Boys basketball: Cary-Grove falls to Grayslake Central in OT at Hinkle Holiday Classic

ALGONQUIN – Grayslake Central had the “X” factor to overcome the major challenges posed by Cary-Grove during Tuesday night’s Hinkle Holiday Classic second-round game.

The Rams’ hopes of defending their tournament title didn’t look so hot with deficits of 11 points in the third quarter and seven with 1:24 to play in regulation.

But having a player like 6-foot-4 junior Xavi Granville certainly made it easier to believe it was possible at the Eagles’ Nest.

Granville scored a career-high 29 points and sparked closing runs by the fifth-seeded Rams of seven points in regulation and 10 points in overtime as they eluded the Trojans’ upset bid with a 65-56 victory.

“This time when we went to overtime it felt completely different,” Granville said of a pair of overtime losses earlier in the season. “There wasn’t one time where I thought we were going to lose.”

Granville’s steal and three-quarter court drive for a left-hand dunk broke a tie at 56-56 with 1:26 left and put the Rams (9-3) on their way into Wednesday’s 6 p.m. semifinal against top-seed Waubonsie Valley (11-0).

“We just have to do better taking care of the ball. We made some critical mistakes they capitalized on, and their best player took the game over on the offensive end and defensively.”

—  Adam McCloud, Cary-Grove coach

Granville scored 12 points in the final 5:30 minutes, shot 10 of 14 from the field and had 13 rebounds and four assists. His step-back 3-pointer on a feed from Jayden Hall tied it at 53-53 with 56 seconds left in regulation.

“If that’s the one he’s going to hit, you’ve got to live with it,” C-G coach Adam McCloud said.

“He showed everything – and how about the steals and the blocks,” Central coach Brian Centella said. “Those little things are what separates the good from the great. Great players impact winning and that’s what he does.”

Cary-Grove (6-8), which will play Grant today at 3 p.m. Wednesday, was a completely different team from the one that lost to the Rams 47-29 last Thursday.

The Trojans were 1 of 12 on 3s in the first half, but sophomore A.J. Berndt (16 points, four 3s), Ryan Elbert (10 points) and Jake Hornok (12 points, six rebounds) combined to go 5 of 7 behind the arc for a 38-27 lead with three minutes left in the third.

“We played a much better game than a couple of nights ago,” McCloud said. “I’m proud of the effort but disappointed we let it get away.”

Junior sixth-man Aayan Siddiqui (15 points, seven rebounds) made sure it didn’t get too far out of reach for the Rams with two 3s and 10 fourth-quarter points.

“One of the biggest strengths of our team is our versatility,” Granville said.

“I told Aayan in the locker room he took over the game there for a stretch,” Centella said. “We needed every single basket he provided and he’s a talented scorer as well.”

Berndt’s tough lane drive put the Trojans up 53-46 with 1:43 remaining. They had a chance to win after the Rams’ rally, but Hornok’s drive in traffic in the closing seconds missed.

P.J. Weaver gave C-G two leads in overtime with a layup and a free throw. Granville tied it with a free throw off an offensive rebound and then stripped a ball-handler for his go-ahead dunk.

“Whenever I get a chance to dunk I’m going to dunk it,” Granville said. “I noticed him coming around a screen and took a gamble.”

An Eric Brum steal and Cayden Woods’ feed set up Hall’s 3 with 51 seconds left in OT. Hall and Granville sealed but hitting four free throws.

“We just have to do better taking care of the ball,” McCloud said after C-G committed five turnovers in the final 5 1/2 minutes. “We made some critical mistakes they capitalized on, and their best player took the game over on the offensive end and defensively.”