A 4-0 record in the North Suburban Conference does not a season make. But it's one heck of a start for the Vernon Hills boys basketball team.

With a convincing 65-41 win over North Chicago this past week, the Cougars improved to 8-1 on the year and head into this week's Wheeling Hardwood Classic Tournament with a ton of confidence.

"I asked the kids last night if they expected to be off to this kind of start by the time we head into this tournament and they all nodded their heads," Vernon Hill coach Matt McCarty said. "The kids expected to be where we are right now. We could have been 9-0 if we hit some free throws during the (Northridge Prep) Thanksgiving Tournament.

"We had a good summer and a phenomenal finish to the season last year. And with all the starters back, the kids expected to be here."

So did the league. The rise to the top is hardly a surprise for a team that struggled out of the gate and rallied to finish 17-10 a season ago and reach a regional championship game.

Senior Robby Nardini, the Wisconsin-Stevens Point signee is leading the way, as expected. His 25 points against North Chicago helped put him in the school record books as he surpassed the 1,000 point barrier.

"Everyone knows what to do on this team and Nardini's the scorer. He shoots a lot, but nobody minds because he scores a lot," McCarty said. "And the other guys do their own things. And when someone's having an off night, someone else picks him up. From a coach's perspective, when everyone does their job, there's not too much else to worry about."

Senior Matt Weaver has been getting it done on both sides of the court, pulling down 16 points and eighth rebounds Friday against Grayslake Central and added 13 points and eight boards against North Chicago.

Bo Manso is a reliable, multi-position athlete who usually draws the best player from the other team. Against Grayslake Central he also showed his offensive capability, scoring just three points but adding eight assists.

Point guard Cory Levin runs the floor and has showed an ability to score when needed, putting up 18 points and four assists recently against Antioch.

Senior Lem Turner, who will play volleyball for Ball State next year, is averaging 3.1 blocks per game and is the team's primary rim protector while sixth man Sam Rattner, who suffered what many thought was a serious injury against Northridge Prep, appears to be back for good, scoring 21 points against North Chicago.

A great start to the season does not guarantee a great finish. But it appears the Cougars are prepared to battle through whatever doldrums may come and finish as strong as they've started.

"You never know what's going to happen," McCarty said. "We went through some dog days last year. It was a long January. But hopefully with our depth and our juniors playing so well in practice, we can make something happen."

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