Another Drevline-driven win for Grayslake Central
The signature win of the season came the previous night, when Grayslake Central's girls basketball team topped a very good Warren squad.
That game showed that this Rams team spreads the ball around and can score in a hurry. And the subsequent contest confirmed Grayslake Central's ability - eventually.
On Saturday, Peyton Gosell's 3-pointer proved a point early as Central led Carmel Catholic 17-8 very early in the second quarter.
But by halftime, it was tied at 24-24.
Rosie Drevline continued her hot shooting from the floor finishing with 21 points as Central finished 4-1 in the Blue Devil Classic. The Rams, despite three 3-pointers in the second quarter from Rayna Jamison, edged the Corsairs 57-50.
"Carmel really pushed us today,'' Drevline said. "They moved the ball well and had some clutch players who were shooting well. But we have a lot of heart on this team."
On a Jordyn Gosell 3, the Rams' lead looked solid again in the third quarter at 33-26.
"I think I'm more defensive-minded,'' Jordyn Gosell noted. "Our team is really out for each other."
Carmel's Brigit Barr was scoreless at halftime but took it upon herself to get the Corsairs (9-9) back in the game. She hit three straight jumpers in the third quarter, and the last one pulled her club within a single point at 35-34.
"My girls showed a lot of grit coming back,'' said Carmel coach Ben Berg. "Central is very good and very well coached. They played hard."
It was still anyone's game heading to the final quarter. Central's tallest performer, Kate Bullman (7 points, 9 rebounds), got into the scoring act in the second half.
Central coach Steve Ikenn noted his club gave up the most points to Carmel in this contest.
"It's our sixth game in five days,'' Ikenn said. "But we are really playing well. I like our point guard (Maura Fitzgerald). She's a great defensive player."
Fitzgerald added 7 points and 5 assists.
On an old fashioned 3-point play from Jordyn Gosell, the Rams once again had built up a decent lead at 49-39. Carmel wasn't done yet, however.
Again the 3-pointer rescued the Corsairs. Caitlin Teehan did the honors with back-to-back 3s. She finished with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
"They kept coming back at us,'' Ikenn added. "Ben has done a great job with them. He has them playing well."
Jamison's hot streak in the second quarter was something to crow about for Carmel.
"She's a highly skilled offensive player,'' Berg said.
Carmel's offensive skills were impressive on this night. The Rams had answers on the offensive end as well.
"We did get a couple of big stops,'' Ikenn said. "We rarely give up 40 points in a game. But I thought we executed our offense very well. And Rosie has led us in scoring in the last four of five games."
The Corsairs won the rebounding game, 25-22. Barr led the way with 10 boards, and Kaytlyn Matz notched 6 rebounds.