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Grayslake North survives another stern test from Grant

Good news all the way round for Grayslake North.

First of all, the Knights' boys basketball team has advanced to Wednesday's regional matchup with home-standing Fremd.

Maybe more importantly, North (17-10) won't have to play three-game winner Grant ever again this season.

For the second time in less than three weeks, North barely escaped the grasp of the Bulldogs. On Monday night, underdog Grant took a halftime lead, this one 30-27. With less than three minutes to play, the Grant lead was 56-51.

Yet once again, the Knights rallied to beat Grant again by 6 points, 65-59 in a Class 4A regional opener in Palatine.

Just maybe the teams are too much alike.

"They are just a tough matchup for us,'' said Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh. "Both teams know each very well."

North had an exceptional game from 6-foot-5 Aidan Einloth (25 points, 11 rebounds).

"It's one of those Lake County rivalries,'' Einloth said. "We knew what we were getting into tonight."

Grant junior James Mobley noted the teams are closer than one might imagine.

"A lot of our teammates are friends with them,'' Mobley said. "They text each other. They are friends off the court."

Mobley was in early foul trouble but scored all 9 of his points in the second half. The same held true for North senior Dom DiProva. He opened the second half with a 3-pointer and tallied 9 second-half points.

On a rebound and bucket from Einloth, the Knights' lead looked healthy at 49-43 with seven minutes to play in the final quarter. However, on the third 3-pointer of the night from Jason Hamlin, the Bulldogs (3-25) grabbed the lead back.

North closed the game making 8 straight free throws.

Three wins for the Bulldogs? It sure doesn't sound like the best of times for this program.

Not true, says Mobley.

"These three wins felt like 20 wins,'' Mobley said. "This group of guys changed my life."

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