Boys basketball: Wauconda cruises past Vernon Hills for 3A regional title

Wauconda kept Vernon Hills off guard. Literally.

The Bulldogs guard duo of Alex Ortega and Leo Brinias combined for 41 points, 9 assists and 5 steals to lead Wauconda to a 57-36 win over Vernon

Hills in the title game of the 3A Wauconda Regional Friday night.

Wauconda (26-7) plays Deerfield in the 3A Deerfield Sectional Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Ortega connected on 11-of-14 shots from the field in scoring 24 points and dealt out 5 assists with 3 steals for the winners.

"I was able to get to the basket and get layups," said Ortega. Any time I had any type of opening I took the ball to the

basket. It is a great feeling to win the regional especially at home."

Wauconda coach Ty Weidner is impressed with Ortega's leadership.

"Alex sets the tempo for us," said the Wauconda boss. He does a great job of running the floor which opens

the lanes for others."

Brinias terrorized the Cougars (22-11) from 3-point range with 5 3-pointers and 17 points. He also dished out 4 assists and

had 2 steals for the Bulldogs.

"My teammates did a great job of getting me the ball in good position to shoot," said Brinias. I hit the first couple

3's and got in the groove.

Said Weidner: "We got good looks for Leo. He really opened up things for our offense.

Tony Salemi added 7 points with 5 blocks and Austin Carlsen scored 6 points with 4 assists for the Dogs.

The Wauconda defense held Vernon Hills to 4 baskets and 12 points in the second half.

"Our defense did a great job the whole game especially in the second half," said Weidner. We didn't give them many good looks. We really

grinded it out on defense.

Vernon Hills won 22 games and is a very good team. I have the utmost respect for coach McCarty (Mike)."

Wauconda broke the game open to end the first half. Holding a narrow 1-point 17-16 lead early in the second quarter, the Bulldogs outscored

the Cougars 16-8 to end the half. Wauconda led 33-24 at intermission.

During the pivotal surge, Brinias, Carlsen and Cole Plucinski hit 3's.

Wauconda took control of the game by scoring the first 6 points of the second half to take a 15-point 39-24 lead. Brinias scored

all 6 points on a pair of 3-pointers.

"Their guards Ortega and Brinias played very well, " said McCarty. You have to give them credit. They have great speed. They are

a great team and are deserving of a third seed. Our kids battled. We ended with 22 wins which is the second most in school

history. We lose 9 seniors who are basketball junkies. We lose some great kids. These kids are team first."

Brady Larsen led the Cougars with 13 points (3 3-pointers) and Hudson Self added 12.