The crosstown rivalry came out strong with huge defensive efforts across the board with a low scoring game ending in an exciting 32-30 win for North.

The first half ended in a score of 15-11 for Grayslake North. The Knights were able to play physical throughout the half, locking up the offensive threat in Brendan Whalen, who scored an impressive 24 points in their last matchup.

“The game plan was to run a zone defense with a man-to-man on Whalen who we matched up with Donohue,” said senior Joseph Valera.

Brendan was contested and missed many shots which could’ve changed the momentum of the game.

The energy in the gym picked up, especially in the beginning of the fourth quarter, with the score at 23-19 Central.

“I definitely felt the pressure, but we knew as a team we had to make a statement. The team and I came into that fourth quarter on a mission to leave it all there, no matter how much they outsized us,” Valera said.

With one- minute left on the clock, the score was 27-25 North, but with 27.3 seconds left, senior Jake Gibson for Central hit an extremely pressured layup to tie the game 27-27.

The game went into overtime, and 30 seconds into overtime, junior Jacob Donohue clutches up and hits a tough three-pointer to take the lead 30-27.

“I was just feeling it from a distance that night. I was open and had to let it fly. I’m glad my teammates were able to help move the ball to get me open for that shot. It is a shot I won’t forget for years to come,” Donohue said.

As it came to a stretch, Jake Gibson was fouled and taken to the line to make one free throw to make the game 30-28 and later Whalen was sent to the line on a shooting foul making both free throws to tie the game 30-30.

North calls a timeout with 23 seconds. North then inbounds the ball to Valera who then passes it to Donohue who gives it back.

Valera clutches up with an insane spin-move fadeaway to seal the game 32-30 in a Knights win.

“This is a feeling I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over, the crowd’s energy when they storm the court. It’s something you practiced as a kid to hit a game-winner on a rival team, and for me that practice paid off, and I will for sure be telling my grandkids about it,” Valera said.