Girls Basketball: Hopkins’ low-post play powers streaking Springfield

MIDDLETOWN >> Amanda Hopkins had reached double figures in scoring once in Springfield’s first eight games of the season. The senior forward and co-captain has the potential to cause havoc with her defense and low-post scoring ability.

“We’ve been working hard in practice with our inside-out game,” Hopkins said. “We have been focusing on that a lot and telling our teammates to pass it in the middle. Even if I’m not open, we can get great shots from the outside, too.”

Tuesday night, everything clicked for Hopkins, who matched a season high with 10 points as she helped Springfield to a 42-31 victory over Penncrest. Hopkins netted six points in the opening quarter by driving to the basket and using a quick post-up move.

“We want to get Amanda involved. She has a great (short-range) jumpshot and she can make those baskets,” Springfield coach Kylynn McNichol said. “She can get to the basket, and she’s been working hard at it in practice. She’s had a great start to her season.”

Hopkins faced off with Penncrest junior forward Grace Harding. As the Lions’ top scorer, alongside sophomore swing player Megan Arndt, Harding is a big target for any forward to try and defend. Hopkins held her own Tuesday.

“I’m one of the only posts on the team, and I know I have to get better at guarding the inside and everything else,” said Hopkins, who added three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

While Harding paced the Lions with 11 points, Hopkins played a role in limiting her to zero points in the second half.

“It was a great matchup for both of them tonight and I think Amanda did a nice job of defending her,” McNichol said. “We talked about it at halftime that Grace was having a great first half and we asked Amanda to shut her down in the second half.”

Springfield was the frontrunner the entire way. Buoyed by a pair of 3-point field goals from senior Maggie O’Connell, the Cougars (8-1 overall, 4-1 league) sprinted to an 8-0 lead. Harding and Arndt (nine points, four rebounds, one block) helped pull the Lions (7-2, 4-1) within five points midway through the second quarter, but back-to-back 3-pointers from Belle Mastropietro and Erika Biehl extended the Cougars’ lead to 11 points. Springfield opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run and opened a 15-point advantage after three quarters.

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