Bullman, Grayslake Central down Grant in NLCC showdown
Let's just say Round 1 goes to the Grayslake Central girls basketball team.
In a battle for Northern Lake County Conference supremacy, the Rams jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the first quarter and wound up cruising to a 67-28 victory in Fox Lake on a snowy Friday night.
It marks the eighth win in a row for coach Steve Ikenn's team, who improved to 17-3 overall and sit atop the NLCC at 7-0. Meanwhile, the host Bulldogs fell into second place and stand at 12-8 overall and 6-1 in the league.
"They're (Grant) a good team. Just a little short-handed tonight," said Ikenn. "It was close early but we just got on a roll."
The one that got it going the most in the first was senior forward Kate Bullman, who recorded her first triple-double of the year.
"It's amazing. That was a goal of mine this season (getting a triple-double)," said Bullman, who poured in a game-high 21 points to go along with 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
"We didn't know who was going to play for them (Grant) so we prepared for everyone. We're having a good time out there. Our practices are fun. That helps translate over to the court."
Bullman would have most likely guarded Bulldog center Jazzlyn Linbo, who was out with a concussion sustained a couple of weeks ago.
"We needed that extra day," said Grant coach Kevin Geist. "She should be back Tuesday for Wauconda. But we knew what we were up against tonight. We competed with what we had."
There was no answer for Bullman, though, as she pumped in 9 of her points in the first quarter.
The Rams jumped to that 12-2 lead right off the bat and wound up leading 21-10 at the end of the first stanza.
"We jumped on them early and never let up," added Bullman. "We just played our game."
Bullman added 6 more points in the second as Grayslake Central stayed the course, outscoring Grant 13-7 and creating separation at 34-17 going into halftime.
Then it was senior guard Amanda Kocialkowski's turn to light it up. She netted 9 of her 14 points in the third as Grayslake Central had the game well in hand at the end of three, 59-24.
Bullman was out most of the fourth with the reserves in and the game on ice.
Senior guard Lauren Cartee also joined Bullman and Kocialkowski in double-figures with 12 points.
"Our goal was to get everyone going," noted Ikenn.
Grant was led by senior forward Katelyn Dupree with 7 points and sophomore guard Kylie Whyte chipped in 6.
The two teams will have the rematch in Grayslake on Feb. 12.