On Monday, Feb. 12, the Naperville North girls basketball team defeated Plainfield South in a thrilling victory.
The Huskies (15-15) defeated the Cougars (20-11) with a final score of 52-47.
The first half didn’t start in favor of the Huskies. The team had missed five layups in the first quarter, with their first basket coming at 2:50 left in the first. After the Huskies took the lid off the basket, they were able to put eight more points in the first. Following that, the Huskies found a rhythm offensively and started to click. The defense was lacking as they were down at halftime 21-26. Freshman Ava Podkasik speaks to how the team adjusted in the second quarter.
“We came together in the second quarter and just showed them who we are as a team and that we’re the better team,” Podkasik said.
The third quarter was similar to the second, the flow of the offense was smoother but it could not come up with enough stops to get ahead of the Cougars. The fourth quarter said something different according to the scoreboard, as the Huskies put up eighteen points and took their first lead of the game with a score of 45-44 and four minutes left in the game. It was a close back and forth for the next two minutes as both teams exchanged baskets. But then, the Huskies got a stop on defense and were able to get a basket to go up three points. The Huskies then finished the game winning 52-47. Sophomore Natalie Frempong explains the adjustments they made at halftime.
“We focused most of our energy on defense instead of offense because we knew our defense would turn into offense,” Frempong said.
This wasn’t the first time that these two teams met. In their first game on Jan. 13, the Huskies beat the Cougars 71-62. The Huskies had four players in double figures in that game including Frempong, junior Anna Richards, senior Kendall Johnson and Podkasilk. Head Coach Ally Miller talks about what was different that the Cougars did from the first game.
“First time around we shot the ball very well for four quarters. This time not so much from the perimeter and had to work really hard to get it inside,” Miller said.
This game was part of the IHSA state playoffs, meaning that in order for the Huskies to keep playing, they have to keep winning. Every game is a win or go home scenario. With this win, the Huskies will be playing the Bolingbrook Raiders. The Raiders, who feature former Naperville Central player Trinery Jones, are one of the top teams in the state. Frempong explores the ideas about playing that team.
“I personally don’t really care who’s on what team, but she is a really good player,” Frempong said.
The Huskies next game is against Bolingbrook High School at Plainfield South High School on Feb. 15. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm.
