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Hopkins Varsity Boys Basketball Wins Thriller Over Masters on Buzzer-Beater
The Hopkins School varsity boys basketball team delivered a thrilling 48–45 victory over The Masters School last night, capped by a dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer by Gray Hinkle that sealed the win.
The tightly contested matchup was a showcase of poise, toughness, and growth, as Hopkins found ways to respond to every challenge and execute when it mattered most.
Zion Robinson anchored the Hilltoppers with a dominant all-around performance, leading the team in points, rebounds, and blocked shots. Zion’s consistency finishing at the rim, his confident mid-range and three-point shooting, and his overall playmaking highlighted not only his individual potential but also the evolving strength of the Hopkins team.
With the game hanging in the balance late, David Blair delivered in a huge way, drilling two consecutive three-pointers in the final two minutes to pull Hopkins even and set the stage for the dramatic finish.
At the point guard position, Gabe Ciminiello provided steady leadership under enormous pressure. His composure, decision-making, and playmaking continue to improve every day, giving the Hilltoppers a reliable presence at the helm in critical moments.
Dominic Dawson contributed on both ends of the floor with strong defense and timely scoring from the mid-range and beyond the arc. Lucas Downes brought leadership, strength, athleticism, and energy throughout the game.
Off the bench, Sean Iheanacho provided a major spark with relentless defense, jumping into passing lanes and smothering ball handlers. Kingstan Scannell and Daniel Wash also delivered important minutes, giving the Hilltoppers valuable support and energy when it mattered.
With 5.5 seconds remaining and the score tied, the Hilltoppers called timeout to set up one final play. During the huddle, Head Coach Dennis Kelly asked, “Who wants to be a hero?” Both Gray Hinkle and David Blair raised their hands.
Knowing Blair had just hit two straight three-pointers, Hopkins used him as a decoy. The play was designed for Blair to set the screen and fade to the opposite wing, drawing the defense, while Hinkle came to the ball off the pass. The execution was flawless — and Gray buried the game-winning three as the buzzer sounded.
Head Coach Dennis Kelly praised the group’s composure and execution. “That was a big-time team win,” Kelly said. “We trusted our guys, executed the play exactly the way we drew it up, and Gray had the confidence to take — and make — the biggest shot of the game. Zion was dominant all night, David gave us huge momentum, and this group is learning how to compete together.”
The win marks another strong step forward for the Hopkins program as the Hilltoppers continue to grow in confidence, chemistry, and late-game execution.
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
Hopkins School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.