Strong finish helps Grant prevail at Lakes
In recent seasons, Grant's boys basketball team hasn't been able to win at Lakes. But finally, with a strong fourth quarter effort this time, the Bulldogs achieved their elusive goal and claimed a North Suburban Prairie victory.
Grant remains unbeaten in the division after a 58-51 win over the Eagles on Friday night in Lake Villa.
"We played well on the offensive and defensive ends," Grant coach Wayne Bosworth said. "I thought we played a nice overall game. I was proud of the guys - with the way they played, with the game plan and how they executed it.
"It's always tough to win here and I don't remember the last time we came in here and got a win."
The Bulldogs (7-7, 3-0) had four of their starters score in double figures led by John Kerr with 12 points and 12 rebounds. James Mobley added 11, and Logan Lewis and Andy Kaye had 10 apiece.
It was a battle into the fourth quarter. Kyle Rohr (12 points) hit a 3 to give the Eagles (6-8, 1-3) their first lead since the opening minute of the game, at 38-37 with 6:40 left in the final quarter.
But Grant picked up the intensity as Logan Lewis dropped in a 3 and followed up by hitting 1 of 2 free throws to cap a 12-4 run putting the Bulldogs ahead 49-42 with 2:13 left.
Lakes tried to work its way back and closed within 50-46 on Rohr's short jumper with 1:18 left.
But the Eagles couldn't get much closer after that. Andy Kaye scored from close range and Lewis made two more free throws, Grant led 54-46 with 48 seconds left.
Ben Kusiak (8 points) added some strength with a big block on an Eagles 3-point attempt to help the Bulldogs secure the victory.
"If he had made that shot, then they could've made the game closer," said Kusiak, who stands 6-feet, 1 inch. "It was just the momentum that we needed to play hard defense and get the ball back.
Lakes' Michael Behrendt added 12 points, Colton Jewell chipped in with 11 and Tim Ohlwein had 10.
It was the second time the Eagles dropped a close defeat to the Bulldogs in a few weeks; Grant edged Lakes 78-75 in OT in a consolation final at Jacobs' holiday tournament.
"We were right with (Grant) and had some mistakes on both sides of the court," Lakes coach Chris Snyder said. "We had too many of them to win the game. (Grant) did a good job capitalizing on them, and we've got to keep learning from them. We just have to correct them for next time. The effort is there, but the details slipped away from us."