Rams Can't Quite Catch Warhawks at Sectional

There are a few examples of Grayslake Central basketball teams that had excellent talent but didn't get out of the regional.

So how did this Rams team that opened the season winning one game in the first six reach a sectional?

"Our senior class really figured out things towards the end of the season,'' said Central coach Brian Moe. "They were a great example of giving up something for the good of the team."

Basketball season closed on Tuesday night in Norridge. North Chicago also made the long trek to Ridgewood High School and opened up a 24-15 halftime lead. The Rams (17-13) made a furious comeback and tied this game late. The Warhawks prevailed 64-60.

"We gave up a ton of offensive rebounds in the first half,'' Moe said. "And turned the ball over too many times. But we played out of our heads in the second half. We just couldn't get over the hump."

The future of this club led the team in scoring. That was junior Jordan Taylor with 16 points. Sophomore Danny Reed chipped in 11 points. And Savonte McWilliams, a junior, added 9 points.

Now more on that senior class. Of course, the Rams missed the rebounding and inside presence of CJ Stempeck. The 6-foot-6 senior was sidelined with mono for the playoffs.

That other twin tower, Tim Abbott, proved to be quite a find for this team. Once given a starting assignment, he never looked back and became quite a force.

Three-point shooter Kyle Shepard also moves on. He earned a starting assignment based upon his defense but was a scoring threat. Sean Kirby gave the club some strong minutes off the bench. Soccer star Caleb Longenecker also graduates.

Looking ahead: There  are plenty of juniors expected to return. Leading scorer Taylor returns also with inside power Casey Boyle. McWilliams and a pair of strong guards in Sean Geary and Tyler Smith also have another year of eligibility.

"Our sophomores struggled a little,'' Moe said. "But there is some talent there."

Moe noted he did take away the team's best player in Reed. Moe was also pleased to see the freshman team win 13 games.

"As eighth-graders, they won three or four games,'' he said. "They are all about 6-2 and 6-3 and all football players. So they will give us a nice physical presence."

And the scouting report also shows the eighth-grade class is a strong one.