Boys Basketball

Scouting Vernon Hills

Posted November 16, 2017 12:00 am

By Patricia Babcock McGraw

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHVERNON HILLS COUGARSCoach: Matt McCarty (15th season)

Last year: 5-23, 1-9 CSLN

Last year's tournament finish: Lost in Class 3A regional semifinals to St. Viator, 70-42,

Key players lost: G/F Chris Mariella

Key players returning: G Luke Perlin, sr., F/C Payton Foster, sr., F Derrick Jones, sr.

Newcomers: G Joey Levitan, jr., G Tony Brown, jr.

Outlook: Vernon Hills was in more than its fair share of tight games last season. And unfortunately for the Cougars, they often wound up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. "We had a couple of tough overtime losses and close games to end up conference play last year so we are hoping the experience we have coming back can get us over the hump in tight games this year," Vernon Hills coach Matt McCarty said. A solid core returns from last year in Luke Perlin, Payton Foster and Derrick Jones. Perlin, who returned to basketball last season a little late because of a run downstate made by the football team, got into a great rhythm by the end of last season. He had games of 33, 25, 22 and 17 points over the final weeks. "We are looking for Luke to be a consistent scorer for us this year," McCarty said. "He can shoot it from the arc and drive it. Foster, also a late arrival last year from football, started every game last year. "He gives us a nice, strong presence inside and he has been working hard on improving his perimeter game," McCarty said of Foster. Meanwhile, Jones averaged 6.5 points per game as a full-time starter last year and McCarty believes he can average double-digits this season. "I was pleased with the growth and maturity of (Perlin, Foster and Jones) on the court over the last month of last season," McCarty said. "And they have continued to work on improving ever since. They are surrounded by several other seniors who understand their roles. The team worked very hard over the summer and have been committed to getting better each and every time they have stepped into the gym."

Opener: Monday (6 p.m.) vs. Chicago Holy Trinity at the Northridge Prep Thanksgiving tournament

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