D-C, Beck neutralize Neuqua Valley

Dundee-Crown's Jeff Beck (3) defends against Neuqua Valley.
(Shauna Bittle/Courier News)

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Dundee-Crown senior Jeff Beck knew like everyone else that Neuqua Valley had been considered a lock for the state tournament ever since the pairings were released.

It was almost a guarantee that the Wildcats would walk through their competition. They weren’t penciled into playing in Peoria. It was written in permanent marker.

The thought was no different on Tuesday. Few, if any, thought Dundee-Crown, which had constantly escaped defeat in regionals and sectionals, was even going to make the Class 4A DeKalb Supersectional somewhat interesting.

Beck heard it all, and he didn’t care.

Beck showed just how much he didn’t care as he went off for a game-high 29 points and led the Chargers to a 64-59 upset win over Neuqua Valley to earn the school its first state tournament berth. It's also the first time a Fox Valley Conference team has advanced to state.

“No one gave us a chance,” Beck said. “My team believed. That’s all that mattered. We’re fighters.”

From the start, Dundee-Crown (23-5) proved it wasn’t going to bow down to Neuqua Valley (31-2) and its 23-game winning streak. The Chargers took a 12-4 lead in the first quarter and only kept extending that as time went on. By the third quarter, that advantage was up 14.

Beck’s offense and the team’s defense carried Dundee-Crown as it had all season.

The Wildcats, who were averaging more 70 points a game, were ineffective inside and out against the Chargers, who were allowing less than 50 a game. Neuqua Valley shot just 25 percent in the first half and 38.6 percent for the game. Three of Neuqua Valley’s five three-pointers came in the final minute.

Up against a trio of skilled forwards in Derek Raridon, Dwayne Evans and Kareem Amedu, Dundee-Crown’s Charles Kimbrough, a 6-6 senior, allowed nothing easy inside. He blocked four shots and altered many others. He also had six points and nine rebounds.

Marcus Henry (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Aaron Reams (eight points) also contributed for the Chargers.

Evans led the Wildcats with 18 points, but fouled out with 49.5 seconds remaining. Raridon (16 points, eight rebounds) also contributed.