Fish story: Grayslake North handles Lakes

What do you do when the opposing team double-teams your leading scorer?

You go Fish.

Grayslake North needed A.J. Fish to step up against visiting Lakes, and the sophomore did.

His 23 points helped the Knights cruise to a 63-41 win in a nonconference boys basketball game Friday night.

Grayslake North (17-7) was coming off back-to-back losses for just the second time this season.

Lakes (8-18) extended its losing streak to four.

The 23-point effort was Fish's second in three games. He sank four 3-pointers in the first half.

"We had the two-game losing streak and we hadn't been scoring a lot," Fish said. "But we're trying come back strong for regionals."

"A.J. has had a huge second half of the season," Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh said. "He is difficult to match up with because he's so quick. Most teams are going to put their best defensive player on Teddy (Ludwick) so you are looking at their second- or third-best defender on someone who probably is just as good as Teddy."

Fish has hit double figures in eight games since the start of the new year.

"The past couple of games, we hadn't gotten any transitional points," Grunloh said. "Early in the first half, we got rebounds, we got some steals, and we turned them into some easy points, which allowed us to get the big lead."

Ludwick, who averages around 19 points per game, finished with 11 points, including 5 of 5 from the free throw line. He also had 8 assists and 3 steals, while senior center David Sparks scored 10 points.

"David had a nicer game for us tonight," Grunloh said. "He's been going through a little bit of a funk where he hasn't been scoring much."

Tanner Blain led Lakes with 21 points, including four 3-pointers, and 8 assists.

"(Grayslake North) is a good team, but we've been on a losing streak," Blain said. "I think we'll be good by regionals."

After Blain opened the second quarter with a 3, Grayslake North answered with 10 unanswered points to build a 23-8 lead and led 30-16 at halftime.

"Our offense was struggling and wasn't able to score," Lakes coach Chris Snyder said. "Grayslake North played a great game tonight. They shot the ball well and played tough defensively. It was a tough game for us."