Around The Horn With The Rams

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL:

After beating Senn 54-13 in the Regional Semi-Final, the Rams defeated Johnsburg 43-18 for their second consecutive Regional Title. They then advanced to the Sectional Semi-Finals in Arlington Heights.

The Rams next defeated their cross-town rival Grayslake North Knights 56-30.

The Lady Rams lost a tight regional final game to the Vernon Hills Cougars 40-39. It was a last second rebound basket at the buzzer that ended their season. Grayslake led 20-19 at the half and ended the 3rd quarter with a 34-27 advantage. But the Cougars clawed back and pulled off the upset when a missed shot bounced right into the hands of a Vernon Hills player who put it back in at the buzzer for the win.

The Rams finished with a 26-6 record making it two years in a row with at least 26 victories, which is no small accomplishment.

Skyler Jessop and Sarah Kuligowski advanced to the semi-finals of the state 3-point shooting contest. The semi-finals took place Thursday, March 1 at ISU Redbird Arena. There were 4 groups of 8 shooters and the top 4 in each group will advance to the finals on Friday, March 2.

Congratulations to Coach Steve Ikenn and his staff and the Lady Rams who have provided many thrills and victories for their fans.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL:

The Rams are currently 21-7 for the season and play for the Regional Title this Friday, March 2.

2-17-12

Grayslake Central 69, Woodstock North 47

The Rams took the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division Championship with this win, combined with a Grayslake North loss to Crystal Lake Central. Jordan Taylor scored 20 points, Sean Geary added 16 and Savonte McWilliams threw in an even dozen. Danny Reed also poured in 12 points. Casey Boyle was out due to an ankle injury suffered in the Crystal Lake Central game.

2-21-12

Grayslake Central 45, Grayslake North 57

The Knights took advantage of Casey Boyle’s absence to trounce the Rams by a dozen points in a game that North totally dominated. Jordan Taylor was held to 10 points by a stifling defense. Danny Reed scored 9 points while Savonte McWilliams and Sean Geary each added 8. The Knights had lost earlier in the season at Central when their center Big Ben Guhl was unable to play.

2-24-12

Grayslake Central 52, Huntley 47

Playing for the first ever Fox Valley Championship between the Fox and Valley Division leaders, the Rams were aided by the return of 6’9" pivot man Casey Boyle. Danny Reed led the Rams with 14 points. Boyle and Jordan Taylor each threw in 10. Savonte McWilliams added 6 with a big all around game.

2-28-12

IHSA Regional Semi-Final

Grayslake Central 49, Antioch 45

The Rams won a tough game against the home team Sequoits thanks to clutch free throw shooting. The game was marked by an intense effort by both squads that necessitated the officials talking with players of both teams on several occasions.

NEXT UP:

The Grayslake Central Rams play their cross-town rival Grayslake North Knights for the Regional Title at 7:30 p.m. tonight, March 2, at Antioch High School. Get there early because the gym will be packed with Grayslake fans of both teams. This will be a royal battle. Both teams should be at full strength with pivot men Casey Boyle of Central and Ben Guhl of North playing key roles in the game’s outcome.

WRESTLING:

Senior Dylan Hay went into the tournament ranked 8th at 145 lbs. He went 3-2 at the state tournament placing 5th in the state.

"Dylan won his first match 6-5 over #1 Lalowski from Sycamore," said Coach Dan Catanzaro. "Dylan was down 4-0 before mounting a great comeback that had Assembly Hall buzzing. He then beat #7 Montalvo from Montini 8-2. He gave up the opening takedown before dominating the rest of the match. He then lost 12-6 to #3 Mayes from Mascoutah in the semi-finals. Dylan struggled with his athleticism but fought the entire 6 minutes. In the semi-final wrestlebacks he lost to #2 Bass from Yorkville 6-0. Bass was upset earlier in the tournament and wrestled very well against Dylan. In the 5th place match, Dylan beat #9 Major from Burlington Central by a score of 7-6. He was thrown to his back in the 1st period, but otherwise dominated the match."

Senior Joey Valdivia went into the tournament ranked 3rd. He went 3-1 to place 2nd in the state. Valdivia took 3rd in state last year as a junior.

"Joey won his first match over #7 Tomala from Lemont by a score of 23-9," said Catanzaro. "Joey was thrown for 5 points in the 3rd, but otherwise was dominant. Tomala would go on to take 3rd place, so you can see that the drop off from #1 and #2 to #3 was pretty significant. In his next match he pinned unranked Walker from Galesburg in 1:15. In the semi-finals he beat #2 Davis from Sycamore 5-3. Joey struggled to score on the defensive wrestler but he was never in trouble of giving up any points he didn’t chose to give up. In the finals, he got beat by #1 Harrah from CLC. In their three meetings the scores went from getting pinned in under a minute, to losing by 8, to losing by a 6-2 score. Joey was the only wrestler who went the distance with Harrah, and the only wrestler to score on him this weekend. If Joey had not been injured for the month of December, who knows what would have happened."

Jimmy Molitor, a 3-year veteran who often wrestles opponents that outweigh him, went into the tournament unranked and finished 2-2 over the weekend.

"Jimmy won his first match over #3 Fritz from Marmion 3-1," Catanzaro said. "Jimmy scored a takedown with 1-second left to get the win. He then lost to #2 Ruano from Montini by a score of 14-3. Jimmy then beat #11 Bennett from Chatham Glenwood 4-2. Jimmy turned him to his back in the 3rd period for the decisive points. In the quarterfinal wrestlebacks, Jimmy lost to #1 Goodman from Bowen 2-1. Jimmy had him cradled up in the 3rd period, but couldn’t get the back points on the defensive mined CPS champion. Ruano and Goodman went on to place 4th and 3rd respectively both dominating the wrestlers who took 5th and 6th. We believe that Jimmy was the 5th best wrestler in the state, but his draw kept him from medaling. Still a great season from a 3rd year wrestler who played basketball as a freshman."

Looking back on the season, Coach Cat said, "Overall it was a great tournament for GCHS. We tied the school record for the 2nd consecutive year with 2 state place winners. Joey’s 2nd place finish ties Wes Anderson for the highest finish in school history."