Sports
Analysis: Oswego Trio Approaching Exalted Status
West, McGaughy, Simelton responsible for 70 percent of Panthers' offense
They might not be the “Three Amigos” yet, but they are on their horses riding through the western suburbs with plenty of weapons at their disposal. And none of them are seniors.
They are Oswego High School boys basketball players: junior Ryan West and sophomores Elliot McGaughy and Miles Simelton.
The three combined for 56 points in the Panthers’ 65-60 Southwest Prairie Conference win over Plainfield South on Thursday night.
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“We continue to depend and rely on our three key kids,” Oswego coach Kevin Schnable said.
The three combine for 70 percent of the Panthers’ offense, on average.
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McGaughy leads the way by averaging 18.4 points per game. West is scoring at a 15.9 clip and Simelton averages 14.9. West is the Panthers’ leading rebounder, Simelton leads the way in three-pointers and McGaughy is first in assists.
West nearly posted a triple double Thursday with 14 points, 12 rebounds and eight steals. The Panthers’ quarterback in football also had four assists.
“When Ryan West plays like that, we’re awfully good,” Schnable said. “When he played like that, it’s the difference between a good Oswego team and a much better Oswego team. He makes that much of a difference.”
West’s quickness, speed and nose for the ball created problems for the SPC champion Cougars.
“We knew we had to counter their size with our speed and Ryan led the way,” Schnable said. “He led the way with his toughness and quickness.”
Simelton hit 10 of 13 shots on his way to a game-high 24 points. He scored six straight points early in the fourth quarter, which bumped the Panthers’ lead to 61-42 with 6:02 left in the game.
“Miles really showed his offensive versatility tonight,” Schnable said. “He was 10 of 13 from the floor and he played smart. He mixed it up. It wasn’t all three’s, all layups or all jumpers. He made them adjust to him.”
McGaughy was steady as they come, tallying 18 points in the league and home finale for the Panthers.
“That’s what we expect from Elliot,” Schnable said. “He quarterbacked us better than he did a week ago and he knows he still has a way to go.”
