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Teamwork propels Naperville North past scrappy Lake Park

As Naperville North senior girls basketball standout Kayla Sharples drove the right of the lane in crunch time Thursday at Lake Park, junior teammate Katie Cores was on the other side waiting underneath for whatever might happen next.

“With Kayla, she's the type of player where you never know if she's going to pass it or shoot it. You just have to be ready for her pass and ready to finish,” Cores said.

When Sharples rifled the ball to her, Cores converted with 1:28 left and helped the Huskies win the DuPage Valley Conference opener 53-43 in Roselle.

The Huskies (4-1) scored the final 10 points after the Lancers (2-4) erased an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to tie the game 43-43 with 2:48 remaining.

“We want to have that extra push, that extra energy at the end so when we saw them catch up, we wanted to get that win,” Sharples said. “Since last year we kind of started to build up the program, so we all have a lot of confidence and believe that we have a good opportunity to win the DVC.”

Multiple contributors are helping the Huskies. While Sharples had a game-high 15 points and 12 rebounds, Cores and junior Laurel Pereira each had 11 points and junior Cece Pope added 9.

Pereira took a pass from Pope and nailed a 3 to put Naperville North ahead 46-43. Following a Lake Park turnover, Cores had her inside bucket.

“We've had three girls in double figures every game,” Naperville North coach Jason Dycus said. “I think it's a credit to our girls. It's going to be difficult for teams to just focus on Kayla this year.

“You have to give Lake Park a lot of credit. They played hard, but I'm proud of our girls for persevering. I think we rebounded when we needed to and we played great defense the last two minutes of the game when it counted. But we need to do it consistently.”

A Sharples layup and free throw for an intentional foul appeared to put the Huskies in charge 30-19. Junior Jen Warfield — who had 12 points and 14 rebounds — and freshman Carson Vance's 3 helped the Lancers close to 34-28 entering the fourth quarter.

The Lancers sank four of their eight 3s in the fourth, two by junior Emily Duckhorn, who finished with 11 points. Senior Erica Fant's putback tied the game, but Lake Park then missed its final five shots.

“I think (our 3-point shooting is) what makes us a dangerous team. Even if we're down 10, it's a couple of possessions and we're right back in it,” Lake Park coach Brian Rupp said. “(It was) a couple of rebounds at the end and a couple of misses on our end and a couple of really good plays on their part.”

Both teams played tough man-to-man defense. Sharples, who collected 39 points in last season's two victories over Lake Park, had only four points at halftime, but Pope, Cores and Pereira combined for 19 as the Huskies led 25-17.

“We had three girls that were ready to go and get in (Sharples') face. I'm really happy with the effort we had on her,” Rupp said.

“I give a lot of credit to Lake Park and especially (Sarah Cillick), who was guarding me most of the game,” Sharples said. “I had to contribute to the team in a different way. I'm really proud of all of the girls, especially Cece, Laurel and Katie. I'm real proud of them stepping up because we need that this year.”

Cores also helped Naperville North lead 48-40 in rebounds, grabbing 8, and get 21 more shots than the Lancers.

“We've needed for a while for more people to step up and contribute. When four out of the five contribute (points), whoever they may be, it helps tremendously,” Cores said.

The 6-foot Warfield has been stepping up for Lake Park. This was already her third game with a double-double.

“When she's playing well, that's a typical game for her,” Rupp said. “She's a beast on the boards. They can't get the ball from her.”

Images: Lake Park vs. Naperville North, girls basketball

  Katie Cores of Naperville North goes for the rebound during the Naperville North at Lake Park girls basketball game Thursday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Caleigh Corbett of Naperville North,left, and Emily Duckhorn of Lake Park vie for the ball during the Naperville North at Lake Park girls basketball gameThursday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
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