Kerr finding the range for Grant

Like many high school basketball players, 6-foot-6 Grant forward John Kerr wanted to add a new dimension to his game during the off-season.

"We had a lot of success last year when we got the ball inside to me and I could use my height," Kerr said. "But I wanted to work on my mid-range game and definitely my 3-point shot.

"I'm still working on that. I've made one 3-pointer so far this year. I hope to make more."

On Saturday night in Grant's Northern Lake County Conference opener against visiting Grayslake Central, Kerr didn't really have a reason to work on his jumpers and 3-point shooting. That's because his bread-and-butter - post moves a couple feet from the basket - was working like a charm.

Kerr powered his way, mostly inside, for a game- and season-high 26 points to lead Grant to a 64-50 win over Grayslake Central. It was the first win of the season for Grant, which moves to 1-4 overall, 1-0 in the Northern Lake County.

Grayslake Central drops to 1-5 overall, 0-1 NLCC.

"Obviously, (Kerr) does such a great job of sealing in the post," Grayslake Central coach Kosta Kougias said. "It's tough because we've got one big out and our other one is hurt so we're asking (6-foot-4) Ryan (Spicer) to play a lot of minutes and against bigger guys like John Kerr, who also does a great job of finishing."

Kerr got hot in the second half, scoring 18 of his 26 points after the break and 14 of those in the fourth quarter as Grant pulled away. The Bulldogs made a conscious effort to look for Kerr as he meandered the paint.

"John has made huge strides since last year," Grant coach Wayne Bosworth said of Kerr. "He's gotten better at using his left hand, and can go both ways and then he added a mid-range and a 3-pointer. But he's gotten even better inside."

Grayslake Central made consistent runs at Grant, but Grant usually had answers that would keep Grayslake Central at arm's length. The Rams' best run came in the second quarter when a pair of 3-pointers by senior guard Billy Drevline cut the Grant lead to 23-21.

Drevline finished with a season-high 10 points, but for him, the biggest victory was simply being back on the court in the first place.

Last year, Drevline blew out his knee in Grayslake Central's first game. He's spent nearly every waking minute since then rehabbing and trying to make his return to basketball.

"I love playing and I thought all last year about getting back on the court," Drevline said. "It's just a great feeling to be able to be out there, and to contribute is really fun.

"There were a lot of lonely nights (during rehab), but I knew I had the support of my teammates and coaches. And with working hard at getting back physically, I feel like I'm starting to be game-ready now."

Sidney Goodman was the only other player in double-figures for Grayslake Central. He had 14 points on two 3-pointers.

Grant also got double-figures from Ben Kusiak (17 points) and Andy Kaye (13 points).