Grayslake Central stays cool, stops Grayslake North

When the Grayslake Central boys basketball team visited Grayslake North on Jan. 12, the Rams surged to a 19-2 lead on their way to a double-digit victory.

The second time around Grayslake North came out blistering the nets. The Knights made their first four shots and led 10-2 barely two minutes into Wednesday's game at Grayslake Central.

"We couldn't have scripted it any better," Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh said.

But the Rams have too many veterans to panic. Grayslake Central saw five players score in double figures and the Rams stayed perfect in the Fox Valley Fox Division with a 78-67 victory.

"We couldn't play Knights basketball," Rams sophomore Jordan Taylor said. "We had to play our game."

This was the ninth consecutive victory for the Rams (15-6, 8-0). Grayslake North dropped to 8-10, 3-4.

With senior Josh Rappaport (11 points) struggling with his shot throughout the game, the Rams' Andrew Sipes (19 points), Matt Murphy (season-high 19 points), Cameron Nelson (12 points) and Taylor (11 points) helped shoulder the scoring load.

"We've relied on our depth all year," coach Brian Moe said. "It served us well tonight."

Murphy buried a trio of 3-pointers. His previous high for the season was 13 points.

"They were playing a 2-3 zone and I had some open looks," Murphy said.

Added Moe: "There are games where we need him to stretch the defense."

Grayslake Central trailed 16-9 at the end of the first quarter, and the Rams did not take their first lead until a rebound basket by Taylor made it 30-28. Taylor, listed at 5-foot-8, used his leaping ability for a nifty putback.

Taylor wasn't the only guard having success in the lane. Grayslake North senior point guard Matt Pucher, 5-foot-10, scored several baskets in close. He finished with a game-high 20 points.

"He can really elevate," Grunloh said.

Taylor had 4 steals and used his quickness to apply constant on-the-ball pressure.

"He takes on the other team's point guard and makes him work the entire game," Moe said. "That will wear on players."

Grayslake Central did not put the game away until the final minute. The Knights never went away thank in part to hitting seven 3-pointers. In addition to Pucher's 20 points, the Knights had strong offensive games from Myles Siemsen (12 points) and Chris Nicolosi (11 points). Pucher, Teddy Ludwick (8 points) and Siemsen each hit a pair of 3-pointers.

The Rams were relentless on the offensive glass. Rappaport and Sipes each grabbed 8 rebounds.

"We played well the whole game but they have so many weapons," Grunloh said. "We gave them second-chance (points) and they're tough enough with one opportunity."

As part of an ongoing school effort led by the student council, Grayslake Central players took the court for warmups in shirts that read "Help Haiti." Moe passed up his customary suit and sported the T-shirt throughout the game.