Grayslake North takes aim against Washington foes

City ball versus suburban ball versus rural ball.

Although there's no scientific data as proof, there does seem to be anecdotal evidence that high school basketball in each area of Illinois is styled a bit differently.

Just ask the Grayslake North boys basketball team.

The Knights are preparing to return to downstate Washington High School this weekend as part of the annual Martin Luther King tournament there that they participated in last year.

They are ready for what they weren't quite ready for last time.

"We couldn't believe the shooting we saw there," Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh said. "It's not like it is up here. Literally any kid who checks into the game down there can shoot from two to three feet outside the 3-point line and with great form.

"It was such an eye-opener. I mean, theses were beautiful shots, with perfect form, from every kid. Even our kids were like, 'We've never seen kids who can shoot like that.'"

So the Knights, who lost every game at Washington last year, figured that if they couldn't beat them, they would join them.

Over the last year, Grunloh and his staff have put a heavy emphasis on shooting drills. The coaches have also started evaluating shooting form more closely.

"We've spent so much time since that tournament in Washington last year just breaking down individual shots," Grunloh said. "We look at everything. We even videotape the kids."

Grunloh says that his team's shooting percentage has improved since last year and he's also noticed an improvement in the shooting form and efficiency of each individual player, particularly senior guard Lucas Buckels. Buckels went "all in" on the shooting form work.

He went from a reserve last year to a sixth man and then a starter this season.

"He's a kid you have to kick out of the gym," Grunloh said of Buckels. "He really worked on his shooting form and he's doing a great job. It's really helped his game and now it's almost impossible to get him off the floor."

What gives:

So are there just better shooters in the rural parts of Illinois?

Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh says it's impossible to make such a blanket statement, but that it's not just a coincidence that some of the best shooters he's seen recently are from rural high schools.

"I think there could be (a link to) AAU," Grunloh said. "I don't think there are as many AAU teams down there (in rural Illinois). If there's less AAU, maybe kids down there are playing in fewer games and maybe they're just in the gym working on their shooting more, the fundamentals, too.

"I'm not sure, but I think there could be something to that."

Grunloh remembers playing in a game last year at Washington against a guard from Peoria Notre Dame who scored 45 points on his team.

"That kid was a pure shooter," Grunloh said. "One of the best I've ever seen. The only kid I've seen up here even close to that was (former Lake Zurich star) Mike Kolze. Those two have just a beautiful shot. You can tell they live in the gym."

Coach Bowen:

The apple didn't fall far from the tree in the Bowen family.

Lee Bowen, a senior forward at Grayslake North, is the son of former Grayslake Central and Carmel coach Tim Bowen, who is now the head boys coach at Guerin Prep. Son is certainly taking after father in terms of his basketball IQ.

"Lee's knowledge of the game is way up there," Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh said. "When he's in the game, it's like having another coach on the floor.

"He's always non-stop talking, getting everyone in place, making sure everyone is on the same page.

"When he's on the bench, he's always talking to the coaches, pointing out things that he sees. He's also good at breaking down film. It's really nice."

Bowen transferred to Grayslake North from Carmel this year after playing the first three seasons of his career for his dad. He comes off the bench and is known for his rebounding and physical presence on defense.

"Lee is just 6-foot-1, but he offers a physical presence that we haven't had in a while," Grunloh said. "He's very strong, plus he plays much bigger than he really is."

Off point:

Warren certainly seemed to be making up for lost time in an 80-60 victory over Rockford East earlier this week.

The Blue Devils (5-9) had been struggling to put points on the board for the previous month, averaging just 35.8 points per game in the nine prior games.

The low-point came last week in a 36-23 loss to Lake Zurich. During the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils were 0-of-10 from the field with five turnovers.

"We're hoping the Rockford East game is a breakout game for us," Warren coach Ryan Webber said. "We shot well in that game. We're hoping that's contagious because we were really struggling before that."

Jake Falish finished with 28 points in the game and has been the one consistent scorer for Warren. He's averaging 13 points per game after not playing basketball last season in order to focus on baseball.

"Jake can shoot from three and he also does a good job of putting the ball on the floor and getting easy layups," said Webber, who believes that both Maurice Chambers and Jovan Jokic are capable of averaging double-figures as well.

"It's been great to have Jake back. He's been fitting right in. And to be a marked man as a team's No. 1 option after taking a year off is pretty impressive. He's worked so hard since the summer. He didn't miss a day in the weight room. I'm really happy for him and the way he's playing."

Not the defense:

While Warren's offense has been on shaky ground lately, with shooting woes over the last month, the defense has been stout.

The Blue Devils have given up more than 50 points only twice, and are averaging just 39 points allowed over the last month.

"Our defense has been really good, really solid," Warren coach Ryan Webber said. "We play extremely hard defensively. It's what has kept us in games when our shots haven't been falling. I give a lot of credit to our kids. We're always competitive and fiery and flying around and defending, never hanging our heads because our shots aren't falling. We never let shooting woes affect us defensively.

"If we could just get some of our shots to start falling, we'd really be on to something."

Man up, Mansfield:

There's never any guessing as to who Libertyville guard Jake Mansfield is going to match up with on defense.

He never even needs a name, or number.

"He just always guards the other team's best player," Libertyville coach Scott Bogumil said of Mansfield. "Jake is just a great defender. He's not out there thinking that he's going to go out and totally shut someone down. But he will make it difficult for that person."

Bogumil has put Mansfield on Mike Travlos of Lake Zurich, Robby Nardini of Vernon Hills, Connor Cashaw of Stevenson.

Teammate Ethan Fowkes has started to follow in Mansfield's footsteps. When Mansfield's out of the game, Fowkes will take on the role of defensive specialist.

"At Wheeling, Ethan was sick and missed some games and I remember Jake turned to him and said, 'You need to get well, I can't do this for all 32 minutes,'" Bogumil said with a laugh. "Both of them have done a great job for us with their defense. They've really helped get our team defense get going and that's why we're starting to play better."

Green on the go:

Last year, Round Lake had a do-everything player in Karnell Wright, who is now playing at CLC.

It didn't take long for someone to fill his shoes.

Michael Green is leading the Pathers in scoring (13 ppg), assists and blocks and ranks second in rebounds.

"He does a lot for us," Round Lake coach Jeremy Fisher said of Green. "He's got good knowledge for the game, and he really works hard on his shooting and skill work. He knew we had a role to fill when Karnell left and he stepped right in and worked his butt off.

"I just wish we had more guys who could step up and take some of the pressure off him."

Round Lake will need all hands on deck next week. Stevenson, the No. 1 team in the state, will visit the Panthers' gym on Tuesday for a North Suburban crossover.

"We're going to give them as much of a fight as we can," Fisher said. "We know we're the underdogs, but I think our guys are really excited to see what they can do against a team like that. They've heard of all their big-name players, they've read about them and I think they're going to love the challenge of playing against guys like that."

Balliu back:

Despite missing its starting point guard for eight games, Lakes has gone 5-3 and weathered the storm fairly well.

Now, the surging Eagles are about to get another jolt.

Jake Balliu, who has been out nursing a severely sprained ankle, is planning to make his return for the Eagles' big rivalry game tonight against Antioch.

"We're excited to have him back, especially since he's about a week and a half ahead of schedule," Lakes coach Chris Snyder said. "This is a great game for him to come back on. The fact that it's Antioch adds a little bit there for him."