Chicago Senn 72, Grayslake North 68

Prior to the Grayslake North boys basketball team's first playoff game in program history last year, Waukegan was assessed a technical foul for dunking.

As a result, play began with a pair of free throws by the Knights.

"We were up 2-0 and then we lost (73-41)," coach Todd Grunloh said.

The same scenario played out Tuesday in a regional semifinal game against Chicago Senn. The No. 4 Bulldogs were given a technical foul for dunking, and the No. 15 Knights went up 1-0.

This time, though, it wouldn't be their only lead.

Grayslake North led by six points after three quarters only to fall 72-68.

"There were times last year we were intimidated before the game even started, and nothing could have been further from the truth tonight," Grunloh said. "They've been kicked around at times over the last two years, and if it was their night to go out, they were going out on their terms and bring it down to the wire."

The Knights (8-20) missed badly on two 3-pointers over the final minute that would have tied the score. But Senn (17-5) had trouble putting the game away. The Bulldogs missed three consecutive free throws before Travis Nesbitt converted on one to make it a two-possession game.

Senn (7 of 19) and Grayslake North (5 of 12) struggled all game from the free-throw line.

The Knights opened up the game with one of their best stretches of the season. They raced to a 15-6 lead and were up 21-11 after one quarter. Junior Brandon Schroth scored 11 of his 12 points during the first eight minutes.

In the second quarter, Senn senior guard Robert James scored 12 of his game-high 24 points. Senn outscored the Rams 29-8 and led 40-29 at halftime.

"They realized (James) could penetrate on pretty much anyone we put out there," Grunloh said. "That's what got them going."

Grayslake North returned the favor in the third quarter. The Knights put up 25 points and limited Senn to eight.

Grayslake North senior Clay Henricksen scored a team-high 21 points. Senior Tony Herman (14 points) also had a strong game. Sophomore Matt Pucher (9 points) hit a pair of 3-pointers.

"We came out fired up in the third quarter because we didn't want this to (become) a joke game," Henricksen said. "We knew we could play with them, and I'm proud of the way we stuck with it."

Grunloh said future Grayslake North team's will be indebted to this year's senior class.

"Any success we have in the future, you can't start the conversation without (talking about) them," he said. "They did the real work."