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Sports

Riverwood Senior Mallory Hope Raises the Bar on Athletics and Academics

Student-athlete attains high scholarly marks while competing on the diamond and hardwood.

If Riverwood senior Mallory Hope’s mission was to excel as both a student and an athlete, she succeeded.

After competing in basketball, softball and track during high school, Hope scored 2300 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, which garnered her a scholarship offer from the University of Georgia. She is also being considered for the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia. The award is given to students who exemplify the highest levels of leadership, scholarship and citizenship.

“I’m a competitor in everything,” Hope said. “I guess that’s what gets me through school.”

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This year, Hope scaled back to her favorite activities of playing softball and basketball. Last fall, she played catcher with the softball squad. They finished the season at 17-16-1, and second place in Region 5-AAA at 8-3.

After softball, Hope shifted to basketball playing shooting guard in the backcourt for the Raiders. This past season, Riverwood went 15-11 and 7-5 in league play.

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In the Region 5-AAA Tournament, they earned a first-round victory following a 31-22 win over Cedar Grove. However, the team was eliminated in the next round when they lost to Columbia.

“I guess I enjoy the raw emotion of the game. Where else can you get on the court with ten people and scream, cheer and get angry,” Hope said.

During her senior season, Hope averaged 4.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

“Mallory is one of the most considerate people I have ever had the privilege of coaching,” said Riverwood basketball coach Jeff Holloway. “She is a winner. She works hard, plays hard and always wants what is best for the team. No matter what it takes, she is willing to make the sacrifices to ensure her teammates’ success.”

Hope credits her parents for instilling her drive for success, which carries over to her younger siblings.

During summers, she works as a counselor and equestrian trainer at Westminster Presbyterian’s Camp.

“I definitely try to set a good example for my younger brothers,” she said. “I try to be a good friend. I guess it really comes out at the camp that I work at. I get to take more of a role in mentoring younger girls and working with them through horses.”

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