Central prevails in Grayslake clash

The basketball team that never had captured more than 12 wins in a season and never had won as many games in a row had not seen this, either.

Grayslake North's girls had yet to see a team like Grayslake Central.

And not since losing their first three games of the season had the Knights seen themselves trailing at halftime.

Sixteen minutes later, they saw something else new. For the first time since Nov. 17, they witnessed an opponent pin a loss on them.

In undoubtedly the most anticipated girls basketball game between Grayslake Central and Grayslake North since the two schools split six years ago, the visiting Rams pulled away late to win 41-26 Tuesday night.

Grayslake Central (15-3, 5-0) took over sole possession of first place in the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division, while handing Grayslake North (13-4, 4-1) its first loss after 13 straight wins.

“They're a good team,” coach Steve Ikenn, whose Rams have won four straight and 15 of 16, said of the Knights. “They're well-coached, they play hard, they've got a lot of weapons ... and we were able to shut them down. The reason why we play the schedule that we play is to get us ready for games like this.”

While Grayslake Central opened the season with losses to Libertyville and Maine South and then faced the likes of Carmel and the host school in Warren's Blue Devil Classic, Grayslake North had not faced competition as formidable.

“I told the kids they hadn't been challenged in 13 games,” Knights coach Jim Sarver said. “We've led every game at halftime for 13 games.”

Despite Grayslake Central's boys basketball team playing a home game Tuesday, many students made the trip to Grayslake North to support the girls. Both sides were well represented, and fans provided plenty of noise.

“I thought we had great fan support, especially since our guys were at home,” Ikenn said.

“We did a lot of convincing (at school),” Rams point guard Claire Brennan, who led all scorers with 15 points, said with a grin.

“So many times (during the game) we didn't hear what I was (calling to run) because it was so loud in here. But it was fun.”

Up 10-6 after one quarter, Grayslake Central extended its lead to 18-8 midway through the second quarter, but Grayslake North's Allie Ceglarek answered with back-to-back baskets, including a 3-pointer. When Katie McGrath fed Joanna Guhl (5 points, 13 rebounds) for a layup in the closing seconds, the Knights had closed within 22-18.

“I thought we took their best punch in the first half, but then we still have to make baskets,” said Sarver, whose Knights were within four at halftime despite missing 7 free throws and shooting 6 of 25 from the floor. “I have to give (Grayslake Central) a lot of credit. I thought they were a little bit tougher than us tonight.”

Grayslake Central turned the ball over on its first six possessions of the third quarter, but the Rams never lost their lead and took a 27-21 advantage into the fourth.

The Knights never could catch up, despite McGrath's drive that got them within 27-23 with 7:12 left.

“We play different when we're ahead, and we play different when we're behind,” said McGrath, who had 6 points and 3 steals. “It obviously showed.”

Grayslake North shot only 20 percent from the field (9 of 44) and just 44 percent (7 of 16) from the foul line. Guard Skyler Jessop, center Morgan Dahlstrom and sub Michelle Lettenmair helped spark Grayslake Central defensively. Dahlstrom blocked 4 shots and grabbed 9 of her 13 rebounds in the fourth quarter. Lettenmair had 4 steals, while Jessop had a pair.

Jessop also limited Kendall Detweiler to 1 point.

“They played really hard defense,” McGrath said. “We haven't really played anyone that plays defense like that or compares to us.”

Brennan and Jessop (10 points) were the game's only double-digit scorers.

Three Knights — McGrath, Ceglarek and Brooke Sauer — had 6 points each.