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At last: Vernon Hills wins at North Chicago

It had been 14 years since the Vernon Hills boys basketball team had won on North Chicago's home floor.

It had also been that long since the Cougars posted a 20-win season.

Well, you can check both of those off the list of accomplishments this year after Vernon Hills' 58-47 North Suburban Prairie Division victory Saturday night in North Chicago.

Vernon Hills improved to 20-3 and 8-0 in the NSC Prairie.

"It's awesome to finally beat them here, and it's even better that we finally got to 20 wins," said senior guard Cory Levin, who popped in 17 points. "They are so fast. So playing zone tonight really helped us keep them out of the paint."

Levin sent the Cougars into halftime tied 28-28 by hitting a half-court shot at the buzzer.

"I didn't even know it went in because I had someone in front of me," Levin said. "Then I heard the reaction of the crowd and knew I made it."

The score was still tied, at 45-45, with less than five minutes left in regulation. But a Robby Nardini runner in the lane gave Vernon Hills the lead for good at 47-45 with 3:52 left.

Then, it was Nardini's bucket that capped the 8-0 run. All of a sudden, Vernon Hills had much-needed breathing room at 53-45 with 1:22 remaining.

Levin added a couple of free-throws and senior guard Jackie Li added one. Nardini's basket down the stretch sealed the deal for Vernon Hills.

"It wasn't the prettiest but we'll take a win on the road anytime, especially against a good North Chicago team," Cougars coach Matt McCarty said. "They had a pretty dominant run on us on their home floor, and it feels great to finally beat them here."

Besides Levin, Nardini and senior forward Matt Weaver also finished in double figures with 19 and 10 points, respectively.

Vernon Hills took great care of the basketball in the second half, committing only 7 turnovers. The pressure defense also forced North Chicago into 10 second-half turnovers.

Courtez Dixon's 14 points led three players in double figures for North Chicago (9-12, 5-3).

"They are well-coached," Warhawks coach Gerald Coleman said of the Cougars, "and getting better and better every year."

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