Grayslake Central Rams come up short, losing to North Chicago 69-61
When his four-year varsity basketball career ends, maybe then DeShawn Chambliss will be able to enjoy his new souvenirs, which he'll surely cherish the rest of his life.
For now, however, the North Chicago guard is still in the "want" mode.
So while Chambliss appreciates the basketball he received as a gift earlier in the week for scoring 1,000 career points, and while it was he who got the game net Friday night and was wearing it proudly, his team's 69-61 win over Grayslake Central in the Class 3A North Chicago sectional final left him wanting more.
"It's good," Chambliss assured after his team-high 23 points helped the Warhawks stave off a never-say-die Rams squad. "But this doesn't mean anything if we lose Tuesday. I'm focused on Tuesday right now. I don't even want to celebrate this game."
Before he exited his home court for the last time, Chambliss posed for a picture with former Bears offensive tackle James "Big Cat" Williams, who will assist new North Chicago football coach Glen Kozlowski. Chambliss will have yet another souvenir if North Chicago (24-5) can top North Lawndale (28-5) in Tuesday's 6 p.m. supersectional at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
North Lawndale, last year's Class 2A state champ, blew out St. Joseph 78-52 in the Riverside-Brookfield sectional final.
Grayslake Central, which was playing in its first sectional final, finished 21-10. That, despite losing star Andrew Sipes the first week of the season with a season-ending knee injury.
"Got to give credit to North Chicago,"said senior forward Kevin O'Rourke, who had 11 points and 7 rebounds. "They have a great team. This was our goal to get to this game. But I told the guys before the game that we're not satisfied just being here. We wanted to win this game. But our good effort came up a little short."
The Rams played catch-up most of the night after Chambliss and fellow four-year varsity starter Keith Ford established the tone early. They scored all of their team's points in the opening quarter, as the Warhawks took a 21-13 lead.
Chambliss hit 5 of 6 shots, including three 3-pointers, and had 13 points after the first eight minutes.
"I got the hot hand but our team was also doing its thing," Chambliss said. "We all played together."
North Chicago extended its lead to 35-23 by halftime, with both Chambliss and Ford (19 points) sinking two more shots apiece in the second quarter, but Grayslake Central wasn't done.
North Chicago had no answer for Josh Rappaport, who helped rally the Rams by scoring 11 of his team-best 23 points in the third quarter. He also had 9 rebounds on the night.
O'Rourke added 7 points in the third, as Grayslake Central pulled within 49-44 heading into the fourth.
"When they started coming back, Coach (Gerald) Coleman told us to slow it down," Warhawks center Josh Wright said. "But when we slow it down, we really don't put points on the scoreboard. We're a fastbreak team. When we run, we can run with anybody."
Grayslake Central pulled even at 55-55 on 2 free throws by Mike Brumm (12 points) with 4:25 left, but Wright scored on an offensive rebound.
Chambliss followed with a steal and layup, and the Warhawks led for good. Chambliss added 2 assists and 4 of 4 free throws to help seal the Rams' fate.
"Ran out of gas a little," said coach Brian Moe, whose Rams didn't make a 3-pointer, after hitting 174 coming in. "You can't spot a great team 12 points in the first half. We came out in the first half and really played at their tempo, which is something we knew we couldn't do. We were taking quick shots and even the good shots we had within the offense we were taking faster than we normally do."
Wright scored all of his 8 points in the fourth quarter, and also finished with 8 rebounds. Mike Simpson added 7 points.
"Keith Ford, all those guys, they're great players," O'Rourke said. "They're really fast. They beat us in transition."