A solution, quickly, for Grayslake Central
Slow starts had been a problem for the Grayslake Central boys basketball team earlier this season.
Problem solved.
The Rams ran out to a 21-3 start at Waukegan on Saturday and kept pressing hard to the finish en route to a 64-45 nonconference victory.
It comes after fast starts in their previous two games.
"We were struggling, but the last few games have been better," Grayslake Central coach Kosta Kougias said. "Tuesday night we scored 17 in the first quarter, Thursday night we scored 19 and we had 23 tonight.
"It's where we want to be. We've got a heck of a lot more patience offensively. Guys are recognizing they don't have to settle for jump shots. That's been a big part of it. And we've also gotten some easy buckets off our defense. The defense has really picked it up."
Grayslake Central, which improves to 12-10, held Waukegan (6-21) to just 7 points in the first quarter. The Rams took a 23-7 lead into the second quarter.
"We got close to the basket, we fed our big guy (Jack Beckman) and we shot a lot of free throws," said Grayslake Central forward Sam Ruhlmann, who finished with a team-high 15 points. "Our offense wasn't clicking quite as much earlier this season. Now, we're getting to the basket, not settling for jump shots, we're getting fouled and we're putting a lot more pressure on the other team."
Waukegan was forced to dig out of a big hole right away, something Grayslake Central could relate to. The Rams were having to dig out of big holes back when they were starting slow.
"We had to learn to dig ourselves out of holes," Ruhlmann said. "We know about the sense of urgency (Waukegan was) feeling. It's not easy."
And yet, the host Bulldogs, playing without two of their top players (Carson Newsome and Tremayne Gwinn) due to suspensions, were able to make up some significant ground.
In the second quarter, Waukegan opened with a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to just 9 points, which is where it stayed at halftime (34-25). Senior Jachai Taylor-Ford scored 10 of his game-high 27 points in the second quarter for Waukegan.
"I was real proud because we started playing hard," Taylor-Ford said. "We just didn't have enough energy in the first quarter and (Grayslake Central) came in here and they were dominating us."
Grayslake Central kept Waukegan at arm's length in the third quarter and took a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Rams poured it on to finish, outscoring Waukegan 18-11 in the fourth.
"The start for us was complete lack of energy, motivation, pride, just an embarrassing way to start," Waukegan coach Mike Wasielewski said. "Jachai (Taylor-Ford) was great for us though. I don't know where we would be this season without him. He literally carried us and made the game respectable. At least in the second quarter, we made an effort to battle back. But when you have an 18-point hole, it's almost impossible."
Waukegan also got double-figures out of Cameron Miller. He finished with 12 points.
Grayslake Central had two other players in double-figures. David Llorens and Beckman scored 11 points apiece.