Doody, Neuqua advance past Oswego
Megan Doody is on a mission.
That is, to get back on her Neuqua Valley home floor for sectionals next week, where Bolingbrook will be waiting.
“That’s our goal is to win a regional,” said the Wildcats senior guard, “and then whatever happens, happens. It will be a good memory either way.”
Doody and No. 4 seed Neuqua cleared the first hurdle toward that destination Tuesday, her 20 points leading the Wildcats past No. 13 Oswego 57-44 at the Class 4A Oswego regional.
Neuqua (22-6) advances to play Metea Valley, a 52-45 winner over Naperville Central, in Friday’s championship game. The two teams split a pair of games during the regular season.
Doody’s points came at critical junctures Tuesday.
She scored on two coast-to-coast drives in the final 30 seconds of the first quarter to push Neuqua ahead 17-12. At the end of the first half, she knocked down a 3-pointer, stole the ball in Oswego’s backcourt and scored for a 33-21 halftime lead. Then she hit all 4 of her fourth-quarter free-throw attempts to keep Oswego at arm’s length.
“Megan is focused right now,” Neuqua coach Mike Williams said. “She’s a kid on a mission.”
Neuqua knew it wasn’t in for a picnic of a first-round regional game. The Wildcats beat Oswego 62-35 back in December, but that game was close for three quarters and the Panthers were playing without Paige Harmon.
Harmon, Oswego’s best player and only senior, missed all but the last handful of regular-season games with a broken foot. She was a factor Tuesday with 18 points.
The Panthers (12-17), who play three freshmen and three sophomores, were hurt by 12 first-half turnovers. They never drew closer than 8 in the second half, but it never did get out of hand.
“We battled in the third quarter — I’m real proud of my girls,” Oswego coach Chad Pohlmann said. “One of our stories all year has been turnovers, and we had those 12 in the first half. You can’t do that in regionals.”
Neuqua held back injured Najee Smith, but Nikki Lazar returned from an ankle sprain. She made her presence felt to start the fourth quarter, diving on the floor for a steal at midcourt that led to a Doody basket and 46-36 lead.
Lazar also scored 6 points. Her scrap was just as welcome.
“I’ll take a kid who’s maybe not as talented but brings energy and hustle, and that’s Nikki,” Williams said. “We haven’t played that hard for four quarters for a while.”
Allison Hedrick added 10 points and 8 rebounds and Malia Smith displayed her improved offensive game with 12 points, knocking down a few jumpers and making 4 of 5 free throws.
“Malia has worked a lot on her jumper, as you can see,” Doody said. “It’s nice that we can rely on her to hit those shots.”