Boys basketball: Neuqua Valley shows its depth in lopsided win over Naperville Central
There will always be extra defensive attention on Neuqua Valley’s talented sophomore Cole Kelly, and Friday night at Naperville Central was no exception.
The Redhawks used a couple defensive schemes — including a box-and-one — to try and contain the Wildcats star, who recorded his first basket on a tip-in of his own miss at the end of the first quarter. But as many teams learned last year, Kelly can hurt you even when he’s not lighting up the scoreboard.
In this DuPage Valley Conference opener, Kelly was just as effective with his passing and his defense as Neuqua Valley pulled away for an easy 65-38 defeat of the Redhawks (2-3, 0-1).
Kelly did finish with 11 points including a left-handed slam dunk that gave the Wildcats (3-1, 1-0) a 38-18 lead at the half. But he also had 4 steals, a blocked shot and connected with numerous teammates cutting to the basket through a seam in the Redhawks defense.
“It was just cutting and figuring out the holes in their defense,” Kelly said, noting that his team went on a 17-0 run to break open what was just a 9-8 lead midway through the first quarter. “They were putting a box-and-one or a triangle-and-2 zone, and getting out in transition helped to not let them get in their defense.”
Redhawks coach Mike Wilson, who was impressed with Kelly’s court vision last year as a freshman, said it’s tough to defend a Wildcats team led by Kelly and sharpshooter Mason Martin, who led all scorers with 15 points on Friday.
“I suppose that’s the difference between having a couple D1 forwards and guards, you know that doesn’t hurt,” Wilson said of Neuqua’s two leaders. “But Coach [Todd] Sutton has them coached well. They know where they want their shots and when they want their shots. If your defense isn’t perfect against a Coach Sutton team, then you’re going to struggle. We had had some lapses but overall our effort was strong for 32 minutes.”
After Casey Cooperkawa scored on a drive to close to within 9-8, Naperville Central’s offense went cold and the Wildcats closed out the first quarter with 9 straight points and then completed the 17-0 charge in the second quarter.
Luke Balgro scored 6 of his 10 points in the second quarter and he also pulled in 8 rebounds. He was one of four Wildcats to score in double figures as he joined Martin, Kelly and Danny Mikuta.
“I feel like everyone just flows together as a team,” Kelly said. “We all just know our roles.
“When they draw two [defenders on me] I just continually find my teammates, and it just makes everything easier. As they make their shots and get their layups it takes the pressure off me and I get to play my game more.”
Martin tallied 12 of his points in the first half before adding his second 3-pointer in the third quarter and then taking a seat in the fourth quarter, which opened with the Wildcats on top 59-28.
“It feels super good with everyone contributing,” said Martin. “Our focus this week was defense. At the Thanksgiving tournament the defense was lacking so all throughout practice we picked up the defense, and we came out and really played well in that second half.”
As for being the beneficiary of some great passes from Kelly, he added, “It’s super fun to play with him because he’s such a good passer. He gets all the attention but he’s a super distributor. He’s just a really good player all around.”
TJ Hillman paced Naperville Central with 6 points and 3 steals and Nate Abrahamson added 5 points and 6 rebounds.
“With Cole, that’s what blew me away with him last year,” Wilson added. “I knew the kid could play as a freshman but he just lets the game come to him and as a 14-, 15-year-old you don’t see that very often. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t [double cover him]. He’s just very calm.”