Neuqua Valley routs Bolingbrook

Almost scary, the ease with which Neuqua Valley dispatched a good Bolingbrook basketball team.

Trailing the familiar nonconference visitors after one quarter, the host Wildcats outscored Bolingbrook 46-17 over the second and third quarters to win 74-48 in Naperville.

"You know, the proximity is so close to us, it's really good to have a win over them," said Neuqua Valley senior forward Dwayne Evans, who tallied game highs in points and rebounds with 20 and 15, respectively.

"I think they're a top-25 team," Evans said. "They have Antione Cox, Devon Hodges, all those guys I know."

If the Raiders are top-25 material, what does that make 6-0 Neuqua Valley, he was asked.

"Hopefully, a state contender," Evans said.

Along with highly skilled players like Evans and center Kareem Amedu, who scored 12 points on Tuesday, one aspect that made Neuqua a state contender last season was the deepest bench in program history.

This year's batch isn't yet to that level, but Todd Sutton was impressed with their development against Bolingbrook (4-2).

"I think you can credit them for our comeback," Sutton said. "We were down 16-12 (after the first quarter), Kareem with 2 fouls, Rahjan (Muhammad) with 2 fouls. Sean Pyritz comes in, Jim Stocki comes in, Alex Karkazis comes in, and we got a great spark.

"Our offense just was executing to perfection. We struggled the first quarter, weren't in sync at all, and these guys made a run, made it happen."

Stocki scored 7 points in an 11-1 run that put the Wildcats ahead for good, 23-17 with 4:03 left in the second quarter.

The 6-foot-4 junior forward canned two 3-point shots from the identical spot at the right elbow, and added a free throw.

"My teammates just got me the ball in a good spot," Stocki said. "I've liked that spot since freshman year."

Neuqua Valley led Bolingbrook 35-23 at halftime and Evans kept the pace, heading a 58-33 lead after three quarters. Kyle Pembrook added 11 points and Sam Johnson 9 for the Wildcats. Delorean Weatherall led Bolingbrook with 13.

Bolingbrook lacked starting point guard Ryan Walker due to sickness, but that didn't make much difference to Raiders coach Rob Brost, none too pleased with Neuqua's 12-4 first-half edge in offensive rebounds.

"Obviously, he would have helped, but you've got to give Neuqua all the credit, and Coach Sutton. They were ready to go."