Oswego East’s Sam Schultz, whose initials easily could stand for “Super Soph,” definitely was the man at the 52nd annual East Aurora Holiday Tournament.
A 6-foot-7 sophomore center, Schultz can score from inside and out, rebound, block shots, handle the ball and pass it with precision. He did it all Friday in leading the Wolves to a 61-53 win over Neuqua Valley in the championship game.
Schultz, who finished with game-highs of 19 points and seven assists, to go with with seven rebounds, was voted tourney MVP by participating coaches.
Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton, whose team lost by 14 to the Wolves over Thanksgiving, told his team as much beforehand. Trying to contain Schultz was Job 1 for the Wildcats, but it proved easier said than done, even though the Wolves (8-5) played this time without point guard Ray J Dennis, who was attending a family event out of state.
“We knew we were playing the best man in the tournament and he performed,” Sutton said. “We had no answer. We could not guard him anywhere. Absolutely a mismatch.”
Neuqua (5-8) stayed in it behind the outside shooting of guards Noah Herdman (15 points), John Poulakidas (11) and Ryan Lake (10), who combined to shoot 44 percent (8-of-18) from beyond the 3-point line.
Herdman, who was named to the all-tournament first team, made the second of his three 3-pointers to cut the Wolves’ lead to 37-36 with 2:42 left in the third quarter.
Oswego East answered with a 9-0 run to take control. Schultz started it by sinking a floater from the lane and finished it feeding Trent Taylor for a 3-pointer.
Schultz had a pair of 3-pointers and scored three times on baseline drives, using a different finishing move on each.
“I can take someone off the dribble if they’re slow, and if they’re little, I can take them down low,” Schultz said.
“We were a little concerned (with Dennis out). He’s our primary ballhandler, but everyone who starts for us can handle the ball.”
Guard AJ Hughes added 12 points and Sunil Saldano, subbing for Dennis, had nine points.
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“(Hughes and Saldano) killed us by driving the lane,” Sutton said. “We couldn’t keep them out of there, and when we did, they kicked it out for wide-open 3-pointers. Sad defense on our part.”
Oswego East junior forward Kamron Battle had just four points but had a team-high 10 rebounds to help offset the game-high 15 by Neuqua’s muscular 6-5 post Dubem Ogbuefi.
“For us to be short-handed and give the effort we did and come away with the win, I’m very pleased,” Oswego East coach Ryan Velasquez said.
Joliet Catholic 58, East Aurora 45: Jules Williamson had 14 points for the Tomcats (3-11) in the third-place game.
Twitter @RickArmstrong28