Erickson's efforts help Knights have hot day

Lauren Erickson sat in a front-row bleacher seat in Woodstock's auxiliary gym with a bag of ice wrapped around her right ankle.

Outside, a blizzard was in full force.

Talk about cold reality. Last winter Erickson was living in West Palm Beach, Fla., where "it's always hot," she said.

She moved in July and enrolled at Grayslake North.

Welcome to winter, Chicago-style.

"I actually like it," said Erickson, smiling. "I like the snow."

Believe it or not, Saturday was not a bad day for Erickson. She and her teammates were actually probably feeling warm and fuzzy after beating Wauconda 62-60 in overtime in the Woodstock/Richmond-Burton holiday tournament.

Erickson, a 5-foot-9 sophomore forward, led the way with a season-high 20 points and 11 rebounds. She sank three 3-pointers. Natalie Barczyk added 14 points, including a pair of 3s, and Ali Vlahos chipped in 9 points coming off the bench on three 3-pointers.

Grayslake North opened the tournament in the morning with a 50-33 win over Lakes.

"The second (win) was one you want to define your program with," Knights coach Jim Sarver said.

Grayslake North, which won 3 games in its inaugural campaign last season, improved to 5-6. It was the first time the Knights had won an OT game and first time they had triumphed since losing center Alex Lowry to a season-ending knee injury nearly two weeks ago.

"They're strong (physically)," Wauconda coach Tim Bartusch said. "They're not fast, but they're strong and they hit the boards."

"We just know we're better this year," Erickson said. "We just want to prove to everybody that we can play and do our best."

Wauconda (6-3), which started the day with a 58-34 win over Harvard, got a season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds from 6-foot-1 junior Lauren Mead. Sophomore point guard Kate Martino added 16 points, 10 steals and 6 rebounds.

Wauconda freshman Tammy Ellis (9 points) sent the game to overtime tied 54-54 by hitting a baseline shot with 28 seconds left. She had beaten the third-quarter buzzer with a shot from midcourt, pulling the Bulldogs within 43-42.

In the extra session, Elizabeth Phillips (8 points, 9 rebounds) gave Grayslake North the lead for good. Erickson followed with a layup to make it 60-56 but twisted her ankle coming down and did not return to the game.

"I should be able to play on Monday (against Marengo at Richmond-Burton)," she said.

Grayslake North prevailed despite committing 38 turnovers. The Knights averted a second overtime when Ellis' runner at the buzzer rolled off the rim.

"I thought my kids stuck with it," Sarver said. "It shows that they've really learned how to play."

"All year long we get the turnovers and then we can't score once we get the ball back," Bartusch said. "Sometimes we just rush too much, but our defense does a nice job of creating turnovers."

Grayslake N. 50, Lakes 33: Lauren Erickson scored a game-high 13 points to lead the Knights at Woodstock.

Grayslake North also received 10 points apiece from Hilary Kuhl, Amanda Leon and Elizabeth Phillips.

Nora Kenney and Keshia Cunningham scored 9 and 8 points, respectively, for Lakes, which played without forward Mandy Schellinger, who had a family commitment.

The Eagles were within 24-22 in the middle of the third quarter but trailed 34-25 heading into the fourth en route to their 68th straight defeat.

Lakes first-year coach Elizabeth Hinkle continues to focus on baby steps for her players.

"When stuff gets tight they sometimes start turning the ball over," she said. "They did a much better job (against Grayslake North). … And their boxing out is much improved.

"We're positive, the girls are positive, because we look at realistic goals."

Wauconda 58, Harvard 34: Lauren Mead scored 17 points and Tammy Ellis added 12 for the Bulldogs in the first game of the day at Woodstock.

Kate Martino chipped in 9 for Wauconda.

Harvard 40, Lakes 31: The Eagles were within four points of the lead in the fourth quarter, but came up empty again at Woodstock.

Lakes (0-13) saw its losing streak hit 69 games. Katie LaTour scored 11 points for the Eagles and Keshia Cunningham had 10.

Harvard's Kelsey Martin led all scorers with 19 points.

Round Lake 35, Burlington Central 34: Amber Phillips' putback with 4 seconds left lifted the Panthers in their second game of the day at Woodstock.

Labrenthia Murdock led Round Lake (10-2) with 14 points.

Round Lake 44, CL South 32: Jazzamin Rivers scored 16 points for the Panthers in their first game of the day at Woodstock.