Katelyn Marcelain’s nonstop activity is one of the reasons the Grayslake Central girls basketball team has played in two straight supersectionals.
When the senior forward is on the court, the Rams connect better, and the whole operation runs more smoothly.
“She just quietly goes about her business,” Grayslake Central coach Steve Ikenn said. “She goes out there and grinds. She just does whatever we need her to do, and she does it with a smile on her face. People don’t realize what she does for us.”
The 5-foot-11 Marcelain was both highly visible and highly productive during the Rams’ 51-45 loss to Montini in the Class 3A Hersey Supersectional at the Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights on Monday. She seemed to be wherever the action was, getting her finger tips on a loose ball, forcing an opponent into a tough shot or corralling one of her team-high eight rebounds.
“She’s always good to make some shots, get some rebounds, get some blocks, play good defense,” Ikenn said.
Marcelain’s all-around effort helped the Rams (28-6) overcome a 26-8 deficit in a span of nine minutes. She made free throws on two separate trips as Grayslake Central closed the first half with seven straight points. Early in the third quarter, Marcelain hit her fourth 3-pointer of the season and assisted senior forward Madison Hoffmann, who scored a team-high 20 points, on the first of her two 3-pointers.
By the time senior guard/forward Annie Wolff scored with two minutes left in the quarter, the Rams were on a 23-3 run and led 31-29.
“Obviously, the offense doesn’t run through me, and I’ve never been a big scorer,” Marcelain said. “I’ve always focused on the defense and rebounding. I may not be able to do some of the stuff my teammates can do, but I can help the energy.”
Marcelain did that from the opening tip. She chased down a loose ball to extend two of the Rams’ first three possessions, and she lofted a perfect entry pass to Hoffmann for the team’s first basket on the other possession. On Grayslake Central’s fourth possession, Marcelain grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled as she tried to score, leading to two made free throws.
“She makes all of those extra hustle plays,” Ikenn said.
Marcelain finished with seven points, three assists and two steals against Montini, which also beat Grayslake Central in the supersectional last year.
“When we cut the lead down and we took the lead, that was really exciting,” Marcelain said. “At halftime … we knew we’d come back stronger than ever. Take things one possession at a time.”
Game after game, Marcelain’s teammates know she will have a positive effect.
“We can always depend on her to get rebounds because she never gives up on a play,” junior point guard Mosey Drevline said. “You always see her on the ground diving for balls. She’s so tough, and she never gives up. She just has the heart. She cares about everything so deeply and wants everyone to do well.”
Marcelain leaves it all on the court.
“We always have to have positive energy, whether we’re down 18 or not,” she said. “The reason we fought back is because we had that energy, and it’s hard to find when you’re losing. We cared about one another and wanted the win for us. We proved a lot by fighting back.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
