Neuqua Valley defeats W. Aurora in overtime

The blowouts are over, Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton said.

West Aurora proved him right.

In the marquee game of the 13th annual High School Hoops Showdown at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, West Aurora pushed the Daily Herald's No. 2 team into overtime before Neuqua Valley prevailed 63-57.

Wildcats point guard Rahjan Muhammad made six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 24 points. Just as important was his assist on Sam Johnson's lone basket, an 18-footer that put Neuqua ahead to stay in overtime, 57-55. The Wildcats clinched it with 6 free throws by Jim Stocki, Muhammad and Dwayne Evans in the last 1:24 of overtime.

"That's definitely huge," Muhammad said of Johnson's jumper. "He started kind of slow, but he hit one of the biggest shots of the game."

Muhammad, Kareem Amedu and Kyle Pembrook - who scored 14 and 11 points, respectively - carried the offensive load on Saturday. Sutton believed the St. Louis-bound Evans had a flu bug. Evans still managed 9 points with 10 rebounds but was an atypical 5 of 12 from the foul line, looking a little tired.

"I've never really seen him like that," Muhammad said.

"No excuses," said Sutton, whose Wildcats improved to 19-1, "but I'm staying away from him."

West Aurora (8-9) stuck right with Neuqua, though, despite top scorer Juwan Starks sitting the entire second half after bumping his right knee.

Neuqua Valley went up 8-0, courtesy of Muhammad's 3s, but the Blackhawks scurried back within 12-8 at the end of the first quarter and 30-29 by halftime. D.J. Vaughan, who led West Aurora with 17 points, hit a pair of 3s in that second quarter and the Blackhawks got good help by brawny senior Garrett Wells.

West Aurora led 43-41 going into the fourth quarter after a steal and layup by David Gray, who scored 8 important points with 3 steals.

After three ties and four lead changes West Aurora led 53-52 with 1:53 left to play. In the midst of a patient possession they fired up a long, errant shot.

"I didn't want anything but an uncontested layup," said Blackhawks coach Gordie Kerkman. "What's the difference if we win by 4 points or by 1?"

An Amedu free throw sent the game into overtime tied at 53-53.

"We tell them not to fear the close game," said Sutton, whose team came in averaging 72.6 and outscoring teams by 19 points. "... The close games are fun."