Just before the start of the North Suburban Conference boys basketball title game at Stevenson on Wednesday, Vernon Hills coach Matt McCarty delivered one final speech to his team.
“I said, ‘It will be nice to win this game, but we have to use this as preparation for the state tournament. In the state tournament, you have to be ready to play every night or you get bounced out,’ ” McCarty said.
In front of a lively crowd that included a boisterous Vernon Hills cheering section, the Prairie Division champions played like a team ready to make a deep playoff run.
The first quarter was Vernon Hills at its best — delirious half-court trapping defense, boosted by the shot-swatting prowess of 6-foot-5 senior center Lem Turner (two first-quarter blocks), and patient ball movement that led to high-percentage shots. The result was a 12-11 lead after eight minutes.
“We brought the energy. We brought the effort,” McCarty said.
But Vernon Hills could not sustain its high level of play. A turnover-filled second quarter (the Cougars had five) led to easy Stevenson baskets and a 28-18 halftime deficit. Vernon Hills got as close as seven points early in the third quarter. But the No. 2-ranked Patriots, coming off their first loss in the state of Illinois in almost a year, did as they often do — bulldoze over an opponent.
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An 18-4 run to end the third quarter put the game out of reach, and the Cougars eventually lost 60-39. Despite the wide margin of defeat, there are abundant reasons for optimism before the Class 3A regional opener on March 4.
“When you play the No. 2 team in the state, you are obviously going to get better,” said senior guard Robby Nardini, who had his worst shooting night of the season against the Patriots, going 0-for-13 from the field and missing all 12 of his three-point attempts. “We want to carry that over to regionals.”
One player the Cougars hope continues to get better is swingman Matt Weaver. The 6-3 senior had his best game of the season against the Patriots, scoring 16 points on 7-for-14 shooting and adding 15 rebounds, seven on the offensive end.
Weaver is a slippery player who often gets tips and putbacks. When he is also making perimeter shots, he forces defenders to guard him, creating open spots on the floor for other shooters like Nardini, Cory Levin, Bo Manso and Sam Rattner.
“When he’s making those outside shots, he’s really tough to guard. We can go to him as a second option,” Levin said.
Vernon Hills enters postseason play after the most decorated regular season in school history. The 25 wins and 12-0 division record are both program bests. The Cougars are hosting their own sectional.
“We are planning on making a long run. I think getting a game [against Stevenson] with a big atmosphere, a big crowd, that really helps us out,” Levin said.
McCarty added: “Our guys are dialed in. They’ve been dialed in the majority of the season. When the state tournament comes, we’ll be ready to play.”
Jon Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.