Hopkins and NorthPointe Christian will meet at the Hopkins gym Wednesday night in a makeup girls’ basketball contest that likely will decide this year’s O-K Silver Conference champion.
The Lady Vikings took a big step toward repeating as league champs Monday in the first of two makups by coming up with a huge 53-47 victory on the Mustangs’ floor. The verdict left both teams with 7-1 records in Silver play, with just two games remaining.
Hopkins will close out the league season Friday at Belding, an opponent it dispatched handily earlier this month. So if coach John Robinson’s crew can get it done Wednesday at home, its prospects of back-to-back Silver titles are nothing short of excellent.
The Lady Vikings have come a long way since their 1-4 start before the holiday break. They were clobbered by undefeated powerhouse Hamilton 74-47 before proceeding to win nine of their next 10 contests, stumbling only once in a 42-34 loss to Kelloggsville.
Until Monday night, NorthPointe was undefeated in league play. The Mustangs took an early lead, but Hopkins came alive late in the first period and took command of 10-point advantage at intermission. NorthPointe made a strong rally in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Vikings were able to fight off the late heroics.
Perhaps the secret of the rise of Hopkins’ fortunes since the Christmas break has been the play of the Sebrights, Samantha and Olivia. Samantha was top scorer with 16 points Monday. Senior point guard Kennedy Helderop, whose success surprises no one, added 14 points and Olivia had nine.
The Lady Vikings now are 10-5 overall. After taking on NorthPointe Wednesday and Belding Friday, they will play two non-conference games next week, at home against West Catholic and on the road vs. Covenant Christian before starting the district tournament at Hudsonville Unity Christian. Unfortunately, Hamilton is one of the teams in that Class B tourney.
COVER PHOTO: Sam Sebright (21) scored 16 points in the Lady Vikings’ win over NorthPointe Christian.
