Opening night of the Hoops for Healing boys basketball tournament, Oswego East taking on Neuqua Valley in the opening game. The Wolves ended John Poulakidas and Neuqua’s season a year ago with a buzzer beating three in the playoffs.
First Half
Opening minutes and Will Wolfe puts the Wolves on the board with a driving layup. This kid certainly plays for the right team.
Neuqua trailing by double digits early get a spark from Mark Gronowski, showing off a nice touch near the basket for two.
Early in the 2nd quarter, AJ Johnson splashes a deep three. Oswego East rolling up by 12, 20-8.
NV not rolling over, Max Rivera with a steal, Mark Gronowski shows why he was an All State quarterback this year with a perfect pass to split the D. Rivera lays it in as Neuqua trails by 7.
Wildcats looking for offense after Poulakidas goes to the bench with two first quarter fouls, Nick Porter buries a three. Count it plus Gronowski draws a foul under the basket.
Final seconds of the half, Wolves move the ball well against the zone, Nathaniel Campbell shoots a bit too hard, but Odin Lium with the put back to beat the buzzer. Oswego East heads to the break up 30-21.
Second Half
Despite a third foul in the first minute of the half, Coach Sutton leaves Poulakidas in the game and the junior rewards the decision with a three. NV down 33-26.
Next time down the floor, Poulakidas shakes Tremont Brewer and draws the foul, plus the basket off the glass. In a blink, Neuqua down only four.
After a pair of free throws, Poulakidas caps off a personal 10-0 run with this jumper. We are all tied at 33 midway through the third.
Neuqua up 43-37 in the fourth, Poulakidas pulls up for another three and sinks it. Neuqua now up by 9 as Poulakidas has taken over.
The lefty sharpshooter finally misses a shot, but Mark Gronowski grabs the rebound and finds Nonso Obguefi, who gets his own rebound and second chance to go. Ten big points off the bench for the junior.
Oswego East clawing back, Jalen Tucker is blocked by Gronowski, but Rithik Ganesan with the putback and the foul. He finishes with 11 points as the Wolves trail 49-41.
49-44 Neuqua, Poulakidas is silky smooth from the edge of the Oswego logo. 21 points in the 2nd half. Wildcats up by 8.
But Will Wolfe leading the charge for his team back in the game, this three pointer puts East down 57-51 with three minutes to play.
Under two minutes to go, Poulakidas drives for another and one. Neuqua pushes the lead back to eight, 61-53.
Less than a minute to play, Wolfe again pulls up for three. He hits his third of the game and draws the foul. The Wolves down 61-56, 19 in the game for Wolfe.
After a steal, Grayson Goetz with a nice driving layup for two. Suddenly the Wolves are down 62-60 with under 20 seconds to play!
The ensuing inbound play finds Poulakidas briefly trapped, but he is able to just sneak a pass to Connor Davis, who drives all the way for the game clinching layup. 9 points in the game for Davis as Neuqua Valley completes the comeback to win 64-60 and start the season 1-0.
Check out other basketball games in our Boys Sports Highlights!
