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Morrison, Glenbrook South stop Grayslake North

Here's a quick warning for area girls basketball teams and clubs from the Fox Valley Conference: This Grayslake North team can get up and down the court in a hurry.

That helps to explain how the Knights won four straight games at the Mundelein Thanksgiving Tournament.

On a snowy Saturday night, the two unbeaten clubs in the tourney met for the title.

But could the Knights match up with a big presence in the middle? The other unbeaten team in the tourney, Glenbrook South, started 6-foot-2 Valparaiso-bound Caitlin Morrison.

The Knights held an early lead at 9-4. And then watched the Titans go on a 15-0 run.

On one of four 3-pointers from budding star Brandi Thibeaux, the Knights re-took the lead late in the third quarter.

But Morrison led all scorers with 25 points, adding 6 boards and even a steal as the Titans pulled away in the fourth quarter and posted a 68-50 win.

"This was a back and forth game,'' Morrison said. "It will be good practice for us because we play in a tough conference."

Morrison was able to score inside seemingly at will.

"We still had a hard time getting the ball inside,'' she said. "We were really worried about the Grayslake guards."

Yes, the one-two punch of Thibeaux and Sidney Lovitsch did not disappoint.

Lovitsch backed up Thibeaux's 23 points with 19 of her own.

"Brandi has been playing very well right now,'' said Grayslake North coach Rob Nicoletti. "And Sidney is the engine for the whole team. We knew Glenbrook South had the size advantage and rebounding would be huge."

Thibeaux's 3-pointer opened the scoring in this contest and the Knights were off and running. However, that cold snap included 10 straight missed shots and 2 turnovers. On a jumper from Morrison, the Titans looked ready to put this game away, up 26-11.

"That's a really good Glenbrook South team,'' Nicoletti said. "We still had a great effort against them."

As quickly as the Titans built the lead, Thibeaux and Lovitsch checked in.

North scored 14 points in the last three minutes before halftime. That was officially 8 for Lovitsch and two 3-pointers from Thibeaux.

The Titans stumbled out of the second half gate. And North took advantage.

On a flip shot from Stinner the Knights had opened up a 37-34 lead.

It was Glenbrook South's turn to make a run. It took a few baskets from Morrison. Fellow senior Sarah McDonagh (16 points) checked with a 3-pointer and an old fashioned 3-point play.

Another concern for the Knights is when the Titans applied the press on defense.

"That press was effective at first,'' Morrison said. "We got some steals. But then they started getting some easy layups."

Morrison scored just 4 points in the final quarter. It didn't matter as the Titans dominated the quarter to clinch top tourney honors.

Grayslake North senior Kelley O'Brien landed a 3-pointer and finished with 5 points.

Carie Weinman landed 3 3-pointers and added 14 points for the Titans.

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