Mike Vukovcan While Zach Kovell’s special milestone was no doubt a headline to the evening, the Hopewell boys’ basketball teams’ main goal last night was to come away with a win over Freedom.
That was accomplished in relatively easy fashion as the Vikings were able come away with a 66-34 victory. With the win, Hopewell (6-9) has now won two games in a row as they look to make a second half charge to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.
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Hopewell’s balanced scoring along with their air-tight defense were big keys to their win.
1st Quarter Recap-
*While everyone was looking for Kovell to score the first points of the game to get over the 1,000-point milestone, the first points were scored by fellow senior guard Zach Gigliotti on a 3-pointer from the top of the key, Hopewell 3-0.
*After that, senior Thomas Pipkins III scored the next 4 points before Kovell made history.
*For the rest of the evening, Hopewell was able to attack Freedom either with the production from their guards or by getting the ball down low to freshman James Armstrong, who the Bulldogs weren’t able to match up with.
*On this set, Pipkins with a nice back screen look to Gigliotti, who converts the layup, Hopewell 12-2.
*Kovell with a missed 3-pointer but Pipkins gets the rebound and gives a quick touch pass down to Armstrong, who finishes, Hopewell 16-6.
*At the first quarter buzzer, Mike Brown is able to get near the hoop and tip a shot in.
End of 1st Quarter- Hopewell 16 Freedom 6.
2nd Quarter Recap:
*Hopewell scores 4 straight points from the free throw line on 2 from Kovell, followed by a technical foul by the Freedom HC, which resulted in two more free throws for Kovell, Hopewell 20-8.
*With 3:46 left, Armstrong pulls down an offensive rebound and kicks it out to freshman Brody Rock, who hits a 3-pointer, Hopewell 23-12.
*Next possession, Armstrong with another offensive rebound and this time finds Kovell, who drains a 3, Hopewell 26-12.
*With 1:56 left, Rock uses his strength to drive the lane for a layup, Hopewell 29-14.
*Next trip, Hopewell calls a play to iso Armstrong on the block, the guard gets him the ball and he puts it in, Hopewell 31-14.
*Following a defensive rebound, the ball is passed up to Nick Adams who takes it all the way in for a layup, Hopewell 35-14.
*Then the last basket of the half comes from another 2 points from Armstrong down low, as he overpowers a Freedom defender.
Halftime- Hopewell 37 Freedom 14
3rd Quarter Recap:
*To start the 3rd quarter, more Armstrong down low as Pipkins hits him with a nice assist, Hopewell 39-14.
*Later in the quarter, Kovell knocks down another 3-pointer, Hopewell 45-14.
*More production from Pipkins as he gets two from the wing, Hopewell 47-14.
*Following a defensive rebound, Hopewell gets out on the break and Adams with a nice bounce pass to Pipkins for the layup, 49-14.
*Rock connects on another 3, as he makes a Blake Hinson type shot, Hopewell 52-14.
*Following a basket, Freedom attempts to trap Hopewell, but they easily break it and Tre Cameron with a nice assist to Avery Bokor for the layup, Hopewell 54-16.
*With :29 secs left in the quarter, Jack Biega dribbles into the lane and dishes off to Aaron Dickhart for the layup.
End of 3rd Quarter- Hopewell 57 Freedom 18
Hopewell goes on to score 9 points in the final quarter with a running block to pick up win No. 6 of the season.
The Vikings have the weekend off before returning to action on Tuesday as they’ll host Carlynton at Hopewell High School. Tipoff for the varsity game is set for 7:30 PM.
