Grayslake Central falls to Zion-Benton

You might think once the Zion-Benton lead hit double figures, that might have ended the boys basketball game with the young Grayslake Rams.

No, the Rams did not have a chance to win in the final seconds. However, Central was within a 3-pointer in the final seconds.

"Zion is definitely a good team,'' said Grayslake senior guard Tony Crews. "We only have four or five seniors so it's a heavy junior group."

After one quarter, the Rams led by a single point at 15-14. Even at halftime, Central trailed by a single point at 29-28.

Zion edged the Rams, 72-68, on Friday night at the Bison Classic in Buffalo Grove.

"I'm proud of their effort,'' said former Central star Brian Centella, who was filling in for head coach Kosta Kougias, who was away on family business. "When you go down by 10, it can turn into 20 so fast. I like that we fought all the way back."

On a steal and layup from Daniel Guckenberger (7 points), the Rams led early in the third quarter, 37-36. That's when the Zee-Bees caught fire. On a rebound bucket from Zion's Kent Shepard (11 points), the Zion lead reached double figures at 56-43.

"I love the guys on this team,'' Crews added. "They always fight back. We had a good first quarter and stayed in the game."

The 3-pointer brought the Rams back into the game. Ethan Boelens dropped in the game's first trey and Central had a quick 3-2 lead. On his fourth 3-pointer of the night, the Rams had melted the Zion lead to just 5 points at 57-52.

Crews was still in single digits in scoring in the final quarter but he would lead the Rams with 17 points as he headed to the rim with steals. His old-fashioned 3-point play made it 69-65 Zion. His reverse layup made it 71-68.

Coby Moe landed a pair of 3s and finished with 13 points. The tallest Ram, 6-foot-7 Grant Hardy, checked in 9 points and 10 rebounds.

"I love competing in this very competitive basketball tournament,'' Centella added.