Sheehan, Grant seniors deliver at Antioch

Gilbert Sheehan is one of four seniors on Grant's boys basketball team, and his leadership was clear to see on Friday night.

Sheehen scored 9 of his career and game high 29 points as he led the Bulldogs on a 15-point spurt over the final two minutes. Grant sophomore Shane Richardson contributed 20 and 6 rebounds as the Bulldogs topped Antioch 73-60 in the North Suburban Prairie Division opener for both teams.

"I couldn't have won the game by myself," Sheehan said. "It was a team effort, but I contributed the best that I could and we came out with the win. It wasn't the cleanest win, and we can get better."

The Bulldogs (4-1) trailed Antioch 60-58 after the Sequoits' Kris Norby made a layup with 2:10 left in the fourth quarter.

Sheehan got fouled and tied the game at 60-60 with a couple of free throws at the two-minute mark.

Then another senior, John King (10 points, 10 rebounds) had a putback basket with 1:31 remaining and was fouled. .

King missed the free throw and Sheehan made an impressive effort for an offensive rebound. He scored 8 seconds later and got fouled. Sheehan also made the free throw and stretched the lead to 65-60.

"Gilbert did step up to make some big baskets," Grant coach Wayne Bosworth said. "He's our one returning starter and he's what kind of makes this team go."

Grant went on and scored the next 8 points to seal the victory.

"Antioch played hard and they make you fight for 32 minutes," Bosworth said. "We've got a lot of inexperience and at times it's showing. At times, we make good decisions and it shows, too."

The Sequoits were led by all-state running back Cameron White (13 points and 8 steals). Kyle Haley and Eric Smith added 12 points apiece.

Antioch (0-4) had the lead five times but never by more than a basket, Still, the Sequoits were in it down to the final couple of minutes.

"Maybe we played well for two minutes," Antioch coach Mike Skinner said. "We're in a game at home with better ability and physical strength. But we don't play smart. We just do the dumb stuff.

"We didn't do anything we practiced or anything that carried over from the summer. It was terrible."