Starring role for Einloth in Grayslake Central's win
The bounce pass - delivered from near the half-court line to a cutting Lucas Buckels, who finished at the rim - would have played nicely at the NBA All-Star Game festivities in New York this weekend.
"I love (distributing the ball)," 6-foot-5 junior Aidan Einloth said. "I'd rather have 15 assists than 30 points, any night."
Grayslake North's star settled for 17 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, as the visiting Knights pulled away from Crystal Lake Central to capture a 60-43 win in a Fox Valley Conference Fox Division game Saturday night.
One more assist would have given Einloth his second career triple-double, as he had one last season against Hampshire.
"He's a complete player," said teammate Lucas Buckels, whose season-high 20 points led all scorers. "He's not just a scorer. Rebounds. Assists. He does a little bit of everything."
Crystal Lake Central (7-15, 2-7) dressed only eight players and its attempt to slow the pace worked for more than a quarter, until a Buckels bucket with 5:34 left in the half gave the Knights a 15-14 lead.
Grayslake North (14-9, 7-3) then was able to accelerate the game's pace. Joe Geary (6 points) slashed to the basket and Buckels had a steal and layup that were part of a 12-0 run that pushed the lead to 25-14 with two minutes left before halftime.
Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh understood the Tigers' strategy considering their short bench.
"I thought we adjusted pretty well," said Grunloh, whose Knights beat Crystal Lake Central 67-49 on Dec. 13. "You used to see 1-2 teams a year in the Fox that would try to slow it down and have games in the 30s and 40s. But I can't remember the last time we've seen a team that's actually tried to do that."
After being a force inside and scoring 15 points in the opening half, Einloth moved away from the basket and became the distributor in the second half.
"Even though Aidan was having success in the post, they were still sending 2-3 guys at him (in the second half)," Grunloh said. "He started 'backdooring' them and getting easy looks (for teammates). That's not much of a surprise. He's smart. He's a very intelligent basketball player."
Buckels showed his smarts too. The 6-2 senior guard was the recipient of more than one dish by Einloth. Buckels also twice sank a layup after his own steal.
"He (usually) doesn't score from the perimeter," Grunloh said. "He can make those shots, but he usually takes what the defense gives him. He's going to beat you to that spot, and, for not being an overly big kid, he can finish in traffic. He's got some creative finishes."
Buckels finished 10 of 14 from the floor and also had 4 rebounds. He scored 18 points earlier in the week against Grant.
"I'm just getting open shots and my teammates are giving me the ball when I'm open," Buckels said. "That's nothing different from we've been doing all season."
Grayslake North extended its lead to 18 points in the third quarter and was up 40-29 entering the fourth. Bobby Krebs scored 7 of his 8 points in the fourth quarter for the Knights.
Crystal Lake Central was led by Jack Ortner's 13 points. Jason Price, Ian Koch (6 rebounds) and Adam Pump each scored 8 points for the Tigers.