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Grayslake North opens regional with win over Steinmetz

Grayslake North started off its Class 3A state boys basketball tournament at Fenton High School in Bensenville Monday night with a bang.

The Knights received double-figure scoring from four players in dispatching No. 19 seed Steinmetz, 73-55 in the Fenton regional opener.

The win now pits the No 15 seeded Knights against No. 3 seed St. Viator at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

"We've been playing really good team chemistry ball lately," said Grayslake North freshman Dominic Jankowski, who led his team with 20 points. "Now we have to get ready for (Tuesday). We need to play as a team and hit our shots."

Jankowski helped carry Grayslake North (12-18) with 17 of his 20 points in the first half. Jankowski, who now has 63 3-pointers this season, had six for the game.

"Dominic carried us in the first half," said Knights coach Todd Gruloh.

"We didn't shoot the ball particularly well in the game's first 8-10 minutes. We did a much better job in the second half. We moved the ball better and took good shots."

Steinmetz center Thomas Cibor was able to work inside in the first half, scoring 11 of his 12 points.

"We were so concerned with their Quame Gipson that we didn't defend (Cibor) well," said Gruloh. "We tightened things up on defense in the second half. We began to handle their traps."

Leading 38-33 at halftime, Grayslake North used an 11-4 run to start the second half and create some distance against the 15-14 Silver Streaks.

Tony Hines, who scored 19 points including 13 in the second half, scored two baskets to start the third quarter. Jason Donohue scored on a steal for a 44-33 lead. Steinmetz scored two baskets to close to 44-37. Donohue popped in a 3-pointer and Hines followed with a basket off a turnover for a 49-37 lead.

"We talk about setting the tone in the first three minutes of the second half whether we are ahead or behind, " said Gruloh. "We were able to stretch it out and that gave us better options on offense."

Gipson, a senior who is getting notice from local colleges, scored 27 points to lead his team. He connected on five 3-pointers and was 6 of 6 from the free-throw line.

"He is tough," said Hines of Gipson. "He is so tough and you can print that. We can use this game in building some momentum going against our next opponent. We spread the ball around better in the second half and that got us going."

Donohue scored 16 points for Grayslake North and was followed by Jamon Thomas with 10 points.

The Knights outrebounded Steinmetz 27-14. Joe Swanson had 8 rebounds to go with 6 assists. Thomas and Hines each had 5 rebounds.

The Knights finished with 17 assists on their 30 baskets.

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