Carmody has the last laugh for Grayslake North
They can tease Grayslake North junior guard Nick Carmody by calling him “Freshman” and asking him “Where’s your mommy?”, as Lakes’ spirited student fans did Tuesday night.
That’s OK because Grayslake North’s fans know they have a rock star in Carmody. Well, at least a rock-solid basketball player.
“Bieber?” Grayslake North senior Zack Krupp said. “That’s what we call him. Justin Bieber.”
“That’s my nickname,” Carmody said with a sheepish smile. “I used to have long hair.”
Carmody, 5 feet 7 with short hair and boyish looks, makes his home fans scream and coach Todd Grunloh giddy with his effort on the court.
The little guard played big in Grayslake North’s 49-42 win over host Lakes in a nonconference game.
Making his second straight start, Carmody scored 8 points, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers, as the Knights won their third straight, while ending the Eagles’ four-game winning streak.
“We kind of tagged him as the backup point guard to Mark (Hall),” Grunloh said. “We knew he could do some good things. ... He’s like a little water bug. He kind of jump-starts our offense in terms he cuts better anyone else, and he gives you another point guard out there.’
With Grayslake North (5-2) trailing 28-26 late in the third quarter, Carmody was fouled on a three-point try. He made 2 of 3, despite the teasing by Lakes’ fans, pulling the Knights even.
“I just laugh it off,” Carmody said. “Just got to go with the flow.”
AJ Fish’s putback with 40 seconds left gave Grayslake North a 30-28 edge heading into the fourth. The Knights — 11-of-36 shooting from the floor through three quarters — hit their first two shots of the fourth, on Krupp’s pump move and Danny Mateling’s 3-pointer, and never relinquished the lead.
Lakes (6-4), which led 20-15 at halftime, got outscored 34-22 in the second half.
“When push came to shove, I guess we weren’t ready for the big atmosphere,” said Eagles junior Justin Bergeron, who grabbed 10 rebounds and scored both of his baskets on putbacks. “We just got to get back to practice and start working hard.”
Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the opening half, with Grayslake North going 5 of 30 and Lakes making just 7 of 25 shots, but Grunloh had an answer to explain that.
“I thought both teams played unbelievable defense,” Grunloh said. “I told our kids, ‘Our shots aren’t dropping. Give (Lakes) the credit. They were the ones who really forced us into some uncomfortable shots.’ ”
Grunloh was proud of his team’s conditioning, which revealed itself as the game progressed. The Knights’ starting five barely left the floor.
“We were a little shaky in the beginning, putting up rough shots and not getting good shots,” said Krupp, who had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.” But in the second half we totally came out (strong) and started knocking down shots.”
Carmody, despite his lack of height, grabbed 6 rebounds.
“We practice boxing out a lot,” Carmody said. “I just got to put all my effort toward it because obviously I’m not the tallest guy.”
Carmody’s effort, Grunloh said, earned him his starting position, and the new starter is taking advantage of his extended playing-time.
“I love it,” Carmody said. “I get to play with all my friends even more than I normally do. So it’s great.”
Besides Krupp, Mateling scored in double figures for Grayslake North with 11 points. Fish had 9 points and 11 rebounds, and Hall contributed 8 points and 8 boards.
Justin Schneider had 10 points and 5 rebounds for Lakes. Tanner Blain’s 9 points came on three 3-pointers. Jake Kohler totaled 8 points and 10 rebounds.
The Eagles’ defense was solid most of the night.
“One of the things we always stress is defense, defense, defense,” Bergeron said. “We’re in a bad (shooting) slump right now, but we just have to keep trusting our defense and shots will fall.”