The Huskie varsity boys basketball team defeated crosstown rival Naperville Central in a dominant fashion on Friday, Dec.13.
The Huskies (4-2) defeated the Redhawks (3-4) with a final score of 74-63.
Both teams started the game on a strong note with Central taking an early lead. As the intensity on the floor and in the crowd rose, North managed to equalize with the help of junior Max Steele (5). Junior forwards Will Harvey (22) and Drew Kessler’s (24) consistent rebounds kept North in the game along with players like sophomore Jack Zitko (12) keeping points up, North gained a 40-33 lead late into the second quarter. The Huskie student section was full of energy and excitement, leading to even more intensity on the floor.
“Whenever the crowd has energy, it energizes me… This is a big game, probably one of the biggest games in the state so when their energy is up, our energy is up. We’re all bouncing around, flying around, it just feeds off,” Zitko said.
Zitko started the second half powerfully, hitting two 3-pointers in a row, forcing Central into a timeout. Intensity continued to rise as both teams constantly fouled back and forth. With outstanding rebounds on both defense and offense, Harvey and Kessler kept the Huskies up until the second half of the fourth quarter. The Redhawks began to come back, being down by 3 with four minutes left in the game. With help from junior Carson Loughlin (3), North managed to steadily increase the score’s distance in a 10 point lead with 25 seconds left. Rebounds from Loughlin and Harvey kept North’s lead to end the game. Harvey shares how the team’s persistence aided them in their win.
“We battled today, offensively we were getting what we wanted, defense dug in when it mattered. That’s what winning teams do, they find a way to win when it gets tough, so that’s what we did today,” Harvey said.
The intense rivalry between the two schools has been going on for decades. Steel details how it is impossible to not feel all the emotion and tension between the groups.
“There’s always a different vibe, the week of, the day of, the locker room before we play Central. To beat them it just feels great… If you don’t bump around, you get bumped around,” Steele said.
Head Coach Gene Nolan believed that the Huskies won the day. Going forward, he wants to have that same energy.
“Gotta win tomorrow, not just the game, but win the day every day. That’s just all we’re focused on,” Nolan said.
The varsity boys basketball team will play their next game on Friday, Dec.20 at Metea Valley High School.
