Neuqua Valley 56, Waubonsie Valley 51

This was one sequel that didn't leave the audience asking for more.

Neuqua Valley, down 10 in the fourth quarter, stormed back to stun District 204 rival Waubonsie Valley 56-51 in Wednesday's Class 4A East Aurora sectional semifinal.

Waubonsie Valley won boys basketball bragging rights in January on Jelani Johnson's buzzer-beater.

But it is Neuqua Valley now advancing to Friday's sectional final against Upstate Eight Conference foe Bartlett.

"They stole one from us during the season," Neuqua Valley senior Brad Keeler said of Waubonsie Valley, "and we just had to steal one right back."

Waubonsie Valley looked to have a firm grip on the game, leading 45-35 with 7:34 left after a Josh Daniels jumper.

But the Warriors would not make another basket from the field. Trailing 47-38, Neuqua Valley peeled off 12 unanswered points.

Dan Pawelski had 2 free throws and an inside basket in the run. After Pawelski blocked a Waubonsie Valley shot in the lane, Keeler buried a 3-pointer to give Neuqua Valley a 49-47 lead with 2:32 left.

Pawelski rejected another Waubonsie Valley attempt, and Keeler's free throw with 47.2 seconds left made it 50-47.

"We just laid it on them defensively," Pawelski said. "I think they had 47 points on the scoreboard for what seemed like a half an hour."

Four more Neuqua Valley free throws in the final minute finished it off.

"Neuqua got us on our heels in the fourth quarter and got after us," Waubonsie Valley coach Steve Weemer said, "and we didn't respond. Give Neuqua all the credit."

Waubonsie Valley (22-7) led 24-21 at the half, then really got cooking in the third quarter behind the hot hand of Justin Peaster.

The senior guard scored 12 of his 17 points in the quarter -- making all five of his shot attempts. His 3-pointer gave the Warriors a 41-32 lead with 2:13 left in the third.

"I was feeling it," Peaster said. "The guys were setting me up for some really good looks."

But in a key defensive maneuver, Neuqua Valley switched rugged senior T.J. Jordan onto Peaster down the stretch.

Peaster managed 2 free throws in the fourth quarter. Jordan, catalyst in the comeback, also dove to the floor twice to force tie-ups leading to Waubonsie Valley turnovers.

"Coach made the switch," Jordan said, "and I said to myself, '(Peaster) is their energy. For us to come back we have to eliminate their energy.' I didn't want to go home yet."

Peaster was one of three senior guards playing their final game for Waubonsie Valley on Wednesday. Kevin VandenBerg and Josh Daniels were also three-year varsity players.

"We became a close-knit group. Our senior year, we came together really well," Peaster said. "Nobody expected us to go as far as we did at the start of the season."

Pawelski scored 17 points and Keeler and Nolan Brown 7 each for Neuqua Valley (24-7).

The Wildcats, back in the sectional final for the third straight year, will go for one more crack at the school's first sectional championship.

"We definitely need to take advantage of this opportunity," Pawelski said.

"The atmosphere tonight, it was crazy. I thought playing Hinsdale Central in sectionals last year was crazy. But playing Waubonsie Valley, this was as good as it gets."