Teaming up for NC

Like entertainers Brooks & Dunn or clothiers Abercrombie & Fitch, North Central basketball has its own inseparable duo, Beal & Neil.

Point guard Eric Beal and post Damal Neil have been intrinsically linked since grade school. And if the Indians are to end a state appearance drought that has surpassed half a century the duo will be a major reason why.

There is palpable excitement this year at NC. The team has begun the season 8-1 and, with an early non-league victory over veteran West Valley, is ranked high in several 3A state polls.

“Polls are polls,” said Jay Webber. “Rankings don’t mean anything to me as a coach. But with the win over WV comes confidence that, hey, we can play with anybody in league.”

They further proved it with Tuesday’s league opening 64-46 victory over Gonzaga Prep. Up next is a rematch with the Eagles (7-1) at WV in Friday’s GSL feature.

Attention will be on both Beal, a brilliant passer, and Neil, an explosive back-to-the-basket scorer. Opposing coaches consider them two of the league’s best at their positions.

The two have developed a certain sixth sense on the court from playing together over the years. Neil credits Beal for his team-high scoring stats.

“Most of the time when I score I’ll be open and not even know it, but Eric will just get me the ball in the right spot and I’ll go,” he said. “Other times I won’t be open and it will just be a perfect pass.”

The pair united at Garfield Elementary, big guns on a team that lost just once during fifth and sixth grade. They played together at Glover Middle School and have been major contributors at NC for three years.

When Beal and Neil were sophomores they were third- and fourth-leading scorers and the Indians qualified for the 4A regional playoffs, missing state by a game.

Last year the 6-foot-4 Neil led Indians’ scorers at 16.8 points per game and Beal averaged 13.0. But the young team didn’t meet expectations after dropping to 3A.

So far, this year’s squad, with eight contributing returnees, has excelled. Beal and Neil upped their averages by about a point each in preseason games and cut down on the fouls that troubled them last year.

“That’s big for us,” their coach said. “It’s always a lot nicer when these guys are on the court as opposed to sitting next to me.”

Beal is a self-proclaimed gym rat who plays wherever there’s a game, often with current and former collegians. He doesn’t consider himself one of the GSL’s best scorers.

“I’m more of a passing guard and all-around,” he said. “My style is a lot of assists, about 14 per game this year. We have a lot of outside scorers and there’s not a lot of need for me to take all the shots.”

But Beal does admit he isn’t afraid to shoot with the game on the line.

An uncle, Dave Beal, played for NC in 1980-81. Eric became a student of the game by watching his brother Tim, older by eight years. Tim played on Shadle Park’s 1997 state qualifier and led Highlander scorers in 1998.

“It’s nice to have Eric on the floor because he’s always got his mind working,” Webber said.

Neil, whose uncles – the Griffins – all played sports at Mead in the 1970s and ‘80s, may be more naturally gifted, with a quick inside presence.

“Damal’s such a talent,” said Webber. “He’s just so explosive. I’m not sure I’ve coached somebody as explosive as he is.”

That became evident from the day he set foot on varsity. Neil played five varsity games as a freshman and scored 22 points. He credits his ability to the father of a friend who coached him in youth basketball.

“He told me I’d be bigger than most guys and learned to play with my back to the basket,” Neil said.

Webber has improved his ability to face his defenders and attack.

The Beal-Neil tandem is reminiscent of recent successful guard-post combinations – Erik Benzel and Sean Mallon at Ferris, Danny Pariseau and Bret Weisner at Shadle, Bryan Williams and Adam Morrison at Mead.

NC, like those state-placing schools, has two catalysts, an experienced supporting cast and similar state potential.

“There’s no question we’re better team just because of all the kids coming back,” said Webber. “We have seven seniors who are pretty special, two of them in particular.”

Beal and Neil have earned all the recognition they’ve received and are not only good basketball players but good people, he said.

“You don’t replace either one,” said Webber. “They’ve both been absolutely huge.”