Grayslake North keeps the pressure on, shoots down Lakes

Playing Grayslake North for the second time in less than two weeks, Lakes' boys basketball team seemingly had momentum midway through the second quarter.

The Eagles had just tied the score. Grayslake North called timeout. The Knights then went on a 17-2 run and never looked back en route to a 68-53 nonconference win in Lake Villa on Saturday night.

"We huddled up and told ourselves that we wouldn't let up," Grayslake North point guard Jamal Thomas said. "We had some defensive stops and easy transition breaks, and we were able to get some buckets. It all came after the timeout."

Thomas finished with a game-high 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Aidan Einloth chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds for Grayslake North, which improved to 6-0.

"We didn't play great defense," Knights coach Todd Grunloh said. "(Lakes) moved a lot better. They played much more fundamentally sound in the half court. They were much different from the first time. We got stops, identified shooters much better, were able to get out into the open court and we were really dangerous."

The pace of the game was not what Lakes (3-2) wanted.

"(Grayslake North) thrives in that open court," Eagles coach Chris Snyder said. "Thomas really got them going. He's really a tough player to defend. We got back into the game and tied it, and then they hit us with that run that we really never recovered from. You know it's coming, but it's hard to stop."

Kyle Rohr led Lakes with 13 points, while Michael Behrendt added 12 on four 3-pointers. Jake Christensen (11 points) and Colton Jewell (10) also scored in double figures for Lakes.