A program-building victory for Naperville North

Naperville North coach Jason Dycus is in the business of building a girls basketball program, and Monday's night's home contest against Plainfield Central was a small step in that process.

Every player on the roster saw game action as the Huskies built a 20-point lead after three quarters and held on for a 53-47 nonconference victory to move to 8-3 on the season.

"We were working on some things tonight and we wanted to take some time, but I'm certainly proud to be getting out of here with the win," Dycus said. "I think getting everyone in the game helps our overall program. When you're trying to build something, you want to get everyone as much game experience as you can."

Kayla Sharples led Naperville North with 17 points as the senior forward has continued to progress on the court in her final year with the Huskies.

"I think Kayla is a top 50 player for a reason," Dycus said. "She's good at everything, and what she's best at is being coachable and she is the ultimate competitor."

Sharples' 5 first-quarter points helped get Naperville North off to an early lead, but it was a 3-pointer by Laurel Pereira at the first quarter buzzer that extended the Huskies' lead to 16-11 and started a 16-0 run.

Plainfield Central's Hennessey Handy knocked down a jumper with 1:33 left in the half that ended the Huskies' run, but it was the only field goal that the Wildcats connected on in the entire second quarter.

The teams combined for 26 first-half turnovers, a stat Sharples and her teammates know they have to work on limiting going forward.

"Throughout the first and second half we had a lot of turnovers, so that's something we know we have to work on," Sharples said. "But I'm proud and happy that everyone got to play tonight because it's all about seeing everyone improving. Having everyone play definitely builds team chemistry."

Sharples finished with 8 third-quarter points as her last basket came off a steal and fastbreak layup with 1:05 left.

Allie Hamman's jumper with nine seconds left in the third quarter, followed by Morgan Lockridge's 3 at the start of the fourth quarter, gave the Huskies their biggest lead at 51-28.

Plainfield Central controlled much of the fourth quarter as they outscored the Huskies 19-5 against mostly non-starters. Hennessey scored 8 of her team-high 17 points during that stretch.

"I would say tonight wasn't one of our better games," Dycus said. "We don't normally turn the ball over as much as we did. We have to work under duress and cut down on those turnovers."