Rattner, Vernon Hills roll past North Chicago
This was no ordinary tumble on a hoops court.
Even a few days later, Vernon Hills senior Sam Rattner was still wheelchair-bound. And there was that first game back at Lakes where, frankly, he didn't shoot the ball well.
But Rattner is back, folks.
He didn't score his first points of the night until the final ticks of the first-quarter clock. And then he treated the home crowd at Vernon Hills to a 21-point night.
Wednesday night was supposed to be a major North Suburban Prairie boys basketball showdown between Vernon Hills and North Chicago. It was for a while - and then the Cougars (7-1, 4-0) took charge and hammered the dangerous Warhawks 65-41.
It was also a joyous night for Cougars senior Robby Nardini. He announced his college plans for hoops (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) and then went out and showed how happy he was. Early in the game, the scoreboard could have read Nardini 7, North Chicago 0.
"We came out ready to play tonight,'' said Vernon Hills coach Matt McCarty. "We've changed the guard a little bit."
Actually, despite the quick start by Nardini (14 points), the Warhawks (5-5, 2-1) charged back quickly as senior Courtez Dixon matched Nardini with a 7-point run of his own. The first of Rattner's three 3-pointers helped the VH lead reach double figures at the end of the opening quarter, 21-11.
"I got my rhythm going tonight,'' Rattner said.
Rattner is a firm believer that this Vernon Hills team is the best team he's been on.
"We've always had a few good players,'' he said. "Now we have at least eight good basketball players. We all played AAU. We all played feeder. This is a really good team."
Bo Manso's lone field goal was good from 3-point range to open the second-quarter scoring, and the Cougars were in control at 24-13.
However, it was still a ballgame at halftime. Vernon Hills led 33-26 at the break.
By the end of the third quarter, it was more one-sided. Cory Levin (7 points) scored on back-to-back plays and Rattner again chimed in from 3-point range. It was 47-31 after three quarters.
Nardini's final bucket of the night came in the middle of the fourth quarter. His play in AAU ball caught the eye of the coaches at Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
"I visited and loved it,'' Nardini said. "It's 3½ hours away so I can still come home."
Nardini quick start set the pace for this win..
"I came out ready to play,'' he said. "We have a ton of potential."
Nardini was pleased to see Rattner's strong effort in this key game.
"He's playing really well,'' he said. "Sam is always in the gym."
North Chicago had a poor start to the final quarter with 7 quick turnovers.
Rattner scored on his last 3-pointer and an old-fashioned 3-point play.
Matt Weaver backed up the Vernon Hills guards with 13 points, while Dixon led the Warhawks with 12 points.