Mike Vukovcan Something new implemented this season by new Hopewell Boys HS Basketball Coach Doug Biega and that’s getting players involved in summer league competition.
Not only are the high school players competing but so are the boys’ junior high players.
As I’ve written many times, the only way to have a successful program is to players at all ages getting developed so that you can have waves of players to step in due to graduation and injuries.
That’s finally being done with Hopewell boys’ basketball. Coach Biega has hired two talented coaches and more importantly teachers to run the Vikings Junior High program: Patrick Phillips and BJ McBryde.
Over the weekend, the 7th and 8th boys were involved in summer league competition.
Here’s a general assessment of how things went.
Weekend Recap: Building Through Battle
7th Grade-
This weekend, Hopewell took on two tough opponents in back-to-back matchups — Blackhawk and Central Valley. While the results didn’t land in our favor, the effort, resilience, and improvement on display were a true reflection of who Hopewell is becoming as a team.
Game 1 vs. Blackhawk started with high energy and determination. Blackhawk came out strong, but the Vikings stayed composed and locked in.
Despite falling behind early, they never lost focus. Defensive pressure picked up, offensive possessions became more disciplined, and the bench stayed active and supportive throughout. The second half showed real progress — better spacing, smarter passes, and tougher defense. Though Hopewell fell short in the final score, they took a big step forward as a unit.
Game 2 vs. Central Valley picked up right where they first left off. Facing a tough opponent, Hopewell was tested in every way. But instead of backing down, the players rose to the challenge. Rebounding improved, ball movement became more fluid, and energy from the bench kept everyone engaged. The second half was their best stretch of the day—highlighted by smarter decisions, tighter defense, and fearless play. Hopewell battled until the last buzzer, showing exactly what it means to compete with pride.
“While both games ended in losses, what we gained in effort, growth, and team spirit was far more meaningful,” said Coach Phillips. “This group is learning how to fight, how to bounce back, and how to keep growing. We’re proud of the progress and even more excited for what’s next.”
8th Grade
Hopewell took the court for two games this weekend, and the result were exactly what they’ve been building toward — back-to-back wins fueled by grit, focus, and a team-first mentality.
Game 1 vs. Beaver tested their toughness early. Hopewell came out flat, struggled to find rhythm, and fell behind in the opening stretch. But the response was everything. The team regrouped, locked in on defense, and started chipping away at the deficit. As the game went on, their energy ramped up and so did the execution — smarter ball movement, more aggressive drives, and timely stops. By the fourth quarter, Hopewell flipped the momentum and pulled out a hard-earned comeback win.
Game 2 vs. Moon followed a similar script early, but this time the Vikings managed to hold the lead even as they worked through a slow start. Hopewell went into halftime up, and the second half was some of their best basketball to date. The ball moved with purpose, everyone contributed, and they closed the game with poise and intensity. It was a complete team win from top to bottom.
“Two games, two different challenges — and we handled both. Proud of the way this group continues to grow, adjust, and rise to the occasion,” said Coach Phillips.
