It might have been a defensive struggle from start to finish when host Grayslake North met crosstown rival Grayslake Central in Northern Lake County Conference boys basketball showdown Friday night. But you couldn’t have asked for a more dramatic finish as Grayslake North senior Joseph Valera hit a game-winning shot from 15-feet out on the right wing as time expired to carry the Knights to an exciting 32-30 overtime victory over the stunned Rams.

Who is on fire on the Lake County boys basketball scene, you ask? How about the Lakes Eagles, winners of six of their last eight games. Lakes is 6-2 in January and was 11-10 overall and a robust 7-1 in Northern Lake County Conference action as a result of its strong 2022 start.

It was a big 3-pointer and even bigger shot that beat the buzzer for Lakes’ Eli Roberts. The senior banked it off the glass and through the net as the clock went to zero on the scoreboard as the Eagles soared to another impressive victory over visiting Grayslake North, 60-59, in a Northern Lake County Conference boys basketball game in Lake Villa on Tuesday night.

The Grant boys basketball team has been on a nice run of late, winners of three in a row and four of its last six. During that span, Grant downed North Chicago by 42 points (76-34), Round Lake by 30 (64-34) and beat Northern Lake County Conference leader Grayslake Central by 14 (56-42).

The positives keep rolling in for the Wauconda boys basketball team. The Bulldogs were 10-2 heading into the new year after winning the Marengo E.C. Nichols tournament.

Lake County area boys basketball teams are headed to places such as Collinsville, Pekin, Centralia and Pontiac next week— here, there and everywhere.

Welcome back, Exzavier Meyer.You too, Jack Schirmer.Marengo was less beleaguered with the return of several sick or injured players in Monday’s game against Grayslake North.Meyer and Schirmer, two seniors who had been out, came through with some critical plays late as the Indians held off North, 64-62, in the first round of the 71st Annual E.C. Nichols Holiday Classic at Homer “Bill” Barry Gymnasium.

The Warren boys basketball team has proved it can take the heat. The Blue Devils were 6-2 through their eight games, including opening North Suburban Conference action with a pair of close wins over Zion-Benton (59-54) and at Lake Zurich (42-39).

Vernon Hills boys basketball coach Mike McCarty took a lot of positives out of his team’s winning the Northridge Prep Battle at the Ridge tournament with a 4-0 mark.

Ben Ahmer and Huntley knew how to start a season. The senior scored 17 points, and the Red Raiders never trailed in their season opener against Grayslake North, a 65-35 win Monday night.

Here’s a look at the boys basketball season in the Northern Lake County Conference