Hardy's a handful as Grayslake Central rolls

At 6 feet 7 and 208 pounds, Grayslake Central senior center Grant Hardy makes for a towering target of basketball opponents.

Teams will try to punish him in the post or test his toughness. That's especially the case when he faces a squad that doesn't boast a player anywhere near his size.

"It's tough to stay focused when there is that physicality," Hardy said. "I can't lie. Sometimes it does get to me. You just got to slow down and play through it."

He had no problem keep his composure against Marian Central on Thursday in the final day of pool play in Jacobs' Hinkle Holiday Classic. Hardy's season-high 19 points, including a two-handed dunk late, and 14 rebounds led Grayslake Central to a 59-43 win over a Hurricanes team whose tallest starter stood 6-3.

"I was pretty locked in," Hardy said after shooting 7 of 9 from the floor and 5 of 6 from the foul line.

"Monster game," Grayslake Centella coach Brian Centella said of his second-year varsity starter. "What I was proud of was that there were a few times where he was getting bumped and slapped, and he didn't complain. He didn't say a word. He just played through the contact and said, 'I got to finish stronger.' He did that."

Ben Moscinski led Marian Central (2-9, 0-3 tourney) with 12 points, Jacob Shukis had 9 and 6 rebounds, and Ryan Saxelby came off the bench to score 8 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Shukis, freshman Jake Giangreco and Ben Shukis also hit 3s for the Hurricanes.

"They have some shooters," Hardy said. "Some of them not on the scouting report buried a few 3s that we weren't ready for."

Since losing to host Jacobs in its tournament opener, Grayslake Central (4-7) has won two in a row.

"These last couple of games has really been about finding our identity," Hardy said. "We were struggling earlier in the year (0-5 start). After the loss to Jacobs, we watched some film and we really didn't like what we saw."

The Rams found their identity - toughness and togetherness.

"We have a ton to work on still," Centella said. "But I love the effort, the intensity and the togetherness that we've playing with. Before any of the Xs and Os, you got to have that stuff. I thought the last two games we showed that."

Hardy's bucket in the low post with 3 seconds left before halftime had Grayslake Central up 28-20. Jacob Shukis' 3 pulled Marian Central within 35-31 with 2:32 left in the third, but the Rams' Daniel Rogers scored 4 points, including a pair of technical-foul shots, during a 6-0 run, and the Hurricanes never threatened again

"We're outmanned physically in most games, but we're trying to just battle," Marian Central coach Charley Walsh said. "Our whole thing is, 'Win a possession, move on.' For the most part, I've been happy with the attitude, the effort, the energy. The skills and the strategy will come."

Rogers finished with 18 points (two 3-pointers) and 9 rebounds.

"He's a really good player," Centella said. "He's smart, he stretches the floor, he can make 3s, he can play inside, and he's a good free-throw shooter. He's another senior who brings a lot to the table for us."

Dillan Dumanlang added 10 points for Grayslake Central. Tyler Tiffany (7 rebounds, 2 points) and Zoel Martinez (5 points, 6 boards) played well off the bench.

"That's a good team," Walsh said. "I thought we did a good job neutralizing (Hardy) for most of the game."