Scouting Neuqua Valley boys basketball

Neuqua Valley

Coach: Todd Sutton (14th year, 279-106; 23rd overall, 441-182).

Last year: 22-8, 8-4, second in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division; lost 62-59 in overtime to East Aurora in the Class 4A Bolingbrook regional final.

Top players: Nate Boudreau, sr., F; Peter Catchings, sr., G; Pat Kenny, jr., F; Darien Miskel, jr., F-C; Elijah Robertson, so., F; Jabari Sandifer, jr., G; Tyler Sutton, sr., G.

Scouting report: This premier program has a high court IQ but enters inexperienced with the graduation of All-Area players Jim Stocki and Sam Johnson. Point guard Sandifer has no set timetable for return after recent ankle surgery. That thrusts three-time captain Tyler Sutton, a good outside shooter and a great passer, among a committee of players in that role. Along with 6-foot-3 lockdown defender Catchings, the Wildcats have the makings of a solid frontcourt with Miskel, Boudreau, Kenny and Robertson, whom Todd Sutton said looks like a young Dwayne Evans. Defense and rebounding better be good, Sutton said, because he’s uncertain about scoring potential. “We won’t be in a hurry to shoot, let’s put it that way,” he said. Still, count on Neuqua to vie for Valley and postseason titles.