The Grayslake Central girls basketball team opened the 2018-2019 season with a road win over Richmond-Burton, with a final score of 47-41. 

The girls are back in 3A for the first time since 2012.

“The competition is always hard no matter what level you’re in and I think we just need to keep working one game at a time and hopefully we’ll see a good outcome,” said senior, Claudia Kauck.

The next two games didn’t go the way the Rams were hoping, dropping tournament games to Maine South and hosts, Buffalo Grove.

 The Rams then won back to back games against Barrington and Harlem, before losing their final game of the tournament to Hersey by one point, 49-48.

They started their regular season conference schedule with a win against cross town rivals, Grayslake North, rolling past the Lady Knights, 52-32.

“We’re working well as a team and getting better after every game,” said Kauck.

The Rams closed November with an exciting and emotional home opener that resulted in an overtime win against Lakes High School. Both school’s super fans sections came out in support. The Rams started the night off by scoring the first 8 points of the game and led the Lady Eagles at the end of the first quarter 10-3. 

During the second quarter the Eagles went on a 9 point run, outscoring the Rams 11-4, to tie it at the half. 

Both offenses came out shooting well in the second half; both teams scored 16 points to keep it tied at the end of the third.

With roughly six minutes to play, Lakes hit a three take their first lead of the game 33-32. With under five minutes to go, the Rams lost star player Kate Bullman, who fouled out. 

Senior Kristy Heerdegen scored the opening points of overtime to put Central ahead before Maura Fitzgerald put the game away hitting 5 of 6 free throw, over the sound of hooting fans from Lakes. The Rams defense held Lakes to just two points and secured a 44-37 victory.

The Rams finished November with a 5-3 record and 2-0 in conference

They opened December with their sixth neutral site game. They faced Lincoln Way West in the Chicagoland Invitational Showcase at Fremd High School. The Rams lost another tough neutral site game as Lincoln Way West knocked down a three at the end of each of the first quarters, leading them at the half  22-14. The Rams knocked down a late three of their own to end the third quarter, but their shooting wasn’t enough and they fell 46-36.

They continued their regular season success with a home win against Wauconda and an away win against Round Lake.

“Our coach always tells us just to take it one game at a time,” said Kauck.

That mentality has helped the Rams win big games so far this year. The girls are 8-4 through Dec.12 and undefeated in regular season play.