Naperville North freshman Sydney Smith wasn’t surprised that she made the varsity roster this season, but she didn’t expect to crack the starting lineup. But a couple of injuries opened the door for Smith, and the 5-foot-8 guard barreled through. “All of a sudden, they told me I was starting,” Smith said. “I was excited and really happy about it.” Smith has made her teammates and coaches happy with her recent play. In just her second start, Smith tallied a career-high 10 points to go with two steals, two rebounds and an assist to help the Huskies beat visiting Metea Valley 58-44 in DuPage Valley Conference action in Naperville on Thursday. “We kind of knew starting from summer that she was going to be a special player for us,” Naperville North coach Aly Miller said. “She’s got a motor on her, for sure, and helps us on both ends of the floor.” That was evident against the Mustangs (3-6, 0-3), an improving young team that used a trapping defense to try to press the Huskies (6-4, 1-2) into turnovers. The strategy was only moderately successful, due in part to the energetic Smith, who didn’t hesitate to go for loose balls and fend off defenders. “I just know not to freak out,” Smith said. “If I do, then I’ll end up turning it over, so I try to keep my cool and stay calm at all times.” Smith sank 5 of 8 shots, including her first four. Her first basket was a layup off a feed from junior guard Natalie Frempong that gave Naperville North an 18-15 lead after the first quarter. Frempong, who had scored the three previous points to put the Huskies ahead to stay, was terrific, recording a career-high 27 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds. She has been impressed with Smith’s play. “She’s come along since the start of the season,” Frempong said. “She’s a freshman, you know, so she was kind of a little bit scared. “I feel like she’s starting to get out of her shell, which is making her be incredible. I feel like that’s why she played great tonight.” Naperville North’s Sydney Smith (14) passes the ball during a DuPage Valley Conference game against Metea Valley in Naperville on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Troy Stolt / Naperville Sun) Miller appreciates Smith’s multifaceted game. “Defensively, she’s just kind of got a sixth sense to get deflections and steals,” Miller said. “She loves to get on the floor, and she gets all those hustle plays for us, which is just phenomenal. She’s done a great job of stepping into that role.” Smith had a steal and layup that extended Naperville North’s lead to 26-15 midway through the second quarter. It was part of a 14-0 run by the Huskies. Frempong assisted on back-to-back baskets by Smith and junior forward Ema Gilvydis to bump the lead to 44-24 late in the third quarter. In the fourth, Smith made another steal and layup to force a Metea Valley timeout and then fed Gilvydis for a layup. “I feel like me and Sydney kind of match each other’s energy,” Frempong said. “I like that. With her getting steals and passing it up to me, or me getting steals and passing it to her, I feel like we’re just a dynamic duo.” Smith said she found playing varsity basketball intimidating at first, but that is changing. “My teammates are so nice to me,” she said. “They treat me well, so it’s fun.” Naperville North’s Sydney Smith (14) goes for a layup against Metea Valley’s Payton Giannone (2) during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Troy Stolt / Naperville Sun) Frempong, who played on varsity when she was a freshman, has given Smith plenty of pointers. “She’s taught me that if I’m open, shoot it or go to the rim and draw fouls,” Smith said. “Sometimes you have to be selfish, and sometimes I have to see my teammates open.” Smith has proved to be a quick study, which is another quality that has endeared her to Miller. “She’s got a high basketball IQ, and I think it’s a testament to how coachable she is,” Miller said. “Between every dead ball, she’s constantly asking where she needs to be and what she can do. I tell her exactly what she needs to do, and she goes out and executes it.” Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.