10 Best: Naperville Central vs Neuqua Valley

Scott Burgess December 14, 2018 @ 09:30 PM

Friday night we checked out a matchup of teams loaded with prospects in the 2020 and 2021 classes. It was a good one as Neuqua Valley traveled to Naperville Central. The game was tight up until the third quarter when Naperville Central started to assert themselves. Neuqua Valley made a run late, but in the end Naperville Central took home the win 56-49. Here are our 10 Best: Naperville Central vs Neuqua Valley.

MVP

SF Cameron Doughtery (Naperville Central – 2020)

This 6’6” small forward continues to elevate his stock. He is a wing with positional size and some athletic pop. The junior was lethal shooting it especially from mid-range. He connected on an array of one and two dribble pull ups from 15-18 feet. Stretched it out to three on several occasions. Quick release off the catch. Mixed in a couple drives showing a nice first step. Can post up smaller defenders especially when beating them down the floor. Good rebounding wing. He had a game high 27 points.

Best Offensive Performance

SF John Poulakidas (Neuqua Valley – 2021)

Poulakidas ranks among the top wing prospects in the sophomore class in Illinois. Standing at about 6’5” this lefty is known as a sniper from deep. He definitely showed that off hitting four triples in this contest. Quick release both off the catch and pulling up off the bounce. One of the best shooters in the class. He did air ball a couple usually on flat footed threes from way too deep. Off the dribble Poulakidas won on a drive with his off hand finishing through contact for an and-1. Poulakidas went for 18 points.

Best Defensive Performance

C Chris Conway (Naperville Central – 2020)

Conway currently sits at the top of the board of centers in the 2020 class. The junior presents nice height and length at 6’9”. He definitely needs to add more strength going forward, but has the frame to do so. Conway showed flashes in the first half. He had a big slam, connected on a mid-range jumper, and converted an and-1 on a right handed hook shot. One area that really stood out was his ability to find his teammates with on the money passes from the post. In the second half he turned it up a notch. Several quick spins on the block, another hook shot, and drilled a three trailing in transition. Solid job rebounding throughout and is a shot blocking presence on the defensive end with good timing. He had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Best Rebounder

PF Justin Blazek (Neuqua Valley – 2019)

Blazek is your classic undersized post at the high school level. Built like a football player with strength. He was a beast on the boards dominating as an area rebounder. Scored on a pair of put backs going for 6 points.

Best Passer

PG Payton Thorne (Naperville Central – 2020)

Thorne is a 6’2” point guard that has decent size for position. He is a crisp passer especially in the half court. Scored two points, but was most effective as a distributor. Committed to Michigan State on Friday night as a football prospect.

Best Bench Player

PF Matthew Murphy (Naperville Central – 2020)

Murphy stands at 6’5” and made an impact coming off the bench. Quality area rebounder and contributed on the defensive end in spurts.

Best Intangibles

PG Sentwali Nalls (Neuqua Valley – 2019)

Nalls is an athletic lead guard with quick twitch ability in tight spaces. Burst with the ball in transition. Shot it pretty well in this game drilling a pair of threes and a deep baseline two. Scrappy defender. Nalls had 8 points.

Best Under-the-Radar Performance

SG Connor Davis (Neuqua Valley – 2021)

Quiet night for one of the best shooters in the sophomore class. Davis started off well with a layup and another score on an out of bounds play. Went for 5 points.

Best Role Player

G Donovan Navarro (Neuqua Valley – 2020)

Navarro had a nice layup early. This lefty is a sneaky athlete that can handle it. He had 3 points.

Best Future Football Star

PG Samuel Jackson (Naperville Central – 2021)

Jackson is a stud football prospect that more than likely will be the route he chooses for college, but there are tools to like on the hardwood as well. Very athletic 5’10” guard that is an outstanding rebounder from his guard spot. Connected on a corner three as well as a mid-range jumper. Quality defender. Plays his role. Finished with 5 points.