West Aurora blows past Neuqua Valley
Neuqua Valley ventured into a West Aurora gymnasium containing a perfect storm.
Celebrating senior night, the host Blackhawks entered Friday's contest two and a half games behind Neuqua in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division race with three left.
West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman had 798 career wins and rival East Aurora on tap Saturday. His Blackhawks sought revenge after a December loss at Neuqua.
Add defense, rebounding and 28-of-45 field-goal shooting and West Aurora stormed to a surprising 64-27 victory.
"I just knew that we didn't want to lose to them again. That was a tough loss (52-47) last time," said West Aurora forward Roland Griffin, who joined teammate Marquis Howard each with 14 points, behind freshman Camron Donatlan's game-high 20.
"Plus it's home, senior night. That's crazy, I wouldn't have known how I would have taken it if we would have lost," Griffin said.
That, said Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton, was decided "in about four minutes."
"They just completely took us out of our offense with their defense," Sutton said. "Their defense was fantastic, it was in every passing lane. No one was open and we couldn't get open shots. And we're really bad on offense when we don't get open shots."
Neuqua Valley - benefiting by East Aurora beating UEC Valley pursuer Bartlett - averages nearly eight 3-point baskets and shoots 47 percent from the floor. On Friday West Aurora (16-7, 8-3) allowed two 3s and caused 29 percent shooting plus 18 turnovers. Neuqua (21-4, 10-1) was led by Demond George with 7 points, 6 from Jacob Cushing.
"They were ready to play and they showed it," said Neuqua guard Connor Raridon. "They dominated us on offense and defense, they out-hustled us. The first time we owned the glass, this time they dominated us."
West Aurora led 11-0 as Neuqua Valley missed its first 7 attempts and didn't score until two Raridon free throws with 1:34 left in the first quarter.
Leading 14-4 after one quarter, West Aurora spread the margin to 28-10 midway through the second quarter after one of Howard's four 3-point baskets, and entered halftime up 30-13.
Neuqua rallied from 13 points down in the first meeting, but West Aurora quashed any comeback in a 24-point third quarter that gave the Blackhawks a 54-24 lead going into the fourth. Donatlan, getting his third start, scored 11 points in the quarter.
"We just wanted to come out and play good and show them that we're supposed to be the conference champs," the freshman said.
Regarding the prospect of an 800th win Saturday, Kerkman didn't take the bait.
"I'll think about it tomorrow," he said.