Naperville North junior guards Ava and Mia Podkasik have been working on their defense ever since they first started playing one-on-one against each other in their driveway.

The twin sisters scrapped for every rebound and constantly relieved each other of the ball.

“We did it all the time when we were younger,” Ava Podkasik said. “Back then, we weren’t very strong ball handlers, so there were lots of steals, definitely.

“But we were very physical growing up, always aggressive, always competitive with each other. I feel like that’s why we push each other so much and we have so much confidence in each other.”

The driveway showdowns are a thing of the past, but the Podkasiks’ mindsets haven’t changed. For the Huskies (7-1), they’re bringing the defensive heat as teammates.

Ava Podkasik is in her third varsity season and second as a starter. Mia Podkasik has joined her in the starting lineup this season. Both are thriving.

“The two of them are great,” Naperville North coach Aly Miller said. “Obviously, Ava has played up the last couple years, but Mia has kind of jumped in and solidified her role.”

Naperville North’s Mia Podkasik puts up a shot against Hinsdale Central during a nonconference game in Naperville on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

The 5-foot-9 Ava Podkasik, who is 3 inches taller than her sister, is averaging 12.0 points, 7.4 deflections, 5.7 steals, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Mia Podkasik averages 9.3 points, 2.7 deflections, 2.7 steals, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist.

“They’re both great athletes,” Miller said. “They’re very tough kids, they’re both very consistent basketball players for us, and that’s exactly what we need.”

Ava Podkasik made three steals during an opening 9-0 run in the Huskies’ 36-20 nonconference win against visiting Hinsdale Central on Tuesday. She finished with six points, six rebounds and 10 steals, and Mia Podkasik had nine points, four steals and two assists. The Huskies totaled 24 steals.

“That shows that our defense is one of our strong suits,” Mia Podkasik said. “Even if our shots aren’t falling, we can always rely on our defense to get us some steals and get us back in the game, and I think every single girl does a really nice job.”

On Tuesday, no player did it better than Ava Podkasik, who got her steals in a variety of ways. She pilfered the ball from the top of Naperville North’s press, on the wings and in the lane.

“Sometimes I’ll go and attack an offensive player, and then sometimes I’ll stay and drop back,” Ava Podkasik said. “So it’s like the cat-and-mouse game — you bait them in, and then you read the eyes.

“Same thing I did last year, but it all works around our defense because if it passes over me, I have my two row that’s going to be there to help me on my back side. I have confidence in my team.”

Naperville North’s Katie Walker, left, and Mia Podkasik, right, tie up Hinsdale Central’s Kasey Quast during a nonconference game in Naperville on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

That’s especially true when Mia Podkasik is on the floor too.

“It’s kind of like having another clone of me out there,” Ava Podkasik said. “We know where each other are.

“I could be facing backward, and I know she’s behind me, and I’ll pass it with full confidence that she’ll get it. It’s just nice knowing that she has my back whenever, and I’ll always have hers.”

That synergy began long ago.

“Even from a young age, we’ve always been that one-two, extra pass, extra dribble, and it really does show in the game,” Mia Podkasik said. “We have that type of chemistry that really shows on the court.

“We come together and really just play well. We can also feed the ball to other girls to get open looks, and I think once we’re all clicking, it really does change the energy of the game.”

Naperville North’s Ava Podkasik (4) shoots the ball as Hinsdale Central’s Shirin Khairkhah (0) defends during a nonconference game in Naperville on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

But Ava Podkasik’s energy level and defensive technique are next level.

“She always comes out with a different type of energy, always runs with her hands up and is fundamentally strong,” Mia Podkasik said. “I think that just changes the basis of the game. We really need her out there, and she’s a really strong defensive player.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/basketball-naperville-north-ava-podkasik-mia-podkasik/