5 Takeaways: Neuqua Valley vs Oswego East
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Monday night we kicked off the high school basketball season in the state of Illinois! The first game on the docket was an intriguing matchup between Oswego East and Neuqua Valley at the Hoops For Healing Tournament. Two of the…
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Continue ReadingMonday night we kicked off the high school basketball season in the state of Illinois! The first game on the docket was an intriguing matchup between Oswego East and Neuqua Valley at the Hoops For Healing Tournament. Two of the better scoring wings in the suburbs were on display in John Poulakidas and Will Wolfe. Neuqua Valley pulled away in the second half to win 64-60. Here are our 5 Takeaways: Neuqua Valley vs Oswego East!
Tale of Two Halves
In the first half it was not the most fun game to watch. Both of the stars Poulakidas and Wolfe picked up early a pair of early fouls that caused them to sit the majority of the second quarter. As a team Oswego East got more contributions around their star. AJ Johnson is a 2021 point guard that really stepped up with his crisp shooting. Finished the night with 7 points. At the half Oswego East led 30-21. Overall though both teams struggled shooting it.
John Poulakidas Puts on Show in 2nd Half
After the crowd got on the #6 ranked junior in the state Neuqua Valley’s John Poulakidas in the first half for only scoring two points he absolutely lived up to the billing in the second half including exploding for 10 points in a two minute span. He showed exactly why he is a priority for several Midwest high-major programs. Elite jump shooter that got it started with a deep pull up three creating space before the shot. Then had a spin move in the lane for an and-1. From there on it was an array of smooth pull up threes and crafty drives where he often finished through contact. He went for 25 on the night carrying his team in the second half to the win.
Will Wolfe Flashes D1 Ability Despite Foul Trouble
It was the debut of Will Wolfe with his new team at Oswego East after the transfer from Aurora Christian. The 6’5” wing is one of the top uncommitted seniors in the state. He displayed why despite fighting through foul trouble all night. Such a crisp shooter that knocked down an array of jumpers including one where he was fouled on a three. Early in the game he also took it to the cup a few times including a nifty left handed layup. He went for 19 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Low-major and mid-major programs need to take a long look at him this season if they are seeking for a competitive wing with skill and toughness.
More Prospects on Floor
While it was Wolfe and Poulakidas who will get top billing in this game there were several other players that made a name for themselves. Senior 6’5” power forward Nonso Ogbuefi made a major impression with his energy and activity level around the hoop. Scored inside mostly on the offensive glass for 10 points. Mark Gronowski is an undersized post we liked last year that plays with a lot of toughness. The known supporting cast for Neuqua Valley includes Connor Davis and Max Rivera. Rivera did a nice job distributing and had a pair of crafty layups. Connor Davis is a thick bodied wing that has a feathery shooting stroke. He also gets on the offensive glass and moves well without the ball. Finished with 9 points. On the Oswego East side early on Tremont Brewer gave Poulakidas fits on the defensive end with his strength and athleticism in the first quarter. Rithik Ganesan was an efficient post as an undersized four with several scores around the cup for 11 points. Odin Lium has the highest ceiling of any of these prospects. This summer he showed a smooth perimeter game. Monday it was more inside finishing dump off passes and getting on the glass for 6 points. Grayson Goetz continues to be a priority D3 kid with his grit and nose for the basketball. Can shoot it off movement. Jalen Tucker is another name to watch as a senior for small colleges. Lefty hit a three and was active defensively.
No Sam Schultz
Oswego East was without the top uncommitted big man in the state in 6’8” power forward Sam Schultz who will be out until Christmas recovering from an injury. They will be a different team with a presence like Schultz in the middle!