Hopedale’s girls basketball team saw a tight contest unravel in the fourth quarter, ultimately falling 51-27 to the South Colonels after a furious closing frame by the visitors. The game was close through three quarters, South led 29-24 after 24 minutes, but the Colonels outscored the Blue Raiders 22-3 in the fourth to pull away decisively.
Gianah Estevez keyed the Colonels’ finish with a 15-point, eight-rebound, four-steal night, and teammate Stefania Kyriazis added 14 points to provide consistent scoring. Hopedale received efforts from Phoebe Carroll (eight points) and Anna Fafard (five points), but the Blue Raiders could not match South’s bench scoring and late-game execution.
The loss drops Hopedale to 7-3, but the program’s trajectory remains strong overall. The Blue Raiders face a major test tonight at 6:30 p.m. when Millbury visits; the Woolies are 8-2 and will present a playoff-like environment and a tough defensive challenge. Hopedale will need to avoid fourth-quarter meltdowns, secure the glass, and convert transition chances to get back on track against a physical Millbury club.
