Boys basketball: Grant’s offense clicks in season-opening win over Elgin

Posted November 26, 2025 5:37 pm

By Dave Hess

Unselfishness might be the best word to describe Grant's impressive 94-41 win over Elgin on Wednesday in a first round game of the Tom Mueller Thanksgiving Tournament hosted by Crystal Lake Central.

Of 35 baskets Grant converted in the game, the Bulldogs (1-0) dished out 22 assists.

'We have a special group of players who are very unselfish," said Grant coach Wayne Bosworth. “We have a lot of depth who have been competing against each other for two and a half weeks. We were ready to play against a team other than ours. This is one of the best, deepest teams I have had."

Grant, led by Charles Schlicht’s 11 points, grabbed a 29-11 lead after one quarter of play.

"We were really ready to play," said Schlicht. “We have a really deep and unselfish team. Our guys find the open man. I got some good open shots and were able to hit them.”

Grant continued its dominance in the second quarter. Connecting on 11-of-16 shooting from the floor for 68% with 5 assists, the Bulldogs outscored the Maroons (0-1) 24-14 in the second quarter and led 53-25 at intermission.

Elgin didn't challenge the Bulldogs in the second half.

Grant, using 10 players for most of three quarters, connected on 35-of-65 for the game for 58%. The Bulldogs made 6-of-12 from the 3-point line while committing only 11 turnovers.

The winners landed five players in double digits. Schlicht led the Bulldogs with 20 points and 5 assists. With 15 third quarter points, Noah McMath added 19 points with 4 assists.

"We want to get better every day and every game," said McMath. “We want to win the conference (Northern Lake County) and a regional. We are very unselfish as a team."

Josh Gamboa added 15 points, Damarrion Smith scored 12 and Jayden Smith tallied 10 for the Bulldogs off the bench.

“The conference really looks strong with Wauconda as the favorite," said Bosworth. ”We feel we can be near the top. Grayslake Central, Grayslake North, Antioch and Lakes also look to be strong."

Ryan Varghese and Coreyon Johnson paced Elgin with 10 points each.