The student news site of Naperville North High School

The North Star

The student news site of Naperville North High School

The North Star

The student news site of Naperville North High School

The North Star

Time Out with Kayla Sharples

By Staff Writer John Conway

Earlier this week, the NNHS North Star caught up with junior Kayla Sharples, girls varsity basketball point guard. Last weekend, the girls went 2-1 in the Christmas Classic Tournament, and they hope to finish the tournament well in the upcoming weekend. Sharples shows strong leadership characteristics on the court, and she is frequently the top scorer for her team.

Q: What is the best thing about your sport?

A: It is really hard to pinpoint my favorite thing about basketball. I love everything about the game. I love how fast paced basketball is and how basketball is a game that can change at any given moment. I love the pressure and competing at a high level. I love scoring, assisting, stealing, rebounding, and fast breaking. But most of all, I love being a part of a team and the camaraderie it brings.

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Q: What is the worst thing about your sport?

A: [The worst thing about my sport] is when I play down to the level of competition against a team that we should handily beat.

Q: How far are you looking to take your sport?

A: I am always looking to play at the highest of my capability. If I could play two sports in college, basketball would be one of them. However, I am already verbally committed to play soccer at Northwestern University.

Q: What is the most important contribution you make to your team?

A: I play with a lot of heart and bring a lot of energy and competitiveness to every game.

Q: How have you evolved as an athlete over the years?

A: I really think my court IQ and sense has evolved over the years.

Q: What Coaches/Mentors have inspired you over the years?

A: All my coaches have helped me develop as an athlete. Over the years, they have helped me realize my potential and made me the basketball player and athlete I am today.[Coach] Hantak taught me that rebounding is 95% heart and 5% talent, and Coach Dycus has taught us as a team to rely on each other and to be selfless. My former basketball coach, Coach Discipio, had faith in me as a freshman to compete at the varsity level, and she taught me to have confidence in my basketball abilities.

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Time Out with Kayla Sharples