Naperville North’s Abby Homan deserves more playing time.
The 6-foot junior forward knows she’s not going to get it until next season — and she’s OK with that.
“I’m grateful we have a great team,” said Homan, who’s in her third year on the varsity. “I will do whatever the team needs me to do to win.
“The team goal, at the end of the day, is to win. So, I’ll do whatever I can.”
Homan has had to settle for a reserve role on a powerhouse team. She typically plays 7-10 minutes a game as the first one off the bench for the Huskies, who beat Waubonsie Valley 68-44 Tuesday night to extend their winning streak to 15 games.
That doesn’t give her much chance to show off her burgeoning skills.
“At any other program, she’s starting,” Naperville North coach Erin Colletti said. “But she is a team player. When she comes in, she’s not trying to overdo things like, ‘OK, I’m in, I’ve got to score.’
“She just wants to do what we need to do in that possession offensively and defensively. That’s what is great about her.”
Homan usually makes an impact when she does play for the Huskies (27-2). She scored six points on 3-for-5 shooting and had three rebounds Jan. 25 in a 58-31 rout of potential sectional semifinal opponent Downers Grove North.
Senior point guard Kenzie Hare appreciates what Homan has to offer.
“Abby is super important,” Hare said. “When she comes off the bench, she really brings the energy.
“She is a smart player. She knows when to do her little spin move, and she makes it every single time.”
Homan doesn’t always get that opportunity. She played only five minutes and attempted only one shot in Tuesday’s victory.
The win capped Naperville North’s fourth straight undefeated DuPage Valley Conference championship and allowed the Huskies to tie the program record for most regular-season wins.
One reason for the limited minutes is the stellar play of Tufts-bound senior center Sarah Crossett and junior forward Peyton Fenner. Both are having career years.
“Abby is in a rotation with two very talented players, and sometimes it’s hard to take Fenner or Crossett off the floor because they are producing so well,” Colletti said. “Homan has guard skills, too, but we also have Layla (Henderson) and Abby (Drendel), so we have so much quickness and depth.”
Homan has played mostly power forward, though Colletti said she will take over at center after Crossett graduates. The two worked out together regularly in the offseason.
“She’s such a great player,” Crossett said of Homan. “She works so hard. She’s always in the gym and always asking questions, making sure she knows the role.
“If she has to come in, she knows exactly what she’s doing.”
Part of that comes from inquisitiveness. Homan frequently consults for insight with the Saint Louis-bound Hare, who scored 22 points Tuesday to surpass the 2,400 mark for her career.
“She’s always asking questions,” Hare said. “She likes to see things from the guard position as well, to see where to roll and where we like it. She’s fun to play with.”
Homan realizes she will get her chance to start next season, but she’s focused now on what could be a deep playoff run.
“This team is special,” Homan said. “Everybody plays their role. I’ve never felt so welcomed on a team. Everybody supports each other. That’s really the key to our success.”
Colletti said the Huskies will have success next season too. And Homan will be a key piece.
“She is growing mentally and growing her game physically,” Colletti said. “She’s getting stronger, so we are going to expect a lot out of her next year with the rebounding, being a presence inside and being a vocal leader.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.