Too much pressure for Johnsburg

Johnsburg’s T.J. Sigmund drives to the basket against Grayslake Central’s Tyler Smith in the first quarter during the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division game in Grayslake. The Skyhawks lost, 66-58. (Candace H. Johnson - Shaw Suburban Media)

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GRAYSLAKE – Johnsburg has proved it can play with any of the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division’s top teams, although closing the deal has been another matter.

The Skyhawks challenged division leader Grayslake Central behind guard Kevin Dombrow-ski’s 11-point outburst in the closing minutes. But too many turnovers produced too large a deficit and the Rams hit some key free throws late for a 66-58 victory Thursday night.

“We have the talent and ability to play with anyone,” Skyhawks coach Mike Toussaint said. “We turned the ball over too many times (29). We talked about [their pressure], and we still didn’t handle it well.”

Grayslake Central (16-5 overall, 8-0 FVC Fox) hit Johnsburg (7-14, 3-5) with full-court man-to-man defense most of the game. Johnsburg had a 30-29 halftime lead despite committing 15 turnovers.

“Their full-court pressure got to us,” guard Brett Toussaint said. “They didn’t do it to us the first time for the whole game like they did tonight.”

“It was kind of a slap in the face,” Brett Toussaint said. “We know we can play with anybody. We just have to limit the turnovers.”

Grayslake Central had a 47-37 lead after three quarters and pushed the margin to 61-45 with 2:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. At that point, the Skyhawks turned up their half-court trap and started picking off passes.

Dombrowski hit two three-pointers, a 6-foot runner, then another three in a span of 1:16 to make it 61-56. With 1:04 to go, the Skyhawks were back in the game.

“I knew every ball was going in,” said Dombrowski, who led Johnsburg with 17 points. “I wasn’t even thinking about it.”

T.J. Sigmund added 10 points and Henry Lobermeier and Ben Dingman each tossed in seven off the bench.

“[Grayslake Central] gets up and guards you, but we made a little more out of it than they actually did,” Mike Toussaint said. “It’s about not being strong with the ball and making bad decisions. We hadn’t really played a good first half, but we were still in position.”

Dombrowski thought Grayslake Central tossed a different wrinkle at the Skyhawks than they saw in their 64-59 overtime loss on Jan. 21.

“They have really quick guards, so they had single guys guarding us,” Dombrowski said. “This time they were helping more and trapping more.”

Guard Jordan Taylor led four Rams in double figures with 19 points. Savonte McWilliams and Danny Reed scored 12 each and 6-foot-9 center Casey Boyle added 11, along with 20 rebounds.

“One of the things we really try to do is pick up ballhandlers and wear them out,” Rams coach Brian Moe said. “It’s frustrating to have someone in your face the whole game. Our guards do a great job with ball pressure.”