Jaxson Davis seals Warren's win against Waukegan with steal in final seconds

Warren at Waukegan is one of the special treats for Chicago-area high school basketball fans. It’s a rivalry game between neighboring towns in one of the classic old gyms in the state.

Blue Devils junior Jaxson Davis is the top attraction in Illinois, and the kids from Gurnee will be favored in just about every game they play this season. But the Bulldogs were confident heading into the game Saturday.

Much of the positivity around Waukegan is because of 6-5 senior Simereon Carter, who has raised his level of play significantly in the last few weeks. He has become the go-to scorer for a well-balanced, veteran team that nearly beat Warren in the sectional final last season.

Carter scored 27 points against Crystal Lake South and 22 against Johnsburg this season. There is significant buzz around him.

The game many fans expected, however, never materialized. Carter rolled his ankle after only 73 seconds. He tried to play a couple of times, including a brief stint in the second half, but it was a no-go.

The No. 11 Bulldogs kept the game close without Carter, but Davis stepped up in the final seconds and made a steal to secure No. 5 Warren’s 60-57 victory.

‘‘[Carter] had been playing like a first-team all-stater,’’ Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw said.

Davis is a first-team all-stater. He finished with 23 points and asserted himself in the final 30 seconds, making four consecutive free throws to put the Blue Devils (5-1, 2-0 North Suburban) ahead by three, then stealing the ball on the last play to keep the Bulldogs from getting a shot to tie the score.

‘‘I read the guy’s eyes,’’ Davis said. ‘‘I knew they were going to try to get it to [point guard Carter Newsome]. He’s hit big shots in the past, and he hit shots in this game.’’

Both teams started hot and shot a collective 10-for-19 from three-point range in the first half. Waukegan (6-2, 1-1) scored the first five points of the third quarter to tie the score at 37 but then cooled off and never managed to tie or take the lead again.

Warren senior Avonn King, who hurt his ankle in practice earlier in the week, had 13 points and six rebounds. Braylon Walker added four points and 12 rebounds.

Warren senior Avonn King, who hurt his ankle in practice earlier in the week, had 13 points and six rebounds. Braylon Walker added four points and 12 rebounds.

‘‘Last night, I didn’t think Avonn would play,’’ Blue Devils coach Zack Ryan said. ‘‘He didn’t practice [Friday], but he came out on fire. He gritted it out.’’

Warren seniors Joel Paasch (nine points) and Javin Griffin (10) have greatly expanded roles this season. They’ve become significant contributors quickly.

‘‘They were practice guys last year, so they understand what we have to do,’’ Davis said. ‘‘Tonight, they matched Waukegan’s level. They were really prepared. Those dudes stepped up.’’

Davis has played seven or eight varsity games at the Dog Pound, including a double-overtime victory in the sectional final last season. He’s very comfortable playing the Bulldogs’ historic gym.

‘‘It’s fun to play here,’’ Davis said. ‘‘[The Waukegan fans] don’t really get on me. Maybe in the future. I don’t know where the sectional is, but if we end up back here for the playoffs, it might be more rowdy.’’

Senior Adrian Serrano led the Bulldogs with 16 points and five rebounds. Jaali Rico Love added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Trey’Veon Roberts 13 points. Newsome finished with seven points.

‘‘We are always going to fight back,’’ Ashlaw said. ‘‘We have tough players. That doesn’t always win games, [but] it keeps you in games. When it is good talent vs. good talent, the win goes to who runs their stuff better. And sometimes that is where we get the C-minus in the grade book. We don’t allow our stuff to enhance our talent.’’