Neuqua Valley basketball star Kylee Norkus knows perfection is impossible.
That isn’t stopping her from trying to reach it.
“I come from a family that wants to be perfect,” Norkus said. “My whole family, we’re a house of athletes. You kind of just naturally have that perfectionist instinct in you, and that’s really motivated me on and off the court, whether that’s academically or athletically.
“When you use that for your advantage, you get to have your goals, and you want to hit those goals.”
Norkus, a 5-foot-11 guard who can play anywhere on the court, has already realized several of her goals at the high school level. As a junior, she helped the Wildcats (21-11) win conference and regional titles last season.
Norkus will also realize her dream of playing Division I basketball. She has committed to play at Evansville, whose coach, Robyn Scherr-Wells, is in the process of turning the Missouri Valley Conference program around.
The Purple Aces have increased their win total in each of the past three years and were 11-19 last season.
“The recruiting process was a great experience,” Norkus said. “I could have seen myself at any of my other schools, and I’m very grateful for every other offer I had.
“But I felt like when I got to Evansville, when you know, you know.”
Scherr-Wells was a major draw for Norkus, who also had offers from Eastern Illinois and Valparaiso.
“Coach Scherr and I just built such a great relationship over the years,” Norkus said. “She brings in perfectionists just like herself, and that’s who I want to surround myself with.
“She pays close attention to every detail. She was the one who acknowledged the uncoachable aspects of my game.”
Norkus, who was an all-area selection and was picked for the coaches association’s all-state third team, averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.2 assists for the Wildcats, who lost to eventual Class 4A state runner-up Benet in a sectional semifinal. But her intangibles are hard to measure.
“Her athleticism is off the charts,” Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams said. “I’ve said it before: She reminds me of a Dennis Rodman because she’s always getting a deflection or rebound.
“She’s always around the basketball, and that’s the most integral part of her game. She’s got a true sense of where the ball is going to be and a feel for the game.”
Norkus said the Purple Aces intend to use her as a shooting guard, although her responsibilities have yet to be defined.
“They said they want me pressuring up to 94 feet but also rebounding,” she said. “They know I’m very athletic, and I need to use that to my advantage.”
Athleticism runs in the Norkus family. Her father, Ken, competed in track and field at Southern Illinois, and her mother, Kara, played basketball at Lakeland. Norkus’ older brother Kaydon pitched for Neuqua Valley’s baseball team, and a great-uncle, Marty Pattin, pitched for 13 seasons in the major leagues.
“Her athleticism allows her to jump and be an impact player,” Williams said. “Last year it was really evident that she was getting better.
“This year, she’ll be a phenomenal leader, especially because once you’ve got (the college choice) under your belt and you know where you’re going, you don’t have to worry about anything.”
The only thing Williams might worry about with Norkus is overexuberance. She is known for her endless enthusiasm and drive.
“She’s all in,” Williams said. “I think the biggest thing with her is her ability to say, ‘Hey, I’ve got to balance it and not go overboard.’
“Sometimes she’s so into what she does that sometimes you can overtrain, but that’s a good thing. You’d rather have somebody you’ve got to reel back a little bit than somebody that you’ve got to give a little kick in the butt to.”
Norkus is always looking to kick-start the Wildcats, who could be primed for a big season. They return four starters, including seniors Caitlin Washington and Zoe Navarro and sophomore Nalia Clifford.
“It’s my last year, so I’m really excited, and I’m really pumped,” Norkus said. “I want to make it to state. That’s a goal of mine. I’ve already told coach Williams that.”
The Wildcats have been to the state finals only twice, in 2001 and 2002. A third appearance would be a perfect ending for Norkus.
“Last year we focused on the little details,” she said. “If we have that same mentality that we had last year, we have a great shot.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
