Boys Basketball: Aaron Simpson sets North Chicago scoring record

This was Aaron Simpson’s night, but the North Chicago senior’s focus is on a team goal: Becoming the first boys basketball team in Lake County to win a state title.

On Friday, North Chicago routed visiting Wauconda 83-54, with Simpson scoring 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting.

In the process, he hit a free throw that gave him 1,677 points — one more than Josh Allen, who had been the school’s all-time career scoring leader.

But that said, the senior guard, who will play next year at Illinois State, is thinking team first and team always.

“I worked so hard on my game and it’s all paid off, but we’re not done yet,” he said. “Not until we get to March and playing for the (state championship).”

Simpson set the record with a free throw with 6:19 left in the second quarter. The game was stopped momentarily for a brief ceremony in which he was given the game ball.

The contest itself, was what you’d expect. North Chicago is 10-2 overall and 5-0 in the North Suburban Prairie.

“This is a dream come true,” said Simpson of the scoring mark. “Since eighth grade, I’ve waited for this moment. I wanted to leave my mark at the school.

“A lot of players have come through North Chicago and to be the one at the top is an unbelievable feeling.”

In the win, Kurt Hall had 15 points, JaVairius Amos-Mays 11, and Kelly Brown 10.

Wauconda (7-8 overall, 1-4 in the division) got 20 points from Kyle Ryan.

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