Shatori Walker-Kimbrough Shines Bright With 35 As Hopewell Claims WPIAL Gold

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, March 3, 2012 | 9:00 PM

The Hopewell Vikings got 35 points and 11 rebounds from junior Shatori Walker-Kimbrough as the Vikings notched their third WPIAL Class AAA girls championship, defeating the South Park Eagles 50-34 on Saturday night at the A.J. Palumbo Center.

Hopewell outscored South Park 20-5 in the final quarter to claim the win, the Vikings were 15 of 17 in the period at the free throw line and forced six turnovers in that stanza. Hopewell only had 10 field goals in the game, eight of those coming from Walker-Kimbrough.

The first quarter was Walker-Kimbrough versus Ashley Mikelonis of South Park, as both of those players had all of their teams points in the stanza, Hopewell with a 9-7 advantage. The Vikings pulled away in the second, as Walker-Kimbrough continued to score, going 8 of 8 from the line in the quarter, she was 16 of 16 from the stripe in the game. But three pointers from Amanda Quinn and Mikelonis tied the game at 19 late, but Walker-Kimbrough hit a jumper from the right elbow to give the Vikings a 2 point advantage at the break.

South Park had three chances to tie or take the lead late in the third and into the opening minute of the fourth, but turned the ball over twice and Mikelonis missed a three pointer that started the downward side for the Eagles.

Walker-Kimbrough’s line was 8 of 17 from the field including 3 three pointers, 16 of 16 from the line, 11 rebounds, 4 blocked shots and 3 steals. Coach Jeff Homziak said that her work ethic has improved so much going into this season, that she has the desire to put the team on her back and not to lose.

Hopewell went 27 of 30 from the foul line in the game, Homziak said his team’s confidence started to build after a play-in round win last year over Lewistown in the PIAA, then followed by an overtime loss to Mercyhurst Prep in the first round. The Vikings shot 10 of 33 including 3 of 6 behind the arc and only committed six turnovers.

South Park was led by Mikelonis with 15 points, including four three pointers. The Eagles were 11 of 47 from the field, 6 of 20 from behind the arc, they committed 14 turnovers.

With Hopewell’s championship, it is the fourth consecutive season that a team from Section 2 has claimed gold, New Castle in 2009-10 and Blackhawk last season. Homziak said it is a testament to the coaches and talented players to have so much success.

Hopewell is 24-2 and will meet the District 10 third place team in the first round of the PIAA playoffs next Saturday. South Park falls to 22-3 and takes on the District 6 champion on Saturday in state play.

Tags: Hopewell