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Grayslake North works for OT win against Wauconda

Chris Kelly and Jarod Stonis renewed a friendly rivalry Friday.

If the tournament game between Grayslake North and Wauconda at Richmond-Burton is a preview of what's to come in the new Northern Lake County Conference this winter, this could be a good rivalry.

Down 19 points in the first quarter, Grayslake North won 62-54 in overtime. James Connolly sank 5 of 6 free throws in OT and finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals for Grayslake North. Jamal Thomas added 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals, and freshman Ryan Connolly had 16 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter to put the Knights up 39-38 entering the fourth.

The Johnsburg/Richmond Burton tournament concludes Saturday night at Johnsburg, with both Grayslake North (2-1) and Wauconda (0-3) playing at 5:30 p.m. Grayslake North will play Crystal Lake South, and Wauconda will take on Fenton.

Against Grayslake North, Stonis scored 11 points (three 3-pointers) in less than three minutes, as Wauconda jumped out to a 23-4 lead with still nearly four minutes to go in the opening quarter. Stonis led all scorers with 26 points.

"I hate him," Kelly joked, "because he never stops running."

Stonis (Transfiguration in Wauconda) and Kelly (Prince of Peace in Lake Villa), who are both seniors, have been playing against each other since they were in Catholic school.

"He was the best player on his team, and I was the best player on my team," Stonis said. "We used to always go at it. It was a lot of fun."

Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh called on Kelly after two other Knights had trouble containing the 6-foot-3 Stonis. Up 25-10 after one, Wauconda scored only 24 points in the next three quarters.

While Kelly didn't score, he was a factor defensively against Stonis, despite being 6 inches shorter.

"You try to stay in front of him and talk with your defense about where the screen is coming," Kelly said.

Stonis, who scored 35 points in Wauconda's season opener against Richmond-Burton before being held scoreless against Lake Zurich, was in rhythm early against Grayslake North. He finished 9 of 18 shooting (four 3-pointers) and 4 of 5 from the line.

"He's just a natural shooter," Wauconda coach Scott Luetschwager said. "No. 11 (Kelly) did a nice job on him, making him work."

Kelly had 2 steals, including one down the stretch in the fourth quarter. He also blocked a shot and took a charge.

Grunloh had nothing but praise for Kelly, who knows his role coming off the bench.

"He couldn't play a second, and he would be fine with that as long as he can help us get better in practice," Grunloh said. "He always sits right next to the coaches. You're not going to say, 'Chris, jump in the game' and him be unprepared."

Sounds like a future coach.

"I like coaching," Kelly said. "I like helping others, helping my teammates. I'm not a scorer so I like passing the ball more."

When Connor Brannick fed Kyle Drobnik (6 points, 16 rebounds) for a layup, Wauconda led 23-4 on 10-of-10 shooting. The Bulldogs had scored just 16 points, total, against Lake Zurich.

"Credit (Wauconda). We knew Stonis was good," Grunloh said. "But we weren't even matching up with people. It was like it was still Thanksgiving dinner."

Wauconda then scored just 1 basket in the next eight minutes. Jimmy Ott's driving layup had the Bulldogs up 29-22 at halftime.

"We had some good looks," Luetschwager said. "North ramped up their defense a little more and just gave us some fits."

Ott's layup in the final minute of the fourth sent the game to overtime tied 49-49 after Ryan Connolly rimmed out a 3 in the closing seconds.

While Wauconda got outscored 13-5 in OT, the young Bulldogs know they can build off their effort. They graduated nine players.

"That first four minutes (of the game) was probably the best basketball we ever played," Stonis said. "That really showed what kind of team we can be if we bring that the whole game."

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