last night, the Vikings fought for a last-second win over Avonworth. Because of this Hopewell has put themselves in position to possibly qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 16 years.
Last night, Hopewell battled in an intense game through four hard-fought quarters and came up with a clutch 51–49 victory, leaning on timely scoring, toughness in the paint, and big plays down the stretch to seal the win.
Hopewell got off to a steady start in the opening quarter, with James Armstrong scoring inside off a nice feed from Brody Rock and later attacking the rim again to keep things close. Rock knocked down a big three to spark the offense, while Justin Shegog added points at the free-throw line. Armstrong continued to be aggressive, earning trips to the line as Hopewell stayed right with their opponent heading into the end of the first.
The Vikings found their rhythm in the second quarter, highlighted by Shegog finishing a strong inbounds play for an and-one and Tre Cameron attacking the baseline for a floater and a foul. Cameron stayed active on the glass, scoring off a put-back, while Rock calmly converted at the free-throw line. Hopewell’s balanced scoring and physical play helped them take a 23–20 lead into halftime.
Hopewell came out of the locker room with energy, as Rock set up Shegog for another and-one before drilling a deep three of his own. Armstrong continued to dominate inside, scoring through contact and getting to the line, while Jack added a key layup late in the quarter. The game stayed tight throughout, but Hopewell edged ahead 38–37 heading into the final frame.
In a tense fourth quarter, Hopewell delivered when it mattered most. Shegog opened the scoring with a strong one-handed floater, and Cameron knocked down a jumper to keep the momentum going. Armstrong battled underneath for multiple tough baskets, and Rock came up with the play of the night, turning a steal into a clutch layup. Armstrong sealed it at the line, and Hopewell’s defense held strong in the final moments to secure the 51–49 win.
With contributions up and down the lineup and poise in the closing minutes, Hopewell showed grit and composure in a hard-earned victory that could serve as a momentum-builder moving forward.
One thing to keep in mind, is this team is starting five sophomores. Senior Nick Adams, who’s been a regular starter all season, has been out with a hand injury and he’s still recovering from it. Last night, Adams was able to contribute some minutes off the bench.
1ST QUARTER:
2-4 James Armstrong scores on a nice feed from Brody Rock
4-6 Justin Shegog makes 2 of 2 free throws
6-11 Armstrong scored on a take to the hoop
9-11 Rock splashes a three
10-11 Armstrong makes 1 of 2 free throws
End of 1st Quarter: Avonworth 11 Hopewell 10
2ND QUARTER:
12-11 Shegog scores on a nice inbounds pass plus the foul
13-11 Shegog makes 1 of 1 free throw
15-14 Tre Cameron takes the base line for a floater plus the foul
16-14 Cameron makes 1 of 1 free throw
18-14 Shegog gets two plus the foul with a nice take to the basket
19-20 Armstrong makes 1 of 2 free throws
21-20 Rock makes 2 of 2 free throws
23-20 Cameron scores on a put-back floater
Halftime: Hopewell 23 Avonworth 20
3RD QUARTER:
25-22 Rock to Shegog for two plus the foul
28-24 Big three pointer for Rock
29-28 Armstrong makes 1 of 2 free throws
33-31 Armstrong takes it to the rim for two
34-33 Shegog makes 1 of 2 free throws
36-35 Armstrong goes in strong for a floater
38-37 Jack drives down the court for a layup
End of 3rd Quarter: Hopewell 38 Avonworth 37
4TH QUARTER:
40-37 Shegog goes in strong for the one-handed floater
42-40 Cameron hits a jumper from the line
44-46 A hook shot for Armstrong drops in for two
46-48 Armstrong works hard underneath to score off a put-back
48-48 Shegog hits a baseline jumper
50-49 Rock coverts a steal to a clutch layup
51-49 Armstrong makes 1 of 2 free throws
Avonworth was fouled with .06 seconds left and went to the free throw line with 2 shots to potentially tie the game. After missing the first one, the shooter intentionally missed the second one with the hopes of one of his teammates tipping it in for the tying basket. That didn’t work.
FINAL: HOPEWELLL 51 AVONWORTH 50
Points (Unofficial):
Armstrong: 16 points
Shegog: 14 points
Rock: 10 points
Cameron: 7 points
Biega: 2 points
Before the Varsity team played, the JV team played in another intense game. Although the final score may not show it, the boys fought hard, led by Avery Bokor who had a whopping 28 points.
1ST QUARTER
2-6 Avery Bokor takes it to the basket for a layup plus the foul
3-6 Bokor makes 1 of 1 free throw
5-8 Zack Sampson hits a nice floater
7-8 Bokor makes 2 of 2 free throws
10-8 A deep three slashes for Bokor
12-10 Bokor scores again on a take to the rim
14-10 Jayvion Lindsay gets two on a fast break layup after a steal
End of 1st Quarter Hopewell 16 Avonworth 15
2ND QUARTER
18-15 A floater drops for Lindsay
20-20 Lindsay turns a steal from Bokor into two points
22-21 Bokor hits an elbow jumper
Halftime: Avonworth 30 Hopewell 24
3RD QUARTER
25-30 Lindsay makes 1 of 2 free throws
26-36 Sampson makes 1 of 2 free throws
29-41 Bokor swishes another long three
32-45 A jump shot goes in for Sampson
34-50 Lindsay makes 2 of 2 free throws
36-50 Sampson scores off a put-back
 End of 3rd Quarter: Avonworth 50 Hopewell 36
4TH QUARTER
37-53 Lindsay makes 1 of 2 free throws
40-55 Bokor hits another three, his third of the night
42-55 Bokor turns a steal into a fast break layup
44-57 Bokor scores again with a two pointer
46-57 Another layup converts for Bokor
47-63 Bokor makes 1 of 2 free throws
49-65 Bokor gets a layup to fall plus the foul
50-65 Bokor makes 1 of 1 free throw
51-70 Lindsay makes 1 of 2 free throws
 Final: Avonworth 70 Hopewell 51
Points (Unofficial):
Bokor: 28 points
Lindsay: 11 points
Sampson: 7 points
The Vikings play in the Boys Hall of Fame Classic Tournament tomorrow, Saturday January 24 at North Hills High School at 12:30. Then they play at Beaver on Tuesday January 27. JV at 6:00, Varsity at 7:30.
