Took a trip up to Wisconsin (just kidding), but close enough. Northern Lake County conference battle between the leaders Grayslake Central and Lakes. Here we go:
#24 Central (Grayslake) 55 Lakes (Lake Villa) 45: For about two quarters in a half, I wondered how good is this Grayslake Central team? They were in a big time struggle with Lake for first place in the conference. Game started slowly offensively as the defenses ruled and made things tough for both teams. Lakes led after one quarter 11-10, and 21-20 at half time. Lakes started the third quarter with a 10-0 run to go up 31-20. Timeout Grayslake Central. I commented to my friend Matt Now (a Lakes alum), time for the star to take his place at the table (well not exactly those words but......
DENNIS ESTEPP shows up (along with Sam Cooper): One thing to add, senior center Jake Gibson (6'6") was on the bench with 3 fouls and reentered the fray. Estepp (6'1" point guard) drives to the basket on next possession and draws a shooting foul. Hits 1 of 2 free throws and Graylake Central goes on a 5-0 run after the timeout to make it 31-25. Estepp hits two LONG THREE POINTERS, then assisted on three consecutive threes by Cooper (6'2" guard) to from the third quarter into the middle of the fourth quarter to break the game open. Graylake Central led 40-38 after three quarters. Grayslake Central had a 46-38 lead with about 4 minutes left and cruised from there. Cooper ended up with a game high 21 points and 3 assists. Estepp had 21 points 5 assists and two steals. Gibson had 7 points 12 rebounds and 6 blocks. Grayslake Central goes to 16-1, 5-0 in conference.
Lakes gave it a game just did not have enough offensive firepower and their star senior forward Brock Marino (6'6") battled foul trouble throughout the game. He ended up with 13 points. Cooper LoPriore had 11 points. Lakes drops to 11-5, 4-1 in conference.
Looking to March: Grayslake Central is hosting a Class 3A Sectional this year. They have a good chance to win a Sectional title as they have solid guard play which is essential especially in post season play, take care of the ball, and have two excellent three point shooters at the guard spots in Estepp and Cooper. Senior Kai Taylor (5'10" guard) is a big time glue guy. If Jake Gibson can stay out of foul trouble could be in great position to get to Sears Centre Supersectional. Biggest threats are Lake Forest, St Patrick (Chicago) and St Viator (Arlington Heights). Should be an exciting next two months.
Notes:
Bolingbrook beats East (Oswego) by 2 to get a leg up in seeding and psychological advantage for a possible Sectional playoff meeting.
The Mekhi's: three of them are on the top performers list. Did not know that was such a common name in the United States?
Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) beats Bloom Township (Chicago Heights) in two overtimes.
Ikee Brooks of Hansberry College Prep (Chicago) a triple double tonight!!!!!
Top performers:
Daniel Johnson, Whitney Young (Chicago) 33 points 10 rebounds (double/double)
Mekhi Cooper, Bolingbrook 24 points
Mekhi Lowery, East (Oswego) 15 points 16 rebounds (double/double)
Mekhi Doby, Guilford (Rockford) 18 points
Adrian Agee, Auburn (Rockford) 23 points
Vincent Rainey, Thornton Township (Harvey) 21 points
Tylon Tolliver, Lincoln Way East 29 points
BJ Powell, Lincoln Way East 18 points (freshman)
George Bellevue, Lincoln Way East 17 points
Raeshom Harris, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights) 30 points
Cam Cerese, Lake Park (Roselle) 32 points
Luke Williams, North (Naperville) 19 points (four star football recruit)
Armin Aliloski, Taft (Chicago) 15 points 13 rebounds (double/double) 3 steals
Anthony Demirov, North (Crystal Lake) 22 points 4 assists 4 steals (sophomore)
Payton Pitts, Frances Parker (Chicago) 26 points 4 assists 4 steals
Caleb David, Frances Parker (Chicago) 18 points
Logan Brown, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) 23 points
Al Brooks Jr, Hansberry College Prep (Chicago) 27 points 16 rebounds (double/double) 6 blocks (sophomore)
Ikee Brooks, Hansberry College Prep (Chicago) 22 points 11 rebounds 12 assists (triple double) 7 Steals.
Cordy Johnson, Michele Clark (Chicago) 25 points 4 assists 3 steals
Gyton Morris, Michele Clark (Chicago) 15 points 10 rebounds (double/double) 2 blocks
Jayden Tyler, Homewood Flossmoor 18 points
Connor Williams, Stagg 28 points
Drew Scharnowki, Central (Burlington) 31 points 15 rebounds (double/double) 6 blocks
Braeden Carlson, Wauconda 26 points 6 rebounds 4 assists 2 steals
Tyler Tylka, Wauconda 14 points 10 rebounds (double/double) 5 assists 3 blocks 3 steals
Shaheed Solebo, Lane Tech (Chicago) 18 points
Melvin Holder, Von Steuben (Chicago) 19 points
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