She’s come a long way.
Last week, senior center Katie Nolan became the program’s fourth 1,000-point scorer by sinking a free throw late in Yorkvile’s 67-49 win at Kaneland, and perhaps that was fitting.
“I remember my first game on varsity,” Nolan said of her freshman year. “I airballed both of my free throws, that’s how nervous I was. And those were my first two shots.”
No more.
The 6-foot-1 Nolan is the rock in the middle, a steadying force for the Northern Illinois Big 12 East-leading Foxes (19-1, 9-0).
“I started on the sophomore team my freshman year and moved up after the Thanksgiving tournament,” Nolan said. “So instead of going from eighth grade to varsity, there was a little bit of a transition.
“That helped and the fact that those seniors were so nice helped me, too Those seniors really taught me a lot about leadership.”
Nolan now has a similar role. She leads Yorkville in scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.3 points and nine rebounds, respectively. But she does much more.
“She’s one of our huge, vocal leaders,” Foxes coach Kim Wensits said. “She’s like having another coach on the floor.”
It was apparent as Nolan got closer and closer to the milestone. She entered the game needing 11 points, but didn’t know exactly where she stood.
“I thought I was like 45-ish away from it,” she said. “I just knew I started the season at 790-something.”
That’s why she was surprised when Wensits called timeout after that free throw. She then heard Kaneland’s public-address announcer, in a classy move by the Knights, relay Nolan’s feat to the crowd.
Throughout the game, she looked like anything but a player chasing a milestone. Time and time again, she passed up what would have been considered good shots to kick the ball out to teammates who were open on the perimeter.
“I’ve been on varsity for a long time, so I know that teams are going to double and triple-team me at times,” she said. “It’s really important that once we establish the inside game and they do that, I kick it back out.
“We have amazing shooters, which is really nice. I like it when I have more assists than points.”
Nolan finished the game with 12 points, giving her 1,001 for her career. She added 13 more in Saturday’s lopsided 70-47 win over Sterling.
Her 1,014 points move Nolan past Alesia Perry into third place on the school’s all-time list. Perry produced 1,010 points from 1997-2000. Nolan already is the program’s rebounding leader with 692.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Nolan said of the milestone. “It’s awesome that I got there. I feel really good about that, but it means my career is close to coming to an end.”
Wensits isn’t looking forward to that, either.
“I’m glad she got this accomplishment,” Wensits said. “She’s one of the best you could ask for as a coach.”
Nolan has signed for a scholarship at NCAA Division II Seton Hill in Greensburg, Penn.
But she may hit more milestones in her remaining short time at Yorkville. With six regular-season games left, Nolan could become the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Meghan Voiland leads with 1,091 from 2000-03, while Kelly Kramer ranks second with 1,048 from 1992-94. If she maintains her season average, Nolan would catch both.
The playoffs, though, will be her focus. Yorkville has yet to win a regional title since moving up to Class 4A.
“It’s a goal to win one, and we’re going to,” she said.
Twitter @RickArmstrong28