Knights' Phillips takes over

Elizabeth Phillips possesses a good shot and good leadership qualities.

She demonstrated both Tuesday.

Phillips poured in a career-best 23 points, and Natalie Barczyk added 12 coming off the bench thanks to four 3-pointers, as Grayslake North defeated Lakes 58-36 in second-day action of the Lady Mustangs Turkey Shootout at Mundelein.

"I'm tying to get my team pumped up since it's the start of the season," Phillips said. "I'd like to see a winning streak get going. I worked hard throughout the game."

Phillips came out shooting and hitting in the first quarter against Lakes (0-2).

"Last year, we had problems scoring," said Phillips, who went 9 of 14 from the floor and dropped in three 3-pointers. "I want to show the rest of the team what we can do (as a team). I'm trying to be a team leader on and off the court."

Phillips broke a 5-5 tie by hitting three long-range jumpers, including a 3 that started the Knights (1-1) on a 13-5 run. They enjoyed an 18-10 advantage after a quarter.

"As a 5-foot-9 point guard, she is a tough match-up inside and out," Grayslake North coach Jim Sarver said. "The point guard is your leader and I think (our players) fed off that.

"Confidence is a huge factor and we can build off this. Once we get a lead, I'm pretty confident we can hold onto it."

Lakes stayed with Grayslake North and played an even second quarter. The Eagles trailed 33-25 at the break as Nickie Folinazzo scored all 4 of her points.

"I thought (Grayslake North) did great on fast breaks and took the ball to the basket," Lakes coach Elizabeth Hinkle said. "I thought we did well at the start, but we need to be quicker with our shots. We need to add things to our repertoire of stuff we can do.

"I'm pleased with what we're doing and we're getting the ball inside. Everything is positive and we're building on things."

Grayslake North created some distance in the third quarter with a run of 13-3 to extend the lead to 46-28.

"We kept our defensive intensity up in the third quarter," Sarver said. "We try to keep teams under 10 points in a quarter. It's one of our goals for the season."

Keshia Cunningham led the Eagles with 12 points and 5 rebounds.

Lakes will play Carmel at 6 p.m. today at Mundelein. Grayslake North resumes the tournament at 6 p.m. Thursday against Rolling Meadows.

Meadows 37, Carmel 35: At Mundelein, Rolling Meadows outscored Carmel 16-9 in the fourth quarter to erase a 26-21 deficit.

Tiffany Hendrickson scored a game-high 14 points to lead Carmel (1-1).

GBN 61, Prairie Ridge 44: At Mundelein, Glenbrook North received 18 points from Jenna Wallis.

Amanda Wallis and Natasha Poulopoulos added 10 points apiece.

Jessie Kulovsek scored 9 points to lead Prairie Ridge.