For Naperville North sophomore Mitch Lewis, the task is simple.
Just let his play do the talking for him.
“I’m just staying humble and, you know, just keep on playing ball,” Lewis said.
With the calendar having turned to February and Lewis’ varsity career only 19 games old entering Naperville North’s game with Naperville Central on Friday, his impact for the Huskies is only getting larger and more significant with every game.
The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Lewis has combined for 34 points in the Huskies last two games and resides second on the team to Baylor Griffin in both scoring and rebounding at 9.9 points and 4.2 rebounds, respectively, while also being second in assists to Jelani McClain at 2.4.
Lewis’ 20-point night in Naperville North’s 53-49 victory over Lake Park last Friday, highlighted by a 13-point fourth quarter, marked a career high.
Putting his teammates on his back as the Lancers, who came into the game unblemished in DuPage Valley Conference play, were coming back thanks to their tremendous defense, Lewis went on a personal 6-0 run to break a 42-42 tie in the fourth—a spurt that gave the Huskies the lead for good.
When asked about the performance and effort he got from his sophomore, Naperville North coach Jeff Powers was succinct in his praise of one of the three sophomores on his team.
“He needs to have that edge,” Powers said of Lewis last Friday. “When he gets that edge, then look out. And the thing is, we knew that (Lake Park) trapped everything in the corners and on the wings, so we stopped throwing it to him and we said best option was to let Mitch take it and he’s so unselfish.
“I mean, he probably missed out on three assists because we missed a layup. But he just kept on trucking and then his floater is good, his step-through is good and he’s so darn long. He loves to compete. He really loves to compete.”
That level to compete perhaps first shone itself at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic in December.
Back-to-back scoring games of 16 and 17 points against Palatine and Lyons Township, respectively, Lewis established new career highs on consecutive days en route to earning all-tournament honors.
Three times this season, Lewis has recorded consecutive double-digit scoring games, including the past two games for Naperville North where he followed up his 20 points in the four-point victory over Lake Park with 14 in a loss to St. Charles East last Saturday.
While Lewis’ offensive output for the Huskies has continued to emerge, evidenced by his nine double-digit scoring games, Powers may be just as proud of the time he’s putting in on the other side of the floor.
As Lewis was the midst of going on that pivotal 6-0 run against Lake Park in the fourth last Friday, his attention on the defensive end helped force a double Lake Park turnovers during the run
“(Lewis) is going to be a very special player and he’s going to go through sophomores up and down, but the thing is (Friday against Lake Park), he kept competing on the defensive end when he made a mistake,” Powers said. “Lot of times he puts his head down and starts sulking about missing a play. (Friday), he didn’t. He anchored that defense on top of that 3-2 and was pretty critical on that. He was awfully good (Friday).”
Joined on the varsity by two other sophomores, Cam Hardy and Winston Elston, has aided the transition for Lewis.
The trio of Lewis, Hardy and Elston has helped complement the Huskies’ upperclassmen like Griffin, McClain and Zach Tuxhorn as they continue to represent the type of team Powers has quickly become known for while at Naperville North.
Focusing on the sum of its parts, Naperville North (11-9, 4-2) sits one game behind Lake Park in the DVC race and the familiarity and comfort Lewis, Hardy and Elston have with each other is making an impact.
The reasoning behind it, according to Powers, is quite simple.
“They’re showing you that they’re not sophomores anymore,” Powers said. “They’re playing well.”
