Naperville North sophomore Natalie Frempong takes the ‘bull by the horns’ amid changes in the program

Naperville North’s Natalie Frempong knew a sea change was coming.

She wasn’t about to be swamped.

As a freshman last season, Frempong was a sparingly used reserve on a veteran team that was accustomed to doing a lot of winning. But four starters graduated, coach Erin Colletti resigned, and Frempong was left to adjust to a roster full of new teammates and a new coach who ran a different system.

“I prepared for it, definitely, over the summer,” Frempong said. “My parents have also done a great job of mentally training me to be a leader on and off the court, and my teammates have done a great job of picking me up, which gives me motivation and provides support.”

Frempong has provided the young Huskies with plenty of support. The 5-foot-4 sophomore guard leads the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game and also averages 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.9 assists.

That’s a big step up for someone who averaged a few minutes a game last season.

“It’s tough, but I think me experiencing what I experienced last year has definitely prepared me for the spot that I’m in now,” Frempong said. “My teammates picking me up in my bad moments and my good moments definitely plays a big role in my leadership.”

Senior guard Sydni Fink, a Kentucky soccer recruit who is Naperville North’s lone returning starter, has been impressed with Frempong’s play.

“She’s stepped into the role,” Fink said. “She knew that we lost, obviously, a lot of players, and she knew she had to step up. She’s doing a great job bringing the energy.

“A lot of people on the team look up to her even though she’s a sophomore. She’s a great teammate, picks everyone up and kind of leads by example.”

All of which has helped Aly Miller adjust to her first job as a head coach.

“It’s tough as a sophomore to take on that pressure a little bit, being a voice out there on the floor while you’re playing with seniors,” Miller said. “She’s definitely taken the bull by the horns and has become so coachable and kind of our voice out there on the floor.”

Frempong’s play spoke volumes during the Huskies’ DuPage Valley Conference clash with host Metea Valley in Aurora on Thursday. She scored her team’s first eight points — on two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws — and 11 of her game-high 16 points in the first quarter as the Huskies prevailed 53-24 to give Miller her first conference win.

It wasn’t Frempong’s first scoring eruption. She had a career-high 24 points during the Huskies’ 66-61 win against Hinsdale Central on Dec. 16, which snapped a six-game losing streak, and 21 points and six assists during their 73-66 victory against Neuqua Valley at the Montini Christmas Tournament on Dec. 28. That avenged a 53-33 loss in the DVC opener on Dec. 1.

“We look for her on that three because she can hit it,” Fink said. “But she also does a very good job of creating her own shot.”

Frempong also contributed four assists, three rebounds and two steals for the Huskies (7-9, 1-3). Junior guard Anna Richards scored 13 points, and Fink had nine points and eight rebounds. Versatile senior Lucy Burk scored 10 points for Metea Valley (2-10, 0-4).

Fink is Naperville North’s senior leader, but Frempong is a solid building block for the future. Miller said Fink was the primary ballhandler in the early going but that Frempong is taking increased responsibility.

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“Nat is definitely wanting to take on that role now, too, and it is fantastic we’ve got her for a few more years,” Miller said. “The earlier she can start being the floor general, the better.”

That process has already begun.

“Her ballhandling is absolutely phenomenal,” Miller said. “If you look back at that Neuqua game last week, they were throwing multiple defenders at her, and she was bringing up the ball no problem. I’m really proud of the growth she’s made.”

Frempong, a three-sport varsity athlete who also runs cross country and track, is proud of the Huskies’ growth. She has set high goals, knowing one may not be realistic yet.

“We can definitely take a trip down to state,” she said. “I know it sounds really big, especially with our record, but sometimes wins and losses don’t describe the team.

“We have such a great, strong team culture that we can take it downstate. It’s a huge step, and we should take it.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.