Grayslake Central sophomore point guard Mosey Drevline knows the importance of free throws in the playoffs.
Her two older sisters, Rosie and MK, were key players for the Rams, and Mosey Drevine remembers all of their games, especially in the postseason.
“I’ve been coming to games for so many years to see them,” she said. “It was so cool to watch them because they are such good players and they taught me how to be a good teammate.
“After watching them win, it really made me want to win, so that’s why this year has been so special.”
Rosie Drevline, a 2019 graduate, was part of four straight Northern Lake Country Conference champions. MK Drevine, a 2021 graduate, was a three-year starter and helped the Rams advance to a Class 3A supersectional in 2020.
Now it’s Mosey Drevline’s turn. On Tuesday, she missed three of her six free-throw attempts in the final 2:45, but she scored eight points and played strong defense as top-seeded Grayslake Central beat fourth-seeded Resurrection 59-45 in the Class 3A Antioch Sectional semifinals.
Junior guard/forward Madison Hoffmann overcame a rough first half to fill the stat sheet with 24 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and three assists for the Rams (26-6), who have won 14 games in a row and will play 10th-seeded St. Viator in the sectional championship game at 7 p.m. Thursday. Hoffmann’s sister Peyton, a freshman guard/forward, added 11 points and eight rebounds, and junior guard Annie Wolff had 12 points and seven boards.
Drevline said she’s motivated to do better at the free-throw line.
“I just don’t get in that situation a lot,” she said. “I think it was the heat of the moment, but the next game I will do better.”
Regardless, Drevline infused the Rams with much-needed energy when she reentered the game early in the fourth quarter to stop a flurry of turnovers. Her speed caused problems for the Bandits (21-11) on both ends of the court, and she hit a pull-up 15-footer to pad the Rams’ lead to 47-40. Grayslake Central ended up scoring on eight of its last nine possessions.
“When you bring energy, it’s a lot more fun,” Drevline said. “I just tried to play at a higher pace and move the ball around and try to help us get the best shot possible.”
Grayslake Central coach Steve Ikenn said his familiarity with the Drevline sisters allowed him to push Mosey Drevline early in her career. She was immediately handed the keys to the Rams’ offense in her freshman season.
“Starting at point guard as a freshman is a tough job,” Ikenn said. “She learned from it and did a nice job last year as time went on. We’ve talked a lot about the fact, as a point guard and you play the schedule we play, that you will have some ups and downs.”
Ikenn said Drevline, who is averaging 4.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals, is not a flashy player who wows opponents.
“She’s really good at getting us in the flow of things and handles the pressure really well,” Ikenn said. “She’s also a pretty nice scorer that people don’t realize. She doesn’t score a ton, but she makes big shots and doesn’t mind taking important shots. We wouldn’t be here without her as our point guard.”
Wolff, a captain, said Drevline has benefited from the Rams’ tough schedule in her first two seasons.
“Mosey is so quick, and she knows how to read her teammates,” Wolff said. “Playing these hard teams made her better, and also handling the pressure of being a point guard allowed her to step up for these games at the end of the season.”
Madison Hoffmann, a three-year starter who was named the conference player of the year, said Drevline’s consistency is a key reason for the Rams’ success.
“We can always count on Mosey,” Hoffmann said. “She’s able to pull the defense to her, and she sees the floor well.”
Drevline said she’s excited to add her name to the family’s history with the Rams, whose five-year run of conference titles ended in 2022. With Drevline running the point, Grayslake Central has won two conference titles in a row.
“This has been so cool,” Drevline said. “My sisters have been big role models for me. I love the game as much as they do. They taught me the importance of teamwork and how to be happy in the good moments and not get too low or high and to enjoy the team.
“I love how our season has been going.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
