Naperville North’s Sam Kelly has always wanted the chance to be in charge.

The senior guard has got it this season.

“Definitely we want her to be in charge,” Naperville North coach Aly Miller said. “She was nominated by her teammates and by us as coaches to be one of our captains this year, which is exactly the role we foresee for her.

“She’s our point guard, so we want her to be vocal. We want her to be the captain out there on the floor and also off the floor.”

The 5-foot-6 Kelly is off to a good start. She made three steals in the opening minutes of the Huskies’ season opener at Plainfield East on Monday.

Kelly turned the first two into assists on baskets by junior guard Ava Podkasik and sophomore guard Sydney Smith and took the third one for a layup.

Naperville North’s Sam Kelly (12) breaks Plainfield East’s press during a nonconference game in Plainfield on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / Naperville Sun)

It was part of an opening 12-0 run during which the Huskies forced turnovers on the first nine possessions en route to a 65-23 win.

Kelly finished with six points, five steals and two assists in a little over one half of action — not a bad debut as Naperville North’s new point guard.

“I’m excited,” she said. “It’s a goal I’ve always had. I feel like I’ve kind of worked my way up to get to this spot that I am at, and I feel comfortable with where I’m at.”

This is Kelly’s second varsity season but her first quarterbacking the offense after senior guard Natalie Frempong transferred to Bolingbrook. Kelly has quickly found a comfort level.

“I also have my team supporting me,” she said. “I don’t think I’d be able to do anything that I do out on the court or off the court without their support, so they motivate me to try to be the best player and leader that I can be.”

Miller thinks Kelly’s best will help the Huskies at both ends of the court.

“Definitely on the offensive end we need her scoring,” Miller said. “She’ll find her opportunities for that, but I think with her it starts on the defensive end.

“She plays so quick and so hard. She just has a great feel for getting deflections, which lead to steals, which leads to transition, which is exactly what we want.”

Naperville North’s Sam Kelly (12) calls a play as she brings the ball up the court against Plainfield East during a nonconference game in Plainfield on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / Naperville Sun)

That’s exactly what the Huskies got against Plainfield East, coming up with 26 steals and forcing 37 turnovers. Twelve players had at least one steal, with Kelly, Podkasik and junior guard Mia Podkasik all getting five.

Mia Podkasik also scored 10 points, while Ava Podkasik added seven points and five assists. Smith, meanwhile, tallied 13 of her game-high 16 points in the first half as the Huskies surged to a 43-10 lead. Freshman guard Savannah Shufelt added 12 points off the bench.

Smith, who is in her second varsity season, is pleased that Kelly has taken the reins.

“I’m really happy for her,” Smith said. “She leads our team with basically everything. She knows how to set up our offense, she’s always hustling on defense and she’s basically the finishing puzzle piece.”

Smith thinks Kelly’s performance Monday is a sign of things to come.

“She has always been good, so I think she’ll be really good this season,” Smith said. “I’ve always looked up to her as a person and as a player.”

Kelly, who made 2 of 7 shots against the Bengals, is a 3-point threat, but she’s not the only one. The Huskies have plenty of scoring options.

“I think we’re widespread, which is great,” Miller said. “We’ve built a lot of depth, which is a beautiful thing.

“A lot of girls are getting touches and opportunities, which is awesome. They’ve learned in these early weeks how to play with each other, and like you saw, their ball movement is really great, so we’re excited for this year.”

Naperville North’s Sam Kelly (12) tries to block passing lanes against Plainfield East during a nonconference game in Plainfield on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / Naperville Sun)

So is Kelly, who is actually trying not to get too excited.

“I’m just going to try to be as calm and collected as I can this season,” she said. “That’s something I’ve been working on a lot the past few seasons, just being a calming presence getting us into those sets, getting us into those plays, so I can get girls the look that they need and I can get plays going.”

Miller is confident that Kelly will do just that.

“She’s just a great kid,” Miller said. “She’s put in a lot of work in the offseason to be ready for this year, so I think she’s more than prepared, and we’re excited for what she’s going to do this year.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/18/basketball-naperville-north-sam-kelly/