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Reed, Grayslake Central stop Vernon Hills

Danny Reed’s promotion to varsity basketball less than a month ago might explain why the Grayslake Central sophomore got stuck wearing a big man’s number — 50 — when, in fact, he stands 5 feet 10.

Moreover, he is hardly a big man on a team that boasts ample height.

“We had some injuries and illnesses, we were looking for another guard, and he can shoot the ball pretty well,” Rams coach Brian Moe said of his decision to call up Reed. “He’s a nice addition for us.”

Grayslake Central’s No. 50 was golden against Vernon Hills on Tuesday night.

In a likely preview of the Class 3A Vernon Hills regional final March 4, Grayslake Central held off the visiting Cougars 56-50.

Playing in just his eighth varsity game — all starts — Reed scored a season-high 13 points. He’s hit double digits in three of the Rams’ last four games.

“He’s just gaining more confidence,” Moe said. “For Danny right now, that’s the key. He’s trying to figure out how to blend in with our kids and where his shots are coming from. Our offense is a little different from what the sophomores are running because we go the two big kids (Casey Boyle and C.J. Stempeck).

“We don’t have 6-9 and 6-7 at the sophomore level,” Moe added with a laugh.

Grayslake Central improved to 14-10, while dropping Vernon Hills to 16-8, as the 6-7 Stempeck notched his second straight double-double. He scored a game-high 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Jordan Taylor added 12 points, and Tim Abbott followed up his 23-point/12-rebound effort against Johnsburg with 7 points and 9 boards.

DaVaris Daniels led Vernon Hills with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Chris Argianas and Stephen Curry added 13 and 10 points, respectively, while Jarrett Wood pulled down a game-best 12 rebounds.

A year ago, Grayslake Central defeated Vernon Hills just before the state tournament, only to see the Cougars earn revenge on Daniels’ buzzer-beating winner in the North Chicago regional semifinals.

Said Moe: “I told Matt (Vernon Hills coach Matt McCarty), ‘Last year we beat you at your place and you won the regional game. I’ll be more than happy to let you win at our place this year and we’ll win the regional game.’ He wasn’t going for that.”

Vernon Hills enjoyed a 26-25 lead at halftime Tuesday, but Taylor and Reed heated up from the perimeter in the third quarter. Their back-to-back 3-pointers had the Rams up 39-33.

Reed showed off his smooth stroke by sinking three jumpers in the quarter.

“He can shoot the ball, and he’s got confidence,” Moe said. “You don’t see a lot of midrange-jump shooters, and he’s pretty good from 15 feet.”

Reed is pretty good from 19 feet, 9 inches, too. He displayed his efficiency from the beyond arc against Vernon Hills by making 3 of 5 attempts.

“I’ve been trying to work on my longer shots because I’m a shorter guy so I don’t get in the paint as much as I used to,” Reed said. “I stopped growing.”

Reed drained three 3-pointers, including a pair in the third in helping the hosts take a 44-37 edge into the fourth.

“My teammates started setting good screens and getting me open,” Reed said. “I’m glad I could hit the shots afterward. It was fun.”

Six points in 15 seconds from Argianas (3 of 4 free throws, three-point play) put Vernon Hills up 47-46 with 5:08 left in the fourth. But a putback by Stempeck had Grayslake Central back in front for good. Reed and Taylor sealed the Rams’ third win in a row by going a combined 4 of 4 from the line in the final half minute.

Reed remembers watching from the stands last year when Vernon Hills ended Grayslake Central’s season.

“It felt good to beat these guys,” Reed said, “because I was feeling (my teammates’) pain.”

Images: Vernon Hills at Grayslake Central boys basketball

  Grayslake Central’s CJ Stempeck drives past Vernon Hills’ John Foley Tuesday night at Grayslake Central High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills’ Stephen Curry drives on Grayslake Central’s Savonte McWiliams, left, and CJ Stempeck Tuesday night at Grayslake Central High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills’ John Foley, left, and Grayslake Central’s Casey Boyle battle for a loose ball Tuesday night at Grayslake Central High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills’ Stephen Curry, center, battles for a loose ball with Grayslake Central’s Kyle Shepard, left, and Danny Reed Tuesday night at Grayslake Central High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com