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Defense lifts Grayslake Central over Hampshire

Grayslake Central's stifling defense was more than enough to overcome any offensive struggles as the Rams got past Hampshire, 46-36, in Fox Valley Conference Fox Division boys basketball action in Hampshire Friday night.

Jack Beckman scored 16 points and David Kienzle added 14 for Grayslake Central, but the real story was the Rams' defense. They held Hampshire to 31 percent shooting and forced 16 turnovers. Hampshire seldom had an open look as the Rams contested shots and filled the passing lanes.

Grayslake Central took a 12-4 lead and Hampshire could never dig out of that early hole. The Whip-Purs took their only lead of the game at 23-22 on a putback by Xavier Bennett, but the Rams answered with a 9-0 run to lead 31-23. Hampshire then scored 7 straight to get within 1, but the Rams countered with a 7-0 run of their own.

From there, Grayslake Central (9-7, 3-3) was able to seal the victory at the free-throw line.

"We talked about executing and capitalizing on every opportunity we're going to get at the offensive end," said Grayslake Central coach Kosta Kougias. "We didn't necessarily do it. We got some nice passes, we got some nice looks, but didn't finish.

"We talked about picking It up defensively, which I thought we did. I thought that was the big difference tonight, us turning it up defensively and holding them to one shot."

Beckman and Kienzle each grabbed 5 rebounds as the Rams controlled the backboards, 24-17.

Sam Ruhlmann added 8 points for Grayslake Central, including 4 big free throws in the final period.

Luke Tuttle was the key to the Hampshire comeback, scoring 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Brennen Woods added 9 for the Whips (3-11, 1-4), but no one else scored more than 4.

"Ultimately, we lost too many 1-on-1 battles, whether it was getting a rebound or setting a screen, or (getting) a loose ball, we lost too many battles," said Hampshire coach Ben Whitehouse. "They were the more physical team tonight."

Tuttle's third 3-pointer of the night made it 38-33, but that was as close as the Whips could get. The Rams made 6 of 8 free throws from there on, and Beckman scored on a short jumper to hold off the Whip-Purs.

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