Nardini, VH take consolation title at Wheeling

The one-two punch of Robby Nardini and Matt Weaver led Vernon Hills to a consolation championship Saturday at the 37th annual Wheeling Hardwood Classic.

Nardini scored 31 points, and Weaver added 17 as the Cougars defeated Waukegan 78-57.

Bo Manso added 10 points for the winners, who fought off a tough Bulldogs full-court press for the entire game to score the win.

"It was a little bit of give and take tonight," said Vernon Hills coach Matt McCarty. "We had some turnovers due to their pressure, but we also were able to get some transition baskets that I think that outweighed the turnovers."

"We knew we couldn't dribble through (the pressure)," said Nardini, who sank 3 three-pointers. "We passed the ball through the passing lanes."

Nardini, a senior guard, scored the first 7 points of the contest. Then classmate Weaver put up the next 9 points to lead the Cougars to an early double digit lead.

Vernon HIlls led by 20 early in the third quarter, but a Waukegan rally saw the Bulldogs close the gap to 53-46 late in the stanza.

"I was proud of the way the guys responded," said McCarty. "They did a nice job of attacking the basket and getting some jump shots."

Early in the fourth quarter, Nardini had a 3-point play to extend the lead back to double digits, and a minute later his layup gave the Cougars a 67-51 lead.

The Bulldogs couldn't get any closer, partly due to poor 3-point shooting, which for the most part was caused by tough defense from Vernon Hills.

Waukegan finished 2-of-14 from behind the arc, and their first 3 didn't come until 1:14 remained in the game.

Cory Levin pitched in with 8 points for the Cougars, while 6-foot- 7 junior center Eric Weiler added 4 points and some inside presence for Vernon Hills.

"I was happy with the way we responded to their comeback," said Nardini. "We were able to get some good shots and keep the lead."