Hopedale’s boys basketball squad closed out the pre-break slate with a dramatic overtime win, outlasting Monomoy after a back-and-forth affair that required extra time. The Blue Raiders led 26-21 at halftime, but Monomoy rallied in the third to push the game into overtime with an 18-12 frame. In the extra quarter, Hopedale outscored the Sharks 8-2 to secure the victory.
Keagan Murphy delivered a showing for the stat sheet: nine points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and five steals, a rare and complete impact across every facet of the game. Nate Rutkowski paced the offense with 15 points, while J.J. Douglas added 12 to help seal the result. Hopedale’s balanced attack and defensive league of disruptions in OT made the difference when possessions mattered most.
The win improved Hopedale to a perfect 3-0 on the young season and served as the program’s final game before the holiday break. The Blue Raiders will return to action on Monday, January 5, when they host Northbridge. The Rams enter the matchup with a 1-2 mark and three midweek games before facing Hopedale, setting up a reunion against a team that will be rested and riding momentum from a statement win.
