Thomas' return gives Grayslake Central a lift
A couple of black eyes, a hyperextended knee and even a broken nose never kept Grayslake Central basketball player Christopher Thomas off the court for too long last season.
He somehow played in every game and, in fact, led the Rams in charges taken.
Finally, a torn left ACL sidelined Thomas for an extended period of time. The knee injury happened during AAU ball last spring.
It was not going to cause him to miss his entire senior season, however. That shouldn't be surprising considering the toughness Thomas has exhibited in his Rams career. The senior guard made his season debut last Friday night against Lakes and sank a 3-pointer during Grayslake Central's 64-53 win. He then came off the bench again and made a pair of 3-pointers the following night against visiting Grayslake North, which won 73-66.
"He hasn't had a ton of practice," Rams coach Kosta Kougias said. "We've talked about getting him just limited minutes until he gets his legs under him."
Thomas will bring not only three-point shooting and toughness but leadership down the stretch.
"He's my guy," Rams guard Antonio Crews said after pouring in a career-high 29 points against Grayslake North. "He's a heck of a ballplayer. To have him back is going to help us a lot."
Thomas' return is especially significant since the Rams have only five seniors in Thomas, Crews, Coby Moe, Daniel Guckenberger and Kevin O'Brien.
"It's good to have him back with this group of seniors," Kougias said of Thomas. "It's hard for him to watch from the bench, but he's at practice when he can be at practice, when he's not in physical therapy. He's brothers with these guys, and they cheer for him. He's been at everything. "
Lucky 13: Grayslake Central coach Kosta Kougias got emotional talking about his team following the Rams' home loss to Grayslake North on Saturday night.
The Rams headed into Tuesday's game against North Chicago with only 8 wins, but that doesn't mean their coach is disappointed in the season.
"Those 13 boys on this roster ease my time away from my family," Kougias said. "They just show up. I've got 13 'sons,' two managers and an assistant coach. They make me proud."
Panthers' progress is obvious: After not winning a game last season, Round Lake is one victory shy of double digits. And that's despite a roster that's thin on varsity experience.
Sophomore Hakim Williams and junior Kevonne Peterson, a pair of transfers from Iowa, have provided scoring and athleticism, while Nick Pierre has looked more comfortable after playing on varsity as a freshman last winter. Two other sophomores, football quarterback Isaiah Nixon, and recent call-up Deveauntay McNeal, have flashed potential too.
First-year coach Jay Iden has his Panthers playing up-tempo and using their athleticism to pressure the ball and trap.
Round Lake (9-13) has not posted double-digit wins since going 10-16 in 2006-07.
"I'm always optimistic. I love these kids," Iden said. "We've come a long way."