Grayslake Central stops Wauconda

Starting out sluggishly wasn’t on the agenda for Grayslake Central’s boys basketball team in its Class 3A regional semifinal at Vernon Hills on Wednesday night.

The Rams were having problems holding on to the ball and were missing shots.

Summon Savonte McWilliams.

The junior came to the rescue off the bench.

McWilliams swiped the ball out of the hands of Wauconda dribblers three times.

“I just play good defense,” McWilliams said. “My strength is having long arms. I can poke the ball out rather easily.”

McWilliams ended up with 7 points and 6 steals, sparking No. 5 Grayslake Central to a 65-42 win over 12th-seeded Wauconda.

“I like to bring in the intensity off the bench and provide energy for the team,” McWilliams said.

Grayslake Central (16-12), which played its third straight game without starting center C.J. Stempeck, who was sick, will play host Vernon Hills (17-10) at 7:30 p.m. Friday for the regional championship.

Wauconda (8-21) had jumped out to a 7-2 lead. But McWilliams’ play helped Grayslake Central close the opening quarter with a 16-5 run, putting the Rams up 18-12.

“I am a worrier and I’m always worried,” Grayslake Central coach Brian Moe said of his team falling behind early. “Some games we get off big, and some games we don’t get off very well. I really don’t get to nervous until it gets to the end of the first quarter. At first, I thought we were in trouble, and then we hit shots.”

The Rams took full control in the second quarter. Jordan Taylor made 5 of his 11 points from the charity stripe, while Danny Reed scored 5 of his 10 points.

Grayslake Central held a 32-19 halftime lead and never looked back.

Rams senior Tim Abbott led all scorers with 18 points and also had 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

Wauconda was led by Tyler Gick’s 13 points and Connor Rueb’s 11.

“Grayslake Central’s pressure got to us,” Wauconda coach Scott Luetschwager said. “We tried to dribble through a couple of guys, but they have quick hands. It caused turnovers and led to their opportunities. The turnovers piled up and (Grayslake Central) ran with it.”