Fenwick’s Bryce Hopkins shrugs off Westinghouse’s physical attack, scores 44

Westinghouse went at Fenwick junior Bryce Hopkins with everything it had on Tuesday in Oak Park. The Warriors were extremely physical with the 6-6 Louisville recruit, putting a body on or into him every time he touched the ball.

Hopkins tore right through them all. He has a very rare combination of size and athleticism for a high school player. In the end, there was nothing Westinghouse could do to stop him.

Hopkins scored a career-high 44 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the No. 17 Friars to an 87-74 win over the No. 19 Warriors.

“I was expecting it,” Hopkins said. “They are a city team, and they were pretty physical with us last year. I knew what was coming heading into the game. I just let them do whatever they have to do, and I stay level-headed and let my game do the talking.”

After the game, it was Fenwick fans doing the talking. Most don’t think Friars legend Corey Maggette ever scored 44 points. Hopkins still has almost two full seasons left to top it.

“I might be able to,” Hopkins said. “We will see. I’ve been working on my body during the offseason and really slimmed down. I’ll keep improving.”

There were 73 free throws in the game, and Westinghouse picked up three technical fouls.

“I knew they were undersized so they would try to be physical,” Fenwick coach Staunton Peck said. “Bryce is a smart player. He’s really hard to guard. He has perimeter skills if they put a big guy on him, and if they put a guard on him he can take it inside.”

The Friars (2-0) led by 12 midway through the third quarter. Westinghouse senior Devin Davis, one of the area’s best shooters, came alive at that point. He scored 14 points in a quick burst. The Warriors tied the game at 59 late in the third quarter.

“We had to lock in on defense, face guard [Davis] and limit his touches,” Hopkins said. “He’s a great player.”

Davis finished with 33 points and junior Dwayne Walton added nine for the Warriors (0-2).

Fenwick sophomore Trey Pettigrew scored 22 points. He started all of last season as a freshman.

“Pettigrew’s game and body has completely changed,” Peck said. “His shot is better and his composure.”

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Sophomore Gabe Madej added 10 points for Fenwick, which has only two seniors on the roster.

“We have a lot of young guys, and they are making mistakes, but it is their second varsity game,” Peck said. “Our goals are to win the conference, win the sectional. I don’t think youth can be an excuse. At the beginning of the year it can be hard, though. We have high expectations. We think we should win every game.”

Hopkins is becoming one of the area’s star attractions. Dropping 44 points on a Public League team will only increase his reputation. Hopkins says he is ready to handle all the attention and thinks he eventually will top the 44.

“Last year [Hopkins] was good, and this year he’s even better,” Peck said. “He’s slimmed down, he’s confident, and he’s playing with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder.”