Hopewell Boys HS Basketball

Vikings Sports Now wanted to make high school boys in our area aware of some basketball news.

Starting next week, there will be open gym sessions available at Hopewell High School. It’s important to note that this will be only for boys entering grades 9th thru 12th grade.

The Hopewell junior high staff is working on scheduling open gym availabilities and will announce those dates and times once they’re finalized.

Here are the high school availabilities for next week-
Monday (May 19th): High School from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Tuesday (May 20th): High School from 5:00-6:00 PM.
*Followed by a parent/booster meeting in Room 103 at the High School starting at 6:30 PM.

Wednesday (May 21st): High School from 4:00-6:00 PM.

 Thursday (May 22nd): High School from 5:00-6:00 PM.

In terms of what will be happening at these open gym sessions, Coach Biega tells Vikings Sports Now that the first hour of every open gym will be fundamental work and conditioning. The second hour will be open play.

Entering their latest game against Central Valley, although it was narrow, the Hopewell Boys HS basketball team still had a path to qualify for the WPIAL Playoffs.

However, following a 75-40 loss, the playoffs are no longer a possibility. It’s hard to believe but the Boys HS basketball team hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since 2009-10.

The story for the 2024-25 season could probably best be summed up by being in the game till late in the 3rd quarter and sometimes into the 4th but letting it slip away late.

It’s disappointing for the seniors like Zach Kovell, Zach Gigliotti, Thomas Pipkins, Mike Brown and Aaron Dickhart that they couldn’t achieve their goal of playing on the big stage of the WPIAL Playoffs.

Next year will be interesting as the team will need to replace the point production and leadership of guys like Kovell and Gigliotti.

Junior Nick Adams will return but the immediate future of the program will be in the hands of freshman James Armstrong, Brody Rock, Jack Biega, Tre Cameron, Avery Bokor and Jayvion Lindsey.

Armstrong, Rock and Biega received considerable time this season which will be valuable. In fact, in the last game against CV, Biega received his first career varsity start.

The Vikings are now 8-12 overall and 2-7 in conference play. The 2024-25 season comes to an end on Friday as the Vikings host Ambridge.

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.

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.