First-time starter Abby Homan works hard wherever she goes at Naperville North: ‘You should see her during lunch.’

Naperville North’s Abby Homan has always had a lot of brain power.

Now the senior center is flexing some brawn, too, and the timing couldn’t be better.

After three years playing a series of progressively greater supporting roles, the 6-foot Homan is starting for the first time. She is the team’s tallest player and only experienced post player.

“It’s what the team needs me to do, so I’m there to do it,” she said. “Of course, I worked on my inside game over the summer because I knew that was what I was coming back to do.”

Homan, who has committed to play at Pomona, a Division III college in California highly regarded for its academics, is a vital piece for the guard-heavy Huskies.

“She’s grown a lot,” senior guard Abby Drendel said. “She’s become a lot stronger in the post. She has a good midrange, and she can shoot a three, so it definitely makes the defense come out more on her too.

“She has multiple things she can do. I trust her with the ball, and I know she’ll make the right decision.”

Homan and Drendel have been teammates since they were in third grade. They both made the varsity as freshmen, but while Drendel started right away, Homan saw little action in her first two seasons. She was the first player off the bench as a junior.

“It wasn’t tough because I knew I had such a supportive team, and I play for my team,” Homan said. “I like to think ‘we over me’ a lot, so whatever my team needs me to do, I’m there for them.”

Homan typically does a little of everything. She had eight points on 3-for-4 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and two steals on Tuesday as the Huskies (6-5) beat visiting Schaumburg 44-35.

It’s the type of production Naperville North coach Erin Colletti expects from Homan.

“I’ve been really emphasizing with her demanding the ball, being more physical and embracing the post game because with her travel team she plays outside a lot,” Colletti said.

“I’m a post player to my core, so I really value the post game, and I want to instill that value in her. So I’m constantly screaming, ‘Look inside, work hard.’”

Homan is no stranger to hard work, on or off the court. She said playing behind college-bound players like Greta Kampschroeder (Michigan) and Sarah Crossett (Tufts) was good preparation.

“I had some great older role models,” Homan said. “They helped me so much.”

Drendel also is a constant workout companion.

“We’ve worked on our game together,” Drendel said. “That quarantine year, we would do training together. Every day, we’d literally be in a gym for six hours straight.

“She’s an amazing teammate. I’m glad she’s on the court with me in the beginning of the game.”

Homan, an honor student, is taking four AP classes and is secretary of Naperville North’s chapter of the National Honor Society.

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“You should see her during lunch,” Drendel said. “We have lunch together, and her and Peyton (Fenner) are always doing homework, and I’m watching film. I’m more of a basketball-minded brain.”

So Homan helps Drendel with academics, and Drendel relays what she has learned in film study to Homan.

Colletti calls Homan a great communicator and selfless player.

“She’s the most coachable player I have,” Colletti said. “When I give her constructive criticism, she doesn’t give me excuses. I love that about her because I can see the willingness and want to improve and be a dominant player.”

Homan waited a long time to play a starring role, and she’s relishing it.

“I’m definitely comfortable,” she said. “I’ve worked out a lot, and I think the improvement has shown, and I feel more confident.”

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