Girls basketball has been on a roll this season, holding a record of 12-7 and most recently defeating Mundelein by 37 points.

Facing off against Grayslake North last night at home was no different for the Scouts, posting their 13th win with a score of 56-46. The win was fueled by an outstanding 23-point effort from junior Rachel Kaus.

The Scouts got off to an early lead, coming out of the gates with layups and free throws to go up 7-2 in the first few minutes. A quick 3-pointer from senior Tricia Gray a few minutes later put the Scouts up 12-4, and they finished the first quarter up 20-14.

A turnaround layup off a spin move in the post by Kaus to start the second quarter kept the Scouts hot. According to Gray, the girls’ stifling defense and quickness in jumping passes down low was the team’s key to success from the start, pushing them to a halftime lead of 30-24.

More of the same followed throughout the second half: lockdown defense, tough play in the paint, and plenty of free throws. The Scouts finished the third quarter up by 11 en route to a 10 point victory.

Missing for the Scouts was junior Bella Ranallo, a key member of the team, out with a concussion.

“I tried keeping [my teammates] upbeat and encouraged them,” Ranallo said. “[I acted] like I was almost on the court with them by trying to be a leader and keeping them positive.”

“It was definitely tough because we are used to having her as a playmaker on offense, but [we] overcame it and got in a rhythm when the game went on,” Gray said.

Ranallo expects to be back for the team’s next game. Catch the Scouts match up against  Stevenson next Friday at 7 p.m. at home.