Young, high-scoring duo of Cole Kelly and Mason Martin has Neuqua Valley off to a hot start

There isn’t a more potent offensive duo in the state than Neuqua Valley’s Cole Kelly and Mason Martin. The two young players — Kelly is just a sophomore and Martin a junior — are off to blistering starts.

Along the way, the Kelly-Martin duo has led Neuqua to a 7-1 record, including a big win over previously unbeaten Lyons this past weekend.

What these two are doing from an offensive standpoint, with their scoring and shooting, can’t be matched by any other tandem in the state. They are a scoring powerhouse, creating a thrilling Neuqua Valley offense.

Historically, very few teams have boasted two players putting up 20-plus a night. They’re quickly becoming high school basketball’s version of the “Splash Brothers,” the famed nickname given to Golden State’s former tandem of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

Kelly and Martin have each scored 40-plus points in a game this season. Last week they both had 25 points through three quarters against Yorkville en route to combining for 60 points in the game. They are a scoring powerhouse.

“It’s never been said between the two of us, but we don’t care who scores,” Kelly said.

The two play together 12 months a year between practices and games at Neuqua Valley and with their Breakaway travel team in the offseason.

“We have built up this trust and connection,” Kelly said of playing with Martin. “And it’s always on, every single night when we’re playing.”

Often it can take years for a young player to find that balance between scoring and distributing. But Kelly is a multi-faceted scorer and a highly underrated passer with over four assists a game. He’s becoming more of a creator who is making everyone better.

It’s why he’s among the top 50 prospects nationally in the Class of 2028 and had his first college offer before he even played a high school game.

Even after putting together a whopper of a freshman season, averaging 19 points a game with 14 double-doubles, Kelly is at a different level one year later. The confidence you see now from Kelly is unwavering and permeates through his team.

“Just having that one year of experience under my belt is a big difference,” Kelly said of being a sophomore. “Also, playing two age groups up with Breakaway on the [Adidas] circuit has shown me that I can play with anyone. I do feel I have way more confidence.”

Kelly is shooting over 40 percent from the three-point line with 23 made threes. He uses his size and strength to score around the rim. When Kelly sprinkles in stepback jumpers, stepthroughs and the patience he plays with on the ball, you see the uncommonly mature offensive game he possesses.

Kelly, who is arguably the top young player in the state, is fresh off a 43-point performance in Friday night’s win over Metea Valley. The 6-6 guard is averaging an eye-opening 26.7 points a game. He’s also pulling down nearly nine rebounds.

“Everyone sees Cole as a guy who is just this scorer,” Martin pointed out. “But playing with him you see how unselfish he is as a teammate. He’s the best passer I’ve ever played with. The chemistry with us is there.”

Martin, meanwhile, has been the state’s biggest stock riser in the early part of the season. He started with a bang, burying 11 three-pointers and scoring 42 points in a win over West Aurora at Thanksgiving. The 6-5 sniper is averaging 19.6 points a game and has already knocked down 31 three-pointers (over 40 percent) in eight games.

The wiry Martin broke his thumb in July while playing with Breakaway on the Adidas travel circuit. But before that he was among the top scorers in 16U Adidas play with multiple 30-plus point games, displaying a quick release and limitless range.

“I wanted to come into this season and just keep the momentum and confidence level going from the summer,” said Martin, who is one of the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top five prospects in the state in the Class of 2027. “I’ve been able to do that. Now I want to keep it consistent every game."

With the hot start and headline-grabbing performances, Martin’s recruiting is set to take off. This past weekend he picked up an offer from Illinois.

Now both have set their sights on lifting Neuqua Valley to heights never reached. There is a difference both see with this team in comparison to last year’s 20-13 team that fell in the regional.

“You can see and feel the difference in this team,” Kelly said. “It’s the most fun I think I’ve had playing basketball. We want to just keep working and playing well."