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A super North Suburban finale for Stevenson

While Stevenson's boys basketball was beating every team in the North Suburban Lake Division twice this season, Vernon Hills was busy doing the same on the Prairie side. That meant Cougars forward Matt Weaver relied on what he heard and read about the Patriots.

Sure, the Patriots may be super, man, but they aren't all Superman (Jalen Brunson aside, perhaps).

"You realize, they're human," Weaver said. "They bleed just like me. They sweat."

Playing in its first NSC championship game Wednesday night at Stevenson, Vernon Hills had the Patriots sweating after one quarter, as the visitors enjoyed a one-point lead. But Stevenson built a 10-point advantage by halftime and pulled away in the second half to capture a 60-39 decision.

The victory gave Stevenson (23-3) its third conference championship in a row.

"Coming off a loss (to Simeon in the City-Suburban Showdown Saturday night), we were hungry to get back on the court," Stevenson forward Parker Nichols said. "The North Suburban Conference - there's no other conference like this."

Brunson finished with a game-high 20 points, including a 3-pointer and pair of dunks, while adding 5 steals and 5 rebounds. The Patriots celebrated and took pictures on their home court afterward, but they realize the state tournament starts next week and their expectations are to advance downstate for a third straight year.

"We need to play better," Brunson said. "We need to come out and play hard every night. We can't take any team for granted."

Weaver led Vernon Hills (25-4) with 16 points and 15 rebounds, but leading scorer Robby Nardini was held without a point for the first time this season. The Wisconsin-Stevens Point recruit landed awkwardly on his left ankle after taking a 3-pointer less than two minutes into the game. He limped around but stayed in the game. He finished 0 of 12 from beyond the arc and 0 of 13 overall.

"When you play, you really don't think about (the injury)," said Nardini, who hobbled out of Stevenson's gym with ice on his ankle. "You just got to play."

Nardini had the unenviable task of trying to defend Brunson, who attacked the basket all night and put on his usual dribbling display.

"He's an incredible player," Nardini said. "I tried to slow him down. I was definitely tired, but that shouldn't affect my shot at all."

Nardini played creditably on Brunson, who shot 8 of 19 from the field.

"He didn't have probably as good as a game as he wanted against Simeon," Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose said of Brunson. "So he focused on having a good game."

Stevenson starting guard Matt Johnson missed his third game in the last five with a nagging foot injury, but Ambrose anticipates the senior will play next week. Starting in Johnson's place, Ryan Rosenbaum responded with 6 points and 9 rebounds. Connor Cashaw (8 rebounds) scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, as the Patriots built a 48-30 lead by the end of the third quarter.

Nichols (three 3-pointers) and Justin Smith each added 9 points and 5 rebounds. Nichols also took 2 more charges to increase his season-single school-record total to 36.

Weaver's 3-pointer had Vernon Hills within 30-23 with 6:25 left in the third, but Stevenson responded with an 18-4 run. Brunson had a steal and breakaway dunk and then delivered a hard bounce pass to Cashaw, who muscled up a layup over shot-blocking machine Lem Turner.

Bo Manso had 9 points on three 3s for Vernon Hills, while Turner's 8 points included a dunk.

"Stevenson definitely made us better," Nardini said.

"I really liked the fight and effort we gave," Cougars coach Matt McCarty said. "I thought we represented the Prairie Division real well tonight. It's great experience and great preparation for the state tournament. The energy we started with tonight, we got to come out with that in the state tournament."

  Vernon Hills' Bo Manso, left, catches an elbow to the face from Stevenson's Connor Cashaw during the NSC title game Wednesday night at Stevenson. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Stevenson's Jalen Brunson goes in for a dunk against Vernon Hills in the NSC title game Wednesday night at Stevenson. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Stevenson's Jalen Brunson celebrates after a dunk against Vernon Hills in the NSC title game Wednesday night at Stevenson. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills' Robby Nardini, left, defends against Stevenson's Jalen Brunson during the NSC title game Wednesday night at Stevenson. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Stevenson's Connor Cashaw, left, draws a hard foul from Vernon Hills' Lem Turner on Wednesday night at Stevenson. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills' Robby Nardini, left, and Stevenson's Jalen Brunson scramble for a loose ball during the NSC title game Wednesday night at Stevenson. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Stevenson's Justin Smith goes in for a dunk against Vernon Hills during the NSC title game Wednesday night at Stevenson. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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