Libertyville edges Grant

What a strange night for Libertyville senior Josh Steinhaus.

At one point early in the second quarter, he was on pace to score more than 40 points in Tuesday night's boys basketball game at Grant.

And then what happened?

"I was playing a little too fast,'' Steinhaus admitted. "I made some sloppy turnovers. And charges, too. I needed to slow down and relax."

Charges meant fouls. As in four fouls on the Libertyville guard. As in find a seat on the bench.

A line violation cut Grant's lead to 3 points with just over a minute to play. After two clutch free throws from Jackson Watson (7 points), Steinhaus was inserted back into the game.

His drive to the basket put the Wildcats ahead to stay. His two free throws iced the game in Fox Lake. Streaking Libertyville won a squeaker, 39-36.

"Our shooting was a little off tonight,'' said Libertyville coach Brian Zyrkowski. "But we found a way to win on the road. Give Grant credit for their defense. And also getting our best player in foul trouble."

Grant (8-9) had the fast start in this one.

On a 3-pointer from Hunter Waszkowski, the Grant lead was 11-6. Waszkowski had 7 of his team's 11 first quarter points.

And Steinhaus was doing the same for his Wildcats.

On back to back 3-pointers, he at one point had 11 of his team's first 14 points.

"This was a good high school game,'' Steinhaus said. "It was a little sloppy coming off our Wheeling tournament. The strength of our team is 3-point shooting. Even our bigs can shoot the three."

It was anyone's game in the second half.

Grant's Tavarus Williams had a big start in the second half. His 12th point of the night gave the Bulldogs a 32-31 lead.

Then, on a Brian Wilterdink (8 points) drive to hoop, the Cats (8-7) opened a 31-28 to open the fourth quarter.

"This was a great ballgame,'' said Grant coach Wayne Bosworth. "Both teams played great defense and the offenses were patient. I wasn't pleased with our effort down the stretch."