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Hampshire's finishing surge sinks Grayslake Central

Somewhat demoralized and probably a little bit shocked was how fans left Grayslake Central High School on Friday night.

The host Rams knew it was going to be a battle, as most Fox Valley Fox games are, and this one certainly didn't disappoint.

"We have to disrupt them offensively and limit our turnovers," said Grayslake Central coach Kosta Kougias prior to the game and the festivities that usually accompany senior night.

That formula paid nice dividends for the most part, except it was visiting Hampshire making the big run and the big baskets it needed while pulling out a thrilling 50-47 come-from-behind Fox Valley Fox victory.

Grayslake Central came out blazing and grabbed a 17-7 lead after the opening act.

Senior guard Sam Ruhlmann got the inside game going with 6 first-quarter points. He finished with a team- and game-high 17 while also pulling down 12 boards.

Early in the second, Hampshire had pulled to within 19-15 on a basket by senior guard Luke Tuttle (10 points).

But Grayslake Central closed the half on a 15-2 run for a seemingly safe lead. Ruhlmann added 5 more points during that run, and senior forwards David Kienzle (7 points) and senior Bobby Fortmann (6 points) canned back-to-back 3s to end the half with a nice spark.

"We talked at halftime about playing with energy, will and toughness when things are going well, and that we needed to play with all three when things weren't going well. We did that, and it was the difference tonight," said Whip-Purs coach Ben Whitehouse, whose team improved to 7-17 overall and 4-7 in the FVC Fox division. "We trapped them early and just kept chipping away."

The second half started well for Whitehouse and the boys when senior guard Deion Garcia (10 points) and Tuttle drained back-to-back 3s of their own to open the third and draw Hampshire to within 34-23 with 6:51 left.

But Grayslake Central answered again with another nifty 6-0 spurt to up the lead again to 17 points with 5:26 left in the period. Ruhlmann's 2 free throws capped the run before the game took on a completely different complexion.

This time it was Hampshire delivering a 12-0 run, culminating with a rebound and layup by junior guard Brennen Woods (6 points). All of a sudden it was a 5-point game (40-35) heading to the fourth.

"Coach just wanted us to fight and let us compete," said Hampshire senior guard Xavier Bennett, who played a big role in the deciding fourth frame. "We lost a lot of close games early in the season. But tonight we communicated well and just chipped away and that boosted our confidence."

That confidence certainly carried over to the fourth as Hampshire opened the final eight minutes with a 7-1 spree. Senior guard Deion Garcia (10 points) sank a lay-up that gave the visitors their first lead at 42-41 with 4:45 left in regulation.

Through the 1:40 mark of the final period, the lead changed hands three times before a layup by Tuttle ended up giving Hampshire the lead for good at 48-47 with 1:40 left.

After a turnover, Grayslake Central was forced to foul. Bennett made 2 free throws with 14 seconds left and a 50-47 edge; he scored all 8 of his points in the fourth.

The Rams then held the ball for a final hopeful tying 3, but Fortmann's shot from the top of the key fell just short.

"We were patient and we did a good job of running them off of the 3-point line," added Whitehouse.

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