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There's no slowing up Grayslake North

When the Grayslake North boys basketball team played Crystal Lake Central earlier this season, the game got out of hand fast.

The visiting Knights sprinted out to a 24-0 lead against Crystal Lake Central.

So, when in the rematch on Saturday night at Grayslake North Crystal Lake Central came out in deliberate, delay offense, Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh figured that it was in response to his team's start the last time.

"Crystal Lake Central actually tries to run a fast-paced game," Grunloh said. "They like to get up the court quick, shoot quick 3-pointers. If you watch them on film, that's what they typically try to do. But I think they knew that's not the type of game they can play against us.

"They definitely tried to slow the game down."

Grayslake North is averaging more than 70 points per game this season.

The Knights, despite Crystal Lake Central's best efforts to slow the game to a snail's pace, were pretty much on average once again. Grayslake North ran over the Tigers, 72-41.

The Knights move to 22-3 on this historic season. The most wins Grayslake North (10-2 Fox Valley Fox) has gotten in a season previously is 19.

"I like the (up-tempo) style we play a lot," said Grayslake North junior guard Jamal Thomas. "Most teams can't defend it. We get a lot of easy transition points and baskets.

"We figured (Crystal Lake Central) would (slow the pace) just to keep the score down. But after a while, we adjusted and just pressured the ball more. I really think there needs to be a shot clock though, so teams can't waste so much time."

The Knights wasted no time on their offensive possessions.

They moved the ball with a purpose, attacked the rim and were efficient. Grayslake North was up 12-4 at the end of the first quarter and 33-10 at halftime.

Thomas scored 10 of his team-high 18 points in the first half.

"Jamal helps a lot with (the up-tempo style)," Grunloh said. "He can get up and down the floor fast.

"Over the summer, you could see he was extremely skilled and fast, but it was him still processing what we wanted to do as a program. Once he figured out the system, it was like he instantly took off."

Thomas is a transfer from the Detroit area who was a varsity starter as a freshman and sophomore on his previous team. He fit in immediately at Grayslake North when he moved in last March.

"I like my role as a starter and leading by example," Thomas said. "And I think I fit really well in this offense. I like to get up and down and push the ball. We have the right puzzle pieces together."

Grayslake North was up 59-24 by then end of the third quarter and played reserves for much of the fourth quarter. A total of 12 players scored for the Knights, who also got 9 points from Tyler Elias and Jon Smithson, 8 points from Aidan Einloth and James Connolly and 7 points from Connor Sinclair.

Crystal Lake Central went on a 17-3 run to start the fourth quarter to cut its deficit to 21 points. But Grayslake North scored the final 10 points to close out.

Junior guard Adam Pump paced Crystal Lake Central with a game-high 20 points. He canned three 3-pointers.

"Grayslake North is a good team," Crystal Lake Central coach Rick Czeslawski said. "They can do whatever they want."

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