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Neuqua Valley advances past Benet to final

As expected, Wednesday's Hoops for Healing Showdown between Benet and Neuqua Valley featured plenty of long-range shooting and was a back-and-forth, down-to-the-wire thriller.

But there were still some surprises in the Wildcats' 60-56 win over the Redwings that earned them a berth in the tourney's title game Friday night in Oswego. While the Redwings were knocking down 10 3-pointers on the night, Neuqua Valley won its third straight game after Jacob Cushing blocked Dan Sobolewski's 3-point attempt in the waning seconds of a 59-56 game.

Not only did the Wildcats win with the help of the big block, but they also surprised the Redwings with 14 points inside from Zach Lendino. They also made 16 of 25 free throws while 2-1 Benet attempted just 5 foul shots all night.

The Redwings forced 6 first-quarter turnovers while jumping ahead 15-4 - the lead reached 18-4 following a 3-pointer by Colin Bonnett to open the second quarter, but Neuqua's shots began to fall after the opening quarter and the turnovers became rare.

"They about knocked us out. We were wobbling. Our knees were shaking," Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton said of Benet's fast start.

The Wildcats used an 18-9 advantage in the second quarter to close the gap to 24-22 at the half. The Redwings then used a 10-1 run capped by a Sobolewski 3-pointer to open the second half for a 34-23 lead, before Lendino scored on a layup to start the Wildcats' comeback.

Neuqua closed to within 43-40 after three quarters and went ahead for good at 50-48 on a 3-pointer from Cushing with 4:15 left to play. The Wildcats followed that up with a 3 from Logan Wallace, whose only basket of the night proved to be a big one.

Benet then made things interesting when James Dockery and Patrick Ramatowski connected on long-range shots, with Ramatowski's pulling his team to within 56-54 with 2:08 left to play. But after Lendino scored his sixth basket inside, the lead was 58-54 with 1:07 left to play and the Redwings could not get any closer than 3 points down the stretch before Cushing's blocked sealed the win.

Lendino said he tried to stay positive after Benet blitzed the Wildcats early.

"I always look at the positive and hoping for the positive side and always knowing that we can come back," the 6-foot-2 senior said. "We didn't play good on defense at all in the first quarter and shots weren't falling. We're a good shooting team and you know shots our going to fall and the defense will pick up."

Lendino said his baskets in the paint were all a part of the Neuqua offense. Cushing, Demond George and Connor Raridon each dropped in a pair of 3s in the game, but it was the team's success at mixing in an inside attack that made the difference.

"It's just our offense," he said. "It's very structured. We run the plays and set the screens and there's going to be openings and we'll get the ball where it's supposed to be and we'll score."

Raridon led Neuqua with 17 points thanks in large part to making 9 of 12 free throws. For the Redwings, Bonnett and Sobolewski each tallied 14 points and Dockery added 10.

"We defended really well in the first quarter," Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said. "In the last three quarters we didn't get the job done. They're a solid team with multiple weapons and they kind of exposed us in some areas. For us to win a game like that we have to be a little better defensively."

  Neuqua Valley's Connor Raridon, left, looks to gain possession while guarded by Benet's Sean Liska and James Dockery, during the Hoops for Healing boys basketball tournament at Oswego High School. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Benet's Jeff Conrad looks to pass up court during the Hoops for Healing boys basketball tournament at Oswego High School. Neuqua Valley's Demond George defends. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Benet's Jason Malonga, left, shoots high over Neuqua Valley's Jacob Eminger, right, during the Hoops for Healing boys basketball tournament at Oswego High School. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton watches the fianl seconds against Benet during the Hoops for Healing boys basketball tournament at Oswego High School. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Neuqua Valley's Zachary Lendino drives the lane against Benet, during the Hoops for Healing boys basketball tournament at Oswego High School. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Neuqua Valley's Demond George passes to the wing as Benet's Cameron Graves, left, defends, during the Hoops for Healing boys basketball tournament at Oswego High School. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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