Basketball Game Preview: Hopewell Blue Devils vs. Cristo Rey Royals

The Hopewell Blue Devils and the Cristo Rey Royals will round out the year against one another at at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The timing is sure in Hopewell's favor as the squad sits on 11 straight wins at home (dating back to last season) while Cristo Rey has been banged up by seven consecutive losses on the road also dating back to last season.

Last Saturday, Hopewell got the win against Massaponax by a conclusive 73-53. The Blue Devils have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won seven contests by 20 points or more this season.

Hopewell's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Deshawn Spellman, who went 8 for 13 on his way to 20 points and five assists. The matchup was Spellman's eighth in a row with at least ten points. Nick Byrd was another key player, going 6 of 9 on his way to 19 points and five assists.

Meanwhile, Cristo Rey didn't have quite enough to beat Banner Christian on Thursday and fell 59-57.

Hopewell will need focus on slowing down Jemell Smith, one of several Cristo Rey players who made an impact when they last played. He posted 17 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Jab Scott, who put up 16 points.

Cristo Rey's defeat dropped their record down to 0-9. As for Hopewell, their win bumped their record up to 7-1.