Redemption Song - Neuqua Valley triumphs

Keelan Amelianovich (right) hands the ball to
Lake Forest-bound point guard John Pugliese

By Frank Rusnak
What is the best anecdote for a school in its infancy finishing with a 6-22 record? A mere three years down the line being 18-2, including defeating the one team, and neighborhood rival, that has continually been a thorn in your side since the beginning.

"I couldn't imagine another school out there that has improved as much as we have in four years."

Todd Sutton
Neuqua Valley Coach

Neuqua Valley High School, located on the southwest side of Naperville is still new to the game regarding tradition. With the varsity basketball team only having four years of existence and the school being a mere five years old, they are quick learners.

It all started with the coach, Todd Sutton, who would commute nearly two hours every day from Byron, IL before he sold his house.

After their first dismal season, they followed that up with an 11-16 mark. Taking that mark even further, they ended up 22-8 last year while falling to West Aurora in the Hinsdale South sectional final.

"I couldn't imagine another school out there that has improved as much as we have in four years," said Sutton. "And we've done it with home grown talent, not imports, and that's what I'm really proud of. The seniors have been here the whole time and they didn't necessarily walk into our school with talent, but their hard work has made them very good players."

The seniors that Sutton is referring to are 6'0" point guard John Pugliese, 6'6" Keelan Amelianovich and 6'8" Josh Wesley.

"They are our dynamic trio, our captains and our foundation," continued Sutton. "They walked in the door when I walked in the door. We came in together and we threw this thing out there and they bought into the program and that's what this program will be built on for the next 30, 40 years is John, Josh and Keelan."

While the Wildcats have had continued improvement throughout the years, they have had nothing but continued stress when facing district rival Waubonsie Valley, which they were 0-5 against coming into Friday's contest. But was this contest mistakenly labeled a "rival?"

"I don't think that is a rivalry, because we've never beat [Waubonsie]," said Sutton prior to the two team's meeting. "As long as they absolutely kick our butt every time we show up I don't think its a rivalry, because they probably feel that they should probably stay home and practice because it would be a more worthwhile experience than coming out and stomping us into the floor every year."

With an overflow crowd of 2,500 in Waubonsie's gym, there would be no stomping in this showdown, as Neuqua Valley pulled off a 44-43 victory in a nail-bitter.

"It was just amazing, especially with so many people being there," said Pugliese, who scored all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter. "We proved not only to ourselves but to everyone else that we are a really good team and its just going to continue."

A hard-nosed leader, "Pugs," as he's referred to by his teammates, is the orchestrator of this team as a two-year starter at the lead guard spot. Already accepting a scholarship offer from Division III Lake Forest, he averaging eight points and nine assists a game. With keen court vision and a crafty approach, he is able to set his teammates up for easy baskets. Although, it helps having big-bodied Wesley planted down low and sharp-shooting Amelianovich on the wing, who are his admitted two favorite targets.

The son of Tony Amelianovich, a 1970 graduate of Northern Illinois University, Keelan is averaging a team-high 20 points a game this season while pulling down six rebounds a game. With a marksman type range from the perimeter he is making Division III colleges droll while peeking the interest of many Division II's.

"Keelan's been a three year starter and he really has worked on getting to the basket a little more, but he's really a great spot up shooter and that's so easy if your a PG," said Pugliese. "Just toss it out there and he'll make it. I'm trying to get him hooked up at Lake Forest, but I'm pretty sure he'll get something bigger because he's been working so hard."

The big man for the Wildcats, Wesley, is certainly a large presence in the lane at 6'8", 250-pounds. Pulling down 10 rebounds a game he also adds in 17 points. A diabetic, Wesley needs to keep a constant watch out for his blood sugar level, especially during games. If it isn't right he has to drink Gatorade and last year took shots of insulin during breaks in the game to correct his blood sugar level.

"He's huge and just a big target," said Pugliese about Wesley. "It's easy to get it down to him. And he's great on the defensive side. He'll block a shot and grab the rebound; he does it all down there. He worked really hard over the summer with some good low post moves and he's using them now."

While all three will be playing basketball in college next year, what separates this trio are their off the court accolades.

"The scary thing about Keelan is that he has a 4.4 grade point out of a 4.0 scale and 28 ACT," said Sutton. "Josh has a 28 ACT and John is well over a 3.0 average. They are students and that's what is really impressive."