vikingssportsn AMBRIDGE– Hopewell made the short trip to Ambridge to take on the Bridgers in an important section game for both teams.
Hopewell entered the game on a 2-game winning streak and more importantly, pick up their second section win of the season against a team they’re competing against for the last spot.
Early on, it looked as though it was going to be a long night for the Vikings as Ambridge jumped out to a 17-2 lead as Jared Astorino and Shaquille West combined for 14 points.
That’s when Hopewell HC Doug Biega called a timeout and made a defensive change putting Justin Shegog on Astorino and Jack Biega on West.
Things changed for the next 3+ quarters and thanks to the lights out shooting of sophomore Brody Rock combined with the pace in which Hopewell played, allowed them to run away with this game.
1ST QUARTER:
-Ambridge starts off hot with senior Jared Astorino making three straight 3s to give the Bridgers the early lead.
-Nick Adams would get Hopewell on the board first when he finishes a layup with an assist from Tre Cameron.
-Later in the quarter following a timeout, Rock forced an Ambridge turnover, and he then got it to Adams, who was fouled shooting. Adams goes on to make both free throws.
-Rock then makes his first basket of the night with an assist from James Armstrong.
-Hopewell then converts their first 3 of the night when Jeremy Benninghoff grabs an offensive rebound, then passes to Rock who knocks down the shot. Hopewell trailed by just 8.
-Rock drives to the hoops and converts another shot, assist from Armstrong.
-Following an Ambridge 3, Shegog hits a shot to take the Bridgers lead down to just 4.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: AMBRIDGE 26 HOPEWELL 19
2ND QUARTER:
-Shegog and Armstrong both grab offensive rebounds during a possession and eventually leads to a basket from Armstrong.
-Rock with another strong drive to the basket for 2.
-Armstrong with another offensive rebound and basket.
-Shegog grabs a defensive rebound, finds Cameron who then passes it to Rock for 2 points.
-Rock then comes up with a steal, drives for a layup and is fouled but makes it along with a free throw to give Hopewell the lead 30-28.
-After Ambridge tied the game up, Hopewell retook the lead on a hoop from Benninghoff, Hopewell 32-30.
-Right before the half, Ambridge hit another 3 pointer, but Hopewell grabbed the lead going into the half on hoops from Armstrong and Rock.
HALFTIME: HOPEWELL 36 AMBRIDGE 35
3RD QUARTER:
-Armstrong and Shegog open up the quarter with several baskets, Armstrong with 6 points and Shegog with 8 points to give Hopewell a 50-42 lead.
-After making 2 free throws, Rock adds a floater down the lane.
-Adams with offensive rebound, goes back up and is fouled shooting and makes both free throws.
-Rock and Benninghoff add a basket each to give Hopewell a 62-44 lead.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: HOPEWELL 63 AMBRIDGE 51
4TH QUARTER:
-Shegog starts the quarter with a quick layup but Ambridge then got the lead down to 10 points.
-Benninghoff then pulls down an offensive rebound and a layup.
-It then turned into the Brody Rock show, who got fouled shooting but makes both free throws.
-Rock with a shot in the paint.
-Benninghoff with a steal and takes it to the paint for a layup.
-Rock converts another layup.
-Rock with a steal and converts that into a layup.
-Rock with another steal and another basket.
-Leading by 20 points, Cameron draws a foul and makes both free throws.
-Biega with a steal and then with a nice assist to Rock for another 2.
-Benninghoff is fouled on an attempted layup and makes both free throws.
-Avery Bokor enters the game and converts a shot under the hoop on an assist from Riley Biggins.
-Zack Sampson then ends the game with a jumper.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 93 AMBRIDGE 66
HOPEWELL BOXSCORE-
BRODY ROCK 36
JUSTIN SHEGOG 16
JAMES ARMSTRONG 15
JEREMY BENNINGHOFF 13
NICK ADAMS 6
TRE CAMERON 2
ZACK SAMPSON 2
AVERY BOKOR 2
JACK BIEGA 1
With the win, Hopewell improves to 7-6 and 2-3 in the section.
Hopewell will have 3 consecutive non-section games beginning tonight against a very good Mohawk team.
The Vikings next section game will come at home against Avonworth on Friday, January 23.
