Grayslake North can't stop skid
Grayslake North was hoping to head into the winter break with a victory. After all the Knights don't play their next game until Jan. 4 at home against Prairie Ridge. The team also was hoping to snap a three-game skid.
Unfortunately, visiting Wilmot Union (Wis.) had other ideas as it escaped with a 72-71 nonconference boys basketball victory on Tuesday evening.
The loss drops the Knights to 3-6 overall while the Panthers improved to 3-2.
"We need to do a better job of taking care of the ball," said Knights coach Todd Grunloh. "That's three times in games this season already that we've blown leads late."
Tied 66-66, Wilmot went on a 5-0 run that was capped by a 3-pointer to make it 71-66 with 1:15 left.
The Knights, as they've done all season, showed their resiliency in coming back once again.
Senior guard Jamon Thomas (game-high 19 points) nailed a 3-pointer with 50 ticks left to make it 71-69. Wilmot then converted on 1-of-2 free-throws to keep the lead (72-69) with 26 seconds left.
Thomas then made a short runner to make it 72-71 and he was fouled.
He then missed the free-throw but got his follow up, only to come up a little short, which allowed Wilmot to run out the last couple of seconds.
"Our effort will keep us in a lot of games," added Grunloh. "We had chances and I loved their effort."
After 7 ties and 4 lead exchanges, the Knights looked to put this one away.
Wilmot led 24-20 when senior forward Ja Koby Blissitt canned a 3-pointer from just inside the half-court line at the buzzer for a huge lift at the end of one.
That started a 27-8 run that included the Knights outscoring the Panthers 24-8 in the second. Senior guard Jason Donohue netted 7 of his 9 points in the second and senior forward Joe Swanson (11 points) made a layup at the buzzer to give Grayslake North a 42-32 lead.
Then came a few turnovers and some missed shots because Wilmot never went away, mounting a comeback in the third.
"They really spread us out and took advantage of their quickness," added Grunloh. "Safe to say, we're going to shoot a lot and practice a lot of late game situations over the break."
The Panthers used a 13-1 spree to open the third and tie the game at 45-45.
In the fourth, junior forward Kevin Sandman hit a trey to give Wilmot Union the lead for good (69-66) with 1:32 left.
Sandman and junior guard London Glass each scored 22 for Wilmot Union.