Neuqua Valley 62, St. Charles East 45
Neuqua Valley's boys basketball team gave St. Charles East a lesson in why the Wildcats are one of the favorites to win this year's Upstate Eight Conference title -- a lesson in defensive intensity.
The Wildcats forced 17 second-half turnovers and 30 for the game in their 62-45 win in St. Charles on the opening night of UEC play.
"Give all the credit to Neuqua Valley," St. Charles East coach Brian Clodi said. "We saw how hard they play, we've got to match their intensity.
"They are picked to win our conference. They played a great second half. They are going to be a great team."
Neuqua Valley (4-2, 1-0) built a 25-14 lead in the second quarter. The Saints (1-4, 0-1) made 6 straight free throws in the final three minutes to pull within 25-22 at halftime.
That was the last time the outcome was in doubt. The Wildcats scored the first seven points of the third quarter to go ahead 32-22.
The Saints made just 2 field goals in the third quarter, turned the ball over 11 times, watched the Wildcats take three charges, and twice gave up offensive rebounds on missed Neuqua Valley free throws that led directly to 5 more points.
When Brad Keeler drained a 3-pointer to end the third quarter, the Wildcats' lead stood at 48-30. They added the first 8 points of the fourth quarter to go ahead 56-30, a 31-8 run to start the second half.
"I thought our defense went to the next level in the third quarter which in turn helped our offense considerably," Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton said. "I just thought our defense was outstanding."
In addition to their 30 turnovers, the Saints shot 33 percent from the field (14 of 42). Neuqua Valley was a little worse at 32.3 (22 of 68) but took 26 more shots thanks to all the Saints turnovers.
"We were working hard," Neuqua Valley junior Derek Raridon said. "Thirty turnovers is great for us. We were trying to get after it."
Raridon, the MVP of the York tournament, led all scorers with 18 points including four 3-pointers.
"I had a lot of open looks at the basket," said Raridon, who hit 4 of his 6 three-poniters. "Fortunately most of them went in."
"He's a very smart player, the son of a coach," Sutton said.
Christian Shonkwiler got a start for Neuqua Valley and drew three charges. Sixth man Dan Pawelski scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Keeler and Steve Waeghe both finished with 8 points off the bench, as the Neuqua reserves outscored their starters 32-30.
"We talked to them all week, about what a hostile environment this was for us, it's always a tough road game for us," Sutton said. "Anytime you can sneak out a conference game on the road you'll take it."
Kevin Senechalle was the only Saint in double figures with 10 points. Jake Krzeczowski added 8 points, Phil Kohlhagen 6 and Jordan Fisher 5.
"It comes down to a 16-minute war and they forced 17 turnovers, all at crucial times leading to transition buckets," Clodi said of the Saints' poor second half. "We've got to get tougher."