Hopewell’s Branagh to cap career with one last state run

As the state tournament rolls around every high school senior is filled with the anxiousness of that one final tournament memory.

Peyton Branagh has had an amazing career at Hopewell Valley, and along with the anxiety comes a bundle of confidence in her game and in her teammates.

The Bulldogs will be playing in South Jersey Group II along with possibly some other Colonial Valley Conference teams: Allentown, Robbinsville and Lawrence.

It is expected that the topthree seeds in the SJ II bracket will be Rumson-Fair Haven (13-2), Manasquan (12-5) and Allentown (12-5).

The state will use the Laxnumbers ratings to determine the seeds for the tournament.

Hopewell Valley is 8-6 and has been playing some of its best lacrosse having won four of the last six.

“After having a strong two weeks of games, I anticipate a successful state run from my team,’’ said Branagh. “We came up with a key win against Notre Dame.’’

The ND win was a signature one as it ended a fouryear drought since they last defeated the Irish.

Branagh has certainly done her part all season.

The senior has 68 goals this season, including nine in the battle of Hopewell Township when the Bulldogs doubled-up Pennington, 16-8.

Branagh has 11 assists and 123 draw controls on the season and it adds up to a pretty good season.

The career is even better though.

She has tallied 183 goals in her three years and provided 47 assists for 230 career points.

Another bright spot for Hopewell Valley has been Taina Harkins with 29 goals and a team-high 33 assists. Anderson Cappucci brings 27 goals to the state tournament.

“The chemistry of our team has skyrocketed,’’ said Branagh. “It is obvious that the team has really grown since our season opener against Allentown and I know we can now take down some of the stronger teams we will face in states.’’

The Bulldogs are projected to be around a seventh seed and will host at least in the first round. They could very well have a rematch against Allentown, who they lost to in the season opener in the second or third round.

Branagh broke in as a freshman with the likes of Maddie Schrader, Kileigh Pfluger and Carly Sison, and she had four goals in the two Bulldogs state games in 2019.

After Covid eliminated the 2020 state tourney, Branagh poured in seven goals in 2021 against Wall and she had a pair of goals in the loss to perennial state title contender Rumson-Fair Haven.

“I am looking forward to contribute,’’ declared Branagh. “We are all looking to show our full potential.”

Branagh has certainly shown her potential over these past three seasons and it has been a remarkable career.