Neuqua Valley learned from 2008 super loss

Neuqua Valley is a repeat entry into the Class 4A supersectionals.

The Wildcats sure don't want to repeat last year's result tonight against Dundee-Crown.

On March 11, 2008, at the Chicago State University supersectional, Neuqua lost to eventual 4A champion Richards, 63-42.

What did the Wildcats learn from the experience?

"You've got to come ready to play," said Derek Raridon, who scored 5 points starting at forward as a junior against Richards.

"Last year we were just happy to be there and we didn't prepare ourselves for as intense a game as it was," Raridon said. "We weren't ready for even just the longer court. We weren't in shape. We know now we've got to play a lot faster and get up and down the floor."

Neuqua Valley clung within 15-13 of Richards after a quarter, when Richards started inching away with a 12-5 second-quarter run.

The 4A champs led 28-24 at halftime, then outscored Neuqua 35-18.

"When we faced adversity, like the second quarter, third quarter last year, the team just kind of fell apart," said forward Dwayne Evans, whose 12 points as a sophomore tied since-graduated Danny Pawelski for team honors.

"Everyone tried to do their own individual thing. This year we've got to work more collaboratively as a team and try to get the job done."

Neuqua center Kareem Amedu wasn't on last year's supersectional squad. He was a sophomore rooting for the varsity. From Amedu's vantage point, the team he saw against Richards "played very scared."

"I think with this team, we're definitely more confident in our play," Amedu said. "I don't know if it's because of the hype or the way we've been playing or because of our defense, but I think we're going to definitely be more prepared, more confident.

"Our pressure defense has been really good," Amedu said. "We're going to start on defense first before even thinking about scoring offensively."

Another thing. Richards was favored against Neuqua, a role the 31-1 Wildcats fill today against 23-5 Dundee-Crown. Yet Neuqua can't afford to play like a favorite.

"If you look past someone," Evans said, "that's pretty much ensuring a loss."