Jacob Nolen is the chaser for Naperville North. But his defense has opponents giving chase.

Senior forward Jacob Nolen’s face is the first that opposing players see against Naperville North’s 1-3-1 zone defense.

That’s a face they would rather — but won’t soon — forget.

The 6-foot-4 Nolen plays what Naperville North coach Gene Nolan calls the chaser position. It’s Nolen’s responsibility to disrupt the quick, accurate passes that can break down the zone.

“With Jacob having that length up there, it helps because two direct passes can hurt us,” Nolan said. “Even if he’s not getting hands on balls, he does a great job of forcing not direct passes.

“So it allows the guys behind him to get some positioning and maintain that positioning a little bit better because of his length up top.”

The key to unlocking the Huskies’ defense is getting past Nolen, which is rarely easy, as Waubonsie Valley found out in the teams’ regular-season finale Tuesday night in Naperville.

Nolen made a steal on the opening possession. It was the first of his career-high six steals and set the tone for Naperville North’s 56-31 DuPage Valley Conference victory at home.

“I felt really good up top getting deflections and stuff today,” Nolen said. “I feel like when I keep my arms up and I make them bounce-pass, I can get my arms down quick enough to get deflections. I think that’s my best skill.”

It’s a skill that has helped the Huskies (19-11, 6-3) stay in nearly every game this season. They are allowing 44.8 points per game.

Luke Williams, Bryce Welch and Cole Arl also are adept at forcing turnovers. Arl had four steals against the Warriors (14-14, 5-5), who led 8-7 before Jack Kallstrand’s steal led to a 3-pointer by Welch that put the Huskies ahead to stay.

Nolen had five steals during a 41-7 run that began early in the second quarter and extended into the fourth. Arl capped it with a 3-pointer for a 54-20 lead.

“This is a great group of guys that we have — me and Cole at the wings, Bryce at the tail, Grant (Montanari) in the middle and Jacob at the top,” Williams said. “It’s very athletic.

“We’re not the biggest team, but we can get out there and play defense.”

The Huskies generate a good chunk of their offense from their defense, with Williams, Arl and Welch often scoring in transition.

Williams tallied 14 of his game-high 24 points during the third quarter, when Naperville North outscored Waubonsie Valley 18-2. Arl finished with 14 points and five assists, Welch added 10 points and Nolen contributed six points, including a couple of transition baskets.

“Our defense is what we use to win our games,” Nolen said. “That’s what we focus on the most. We’ve been playing such good defense lately and all year really.”

Now it’s time to put that defense to the postseason test. The Huskies are seeded seventh in the Class 4A Bartlett Sectional and will open play next Wednesday against 10th-seeded York (12-17) in a West Chicago Regional semifinal.

Beating York would set up a probable game against second-seeded Wheaton Warrenville South (25-5) in the regional final on Feb. 24.

It’s a tall task but not out of reach. The Huskies won a regional as a 12th seed last season with many of the same players.

“York is obviously a good team, and so is Wheaton Warrenville South,” Williams said. “But I think if we go out there and play tough, we can definitely get out of regionals.

“We have more experience with people being here longer, like Jacob, Bryce and Cole. So it’s better.”

Nolen, who is Naperville North’s lone senior starter, said the win against Waubonsie Valley was bittersweet because it was his final home game. But he’s pumped for what’s to come.

“I’m definitely excited to play in the playoffs again,” he said. “I remember playing last year, and it was such a great atmosphere.

“We have a lot of talent. We just need to keep our intensity up on defense, and the way we’ve been playing, it can take us far.”

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