Grayslake Central finishes off Buffalo Grove

Despite letting an 8-point lead become a 3-point deficit in the third quarter, Grayslake Central's girls basketball proved to be resilient Friday afternoon.

A steal and 3-point basket by Emily Georgoulis in the final two seconds of the third quarter put Buffalo Grove ahead 38-35.

While the Bison seemed to have all the momentum heading into the fourth quarter, the Rams had what it took to take it away a few minutes later.

Central used an 8-0 run to start the final period and never looked back in a 56-47 triumph in the penultimate round of the Bison Classic.

Senior Rebekah Llorens scored the first two buckets of the final quarter which gave the Rams (3-2, 2-2 in tourney) the lead for good.

The senior forward finished with a game-high 23 points and 12 rebounds.

“She is a great player,” said Buffalo Grove coach Pat Dudle. “We talked about her in pregame. She had a great fourth quarter (14 points).”

Senior guard Alex Scarboro (5 points) scored both of her baskets and recorded all 3 of her assists in the final eight minutes when the Rams outscored the Bison 21-9.

“That quarter was just part of what are learning in terms of pulling together as a team,” said Llorens, who scored 14 points in the fourth quarter. “Our defense needs to spur us because our shots may or may not be falling.”

They were falling nicely for senior Skyler Jessop in the second quarter, when she hit back-to back 3-pointers to give the Rams a 23-16 advantage.

But Jessop (8 points) also had an important defensive assignment, guarding versatile Bison guard KC Dunne (9 points, 7-of-9 free throws).

“I've been chosen to guard a top player and I like it,” Jessop said. “It makes you play harder. Defense is our No. 1 priority. We know a lot of our offense comes from defense.”

Rams senior Kat Dickson added 8 points to the offense while junior Claire Brennan came off the bench and chipped in 7. Rams senior Maddy Miller (5 points) popped in a key 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

“I thought Buffalo Grove played a whale of a game,” said first-year Grayslake Central coach Steve Ikenn. “Every time I thought we had them put away they came back.”

Senior Andrea DiPrima led the Bison (1-3) with 14 points while Georgoulis finished with 13, including her big steal and quick 3-pointer just before the third-quarter buzzer.

“That was awesome,” DiPrima said of Georgoulis's play. “She did a great job. She's a great shooter.”

“That was a heads-up play by Emily,” Dudle said. “I thought that might give us some momentum but we just ran out of gas (in final quarter).”

The Bison also received 4 points apiece from Bailey North and Alanna Zawlocki while teammate Emily Cho chipped in 3.

“We're not happy with the outcome of this game,” DiPrima said. “We would have liked to have pulled out the win.

“But they have some great posts. That No. 15 (Llorens) really hurt us on the boards. Credit them. They exploited our weaknesses.”

DiPrima had a game-high four 3-pointers.

“She continued to be impressive in the early season,” Dudle said. “She has really improved with her defense.

“Andrea and our other seniors have really helped with chemistry and leadership on the floor. This tournament is tough and it's preparing us for the Mid-Suburban East. We are hoping it will pay dividends.”

DiPrima and Georgoulis each had 3-pointers when the Bison recovered from the third-quarter 8-point deficit.

“We climbed back in it with great defense and great team rebounding in the third quarter,” Dudle said.

But the Rams were able to seal the verdict in the fourth quarter.

“I thought that's when we were getting at it and showed our true colors,” Ikenn said. “I was very happy with how we rebounded. But we missed some bunnies and free throws (7-of-24) and I promise you, we practice free throws.”