Rams piling up lopsided victories
By Bryan Bonato Special to The News-Sun February 21, 2012 9:52PM
2/21/12 Arlington Heights Grayslake Central Grayslake North basketball game on Wednesday night, Feb. 21st. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
MARCH MADNESS FOR GIRLS
THURSDAY’S CLASS 4A ROUND OF 16
At Palatine — Zion-Benton (21-8) vs. Wheeling (14-18)
At New Trier — Loyola (24-7) vs. Glenbrook South (23-7)
(Winners meet Monday at Stevenson, 7:30 p.m.)
THURSDAY’S CLASS 3A ROUND OF 16
At Sycamore — Kaneland (20-9) vs. Belvidere N. (22-9)
At St. Viator — Grayslake Cent. (26-5) vs. Vernon H. (24-5)
(Winners meet Monday at Elgin, 6 p.m.)
Article Extras
Updated: March 23, 2012 8:11AM
If any fans of Grayslake Central’s girls basketball team have worked up a sweat so far in the Class 3A tournament, it has to be because they’re looking way, way ahead.
Certainly nothing that’s been directly in front of the Rams to date has been cause for worry.
After winning regional games by 31 and 25 points, Grayslake Central dominated crosstown rival Grayslake North 56-30 on Wednesday in the semifinals of the St. Viator Sectional.
In three tourney games, the Rams have given up 61 TOTAL points — 13, 18 and the 30 the Knights got on Tuesday.
Next up: Vernon Hills on Thursday night.
“As the playoffs approached, we talked about how we needed to turn it up a notch,” said Grayslake Central coach Steve Ikenn. “The last game of the season (a near-miss loss to 4A power Cary-Grove) was a big game for us. Even though we lost, it was a big, tough, physical game that got us mentally prepared for the playoffs.”
Senior Skyler Jessop had 19 points and six assists in Tuesday’s win. Morgan Dahlstrom had seven points and 15 rebounds.
“We knew we had to come out strong,” said Jessop. “North was playing with a lot of confidence. I thought our defense really took over the game in the second half.
“We’re a confident team, but we’re not cocky. We know we still have a lot of tough games left in front of us.”
Central led 28-17 at halftime when a perfectly executed inbounds play led to an uncontested layup by Dahlstrom.
In the second half, the Rams opened with a 13-4 run and the game was over.
The Knights (21-9) set a school record for wins in a season, and won their first regional title. They lost three times to Central.
“I give credit to our seniors,” said North coach Jim Sarver. “They’ve been part of our program for four years.
“Three of the girls have been four-year varsity players. They got us to where we’re at as a program. Getting to the final 32 is a good accomplishment after a 9-19 team last year and getting no respect coming into this year.”
Sophomore guard Kendall Detweiler had eight points to lead North in scoring.
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