The high school boys’ basketball team might not be the only team from Hopewell participating in the upcoming WPIAL basketball tournament.
Despite many obstacles such as injuries and a very sparce roster, the girls’ basketball team has a path in which they can qualify for the playoffs. That became a lot more realistic following their upset win last night over Lincoln Park.
The scenario is pretty simple- if Hopewell is able to win their final two games, they will qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.
In their biggest game of the season, the Lady Vikings will travel tonight to take on Central Valley.
The fact that they had to play the entire season without their leading scorer from the last two seasons Caylee Sundy, who just return last week, and also missing two other important pieces from last season and still have a chance at the playoffs is incredible.
However, it speaks to the fight and character of the girls on the roster- Allison Ramaley, Avery Boyd, Ava Ray, Addson Blosnick, Cici Smetana, Abbey Kovell and Lily Enders.
While this season and the way it played out certainly hasn’t been ideal, this group of girls still have a chance of reaching the goal of making the playoffs.
Following last night’s game, Vikings Sports Now spoke with Hopewell Girls HC Jeff Homziak about the situation his team is in.
“It’s been a slow, tough grind to get this group to buy in,” said Homziak. “Without Caylee, it was certainly a bumpy start along with trying to get the girls to understand the amount of energy you need to spend at every practice and in every game.”
“A big thing for us lately has been our defense and it’s something we’ve really focused on the last couple of weeks. We said to the girls, we have to go into every game with the focus on boxing out, going after every rebound and just out working teams. To their credit the girls have done that.”
While the defense has improved and given the Lady Vikings a chance to be in games, so has the return of Sundy, their point guard and their on-court leader the last couple of years. Not having her virtually the entire season has obvious impacted their offense and also forced a lot of young players on the roster into roles they weren’t used to.
Hopewell’s Caylee Sundy
The good news is that these players were able to gain valuable on-court experience and now as the season winds down, Sundy is back.
“I think it’s been a weight off a lot of these girls’ shoulders,” said Homziak. “Girls were forced to play out of position as Caylee was our main ball handler. However, freshman Ava Ray got to play a lot, and she’s been in the game handling the ball. Obviously, Avery Boyd probably our most seasoned returning starter who can score has had to handle the ball more and all the other kids, Cici Smetana, Addison Blosnick and Allison Ramaley, our other senior who’s like our glue player. Allison is a tough kid, she never complains and gives you everything she has each and every game.”
Hopewell’s Allison Ramaley
“That’s all I ever ask of these girls. Fortunately, they’ve gotten through the rough waters, now that Cayle is back, not that they can relax but I think they can play a little more freely.”
Following a 6-point loss to Beaver last week, Hopewell had no margin for error and that’s what Homziak relayed to his team. They had 3 section games remaining and needed to win each of them to become playoff eligible. They got off to a good start last night, but it needs to continue tonight against a talented Central Valley program.
“So, I said to them after the game on Sunday, look Wedneday’s it, it’s put up or shut up,” said Homziak. “It’s one game at a time and let’s take care of Wednesday. It was Senior Night tonight, honoring Allie and Caylee, and I told them to play for them tonight. Anytime it’s Senior Night on your home court, you play for those seniors and leave it all on the floor and that’s what they did.”
“After the game, I told them, we have a quick turnaround, celebrate tonight but tomorrow is all business. Just because we beat them (Central Valley) the first time means nothing and doesn’t guarantee a win tonight. We need to be focused and do what we have to do to win.”
