Neuqua Valley's Cole Kelly and Bolingbrook's Brady Pettigrew put on a show at When Sides Collide at Benet, leading their respective teams to thrilling victories in an exhibition match-up that showcased the next generation of Illinois high school basketball talent.
For Neuqua Valley, the sophomore duo of Cole Kelly and Mason Martin proved to be too much for Bolingbrook to handle. Kelly, the 6-6 guard, scored a game-high 29 points, including 13 in the third quarter, while also grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking three shots. Meanwhile, Martin contributed 28 points off the bench, demonstrating his impressive all-around skills as a junior committed to Illinois.
The turning point came when Neuqua Valley trailed by 14 points in the second quarter, only to mount an incredible comeback, thanks largely to Kelly's efforts on both ends of the court. The Wildcats' defense stiffened, holding Bolingbrook to just one field goal and three free throws over a six-minute stretch, which swung the momentum decisively in Neuqua Valley's favor.
"We try to play fast, but that's another level of fast," Kelly admitted about Bolingbrook's high-intensity pressure defense. "Our guys down there block out and do everything right, but they just don't have the size." The Wildcats' coach, Todd Sutton, was impressed with his team's resilience and ability to adjust to a more aggressive defensive strategy.
Bolingbrook's Pettigrew, meanwhile, led his team with 26 points, while senior TJ Williams added 19. However, the Raiders struggled to contain Neuqua Valley's dynamic duo, ultimately falling short in a thrilling contest that showcased the potential of these two programs to become major forces in Illinois high school basketball.
"It's an honor to compete against the best coaches and players," Sutton said after his team improved to 21-1 on the season. "Rob Brost has won 700 games for a reason - he's one of the best coaches in the state, and now he has some real tools to work with."
For Neuqua Valley, the sophomore duo of Cole Kelly and Mason Martin proved to be too much for Bolingbrook to handle. Kelly, the 6-6 guard, scored a game-high 29 points, including 13 in the third quarter, while also grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking three shots. Meanwhile, Martin contributed 28 points off the bench, demonstrating his impressive all-around skills as a junior committed to Illinois.
The turning point came when Neuqua Valley trailed by 14 points in the second quarter, only to mount an incredible comeback, thanks largely to Kelly's efforts on both ends of the court. The Wildcats' defense stiffened, holding Bolingbrook to just one field goal and three free throws over a six-minute stretch, which swung the momentum decisively in Neuqua Valley's favor.
"We try to play fast, but that's another level of fast," Kelly admitted about Bolingbrook's high-intensity pressure defense. "Our guys down there block out and do everything right, but they just don't have the size." The Wildcats' coach, Todd Sutton, was impressed with his team's resilience and ability to adjust to a more aggressive defensive strategy.
Bolingbrook's Pettigrew, meanwhile, led his team with 26 points, while senior TJ Williams added 19. However, the Raiders struggled to contain Neuqua Valley's dynamic duo, ultimately falling short in a thrilling contest that showcased the potential of these two programs to become major forces in Illinois high school basketball.
"It's an honor to compete against the best coaches and players," Sutton said after his team improved to 21-1 on the season. "Rob Brost has won 700 games for a reason - he's one of the best coaches in the state, and now he has some real tools to work with."
Cole Kelly is like a superhero out there he's so clutch 29 points and 11 rebounds? 
I'm not even kidding it was like he single-handedly took down Bolingbrook. And Mason Martin's bench game is straight fire 28 points off the bench? 
that junior is going to be a star in no time. Neuqua Valley's defense is on point, holding Bolingbrook to just one field goal and three free throws over a six-minute stretch... talk about turning around a game! 
The Raiders had some great players too, like Brady Pettigrew who put up 26 points, but they just couldn't contain Kelly and Martin. Rob Brost's coaching skills are for real, he knows how to get the best out of his guys 
I'm loving the comeback story by Neuqua Valley! Cole Kelly is literally UNSTOPPABLE 
. The fact that Bolingbrook's pressure defense didn't even rattle Neuqua Valley says a lot about their depth and chemistry as a team 
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. And for Bolingbrook, Brady Pettigrew did his thing with 26 points, but Neuqua Valley just had too much firepower 
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He put up some impressive numbers, but Neuqua Valley's defense was just too much to handle. Maybe it's time for the Raiders to work on their size advantage 
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anyway back to basketball - i think it's awesome that these kids are already showing so much potential. but have you seen those new sneaker designs they're coming out with? the ones with the glow-in-the-dark laces and whatnot? so cool 
