Grayslake Central: FVC Fox champs
Grayslake Central’s boys basketball team knew what was at stake when it hosted Woodstock North on Friday night.
If the Rams won and Grayslake North lost, the Rams would clinch the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division.
Mission accomplished, as the Rams held the Thunder to 5 points in the first quarter and went on to win 69-47, while Grayslake North lost to Crystal Lake Central.
It was Grayslake Central coach Brian Moe’s second division championship in his fourth year.
The Rams (18-7, 10-1) opened a 20-5 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. The home crowd was loud, as it tried to fluster Woodstock North. Whenever the Thunder brought the ball upcourt, the fans started to cheer until they were at a crescendo pitch.
“That was the first time that it was done and it was interesting to see,” Moe said. “It was a lot of fun.”
“We’ve played good defense all year,” Moe added. “We put pressure on (Woodstock North’s) guards and did a nice job, and that is the basis of what we do in our games.”
It was an emotional game for the Rams, as well, because it was senior night.
“We were being aggressive offensively,” said Jordan Taylor, who led all scorers with 20 points. “(Winning the division) means everything for us. We need to keep winning and get a streak going so when we can go downstate.”
Rams senior Sean Geary added a career-high 16 points, while senior Savonte McWilliams had 12.
“I just played hard and gave it all I got,” McWilliams said. “It’s been great playing for this school.”
Junior Danny Reed also had 12 points, despite having to sit most of the fourth quarter due to foul trouble. Tyler Smith, Kevin Anderson and Casey Boyle, who missed his second game in a row due to an ankle injury, were the other seniors honored.
“Our seniors have been playing for four years and they have grown together,” Moe said. “They started with me freshman year and I’ve seen them grow, especially Jordan. We learned a lot together and hopefully it will lead to a lot of great memories.”
Konnor Boron and Steven Whiting (two 3s) led Woodstock North with 9 points apiece.
“We didn’t come out ready to play tonight, said Woodstock North coach Steve Ryan, whose Thunder fell to 7-18 and 2-9 in the FVC Fox. “(Grayslake Central) is a very good team, and I wish we could have given them a better game.”