Naperville North junior Carson Loughlin began the season as a complete unknown, like most of his teammates.
That anonymity won’t last long.
“Carson is what I call a whatever-you-need guy,” Naperville North coach Gene Nolan said. “Anything you need, he’s going to do it to the best of his ability.
“Because of that, he’s really improved, and I think he’s going to continue to do so.”
Loughlin, a 6-foot-2 guard/forward, has emerged as a key leader on a young, undersized team. The Huskies lost 12 players to graduation after last season, leaving Loughlin’s longtime friend, junior guard Max Steele, as the only player with previous varsity playing experience.
While basketball fans may not know Loughlin, Steele has been eagerly awaiting Loughlin’s varsity debut.
“I used to play baseball with Carson since we were like 8, so he’s been my good buddy for a long time,” Steele said. “I knew how good this guy was going to be.”
Loughlin was really good Saturday, scoring a team-high 17 points and grabbing six rebounds during the Huskies’ loss to York in the Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Shootout at Waubonsie Valley.
Loughlin, who scored the first six points of the game, helped the Huskies (4-2) go toe-to-toe with York’s big men, 6-8 junior center Hunter Stepanich and 6-5 junior center Costa Kampas, despite the loss.
“Carson is a really tough kid,” Nolan said. “He can play at both ends. He is defensively always in position, and he’s physical.”
Loughlin showed that in the fourth quarter, when he took a charge, sank a 3-pointer and scored on a layup after making a steal.
“He’s gritty,” Steele said.
Loughlin is relishing the challenge but said his success is interwoven with that of his teammates.
“I thought I’ve been playing pretty well,” he said. “I love playing basketball here. We play great team basketball. That’s the thing about Naperville North. We’re always sharing the ball, always moving, and everybody is playing tough defense.”
Loughlin is only one cog in that machine, but he is the one who is behind the wheel.
“I think Carson’s biggest thing is even though he’s new, he’s been a leader,” Steele said. “He’s helped me lead.
“He brings a lot of energy at practice and in games. He’s willing to hold people accountable but also praise people, which I think is really big for Carson, and I’m really proud of him for that.”
So is Nolan, who likes what he has seen from his group.
“I like the habits of our kids,” Nolan said. “It’s a hardworking group with really good team chemistry.”
What does Loughlin think fans should know about the new Huskies?
“We all love basketball,” he said. “We love to fight. We’re always going to give it our best out there, 100% effort at all times. We’re really young, but we’re just going to keep on getting better.
“I think the sky is the limit for this team.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
