St. Charles North hosts the top two teams in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division this weekend, prompting coach Colleen Backer to wish the North Stars their own luck against Streamwood and St. Charles East.

Still, Backer knows it will take more than good fortune to top the Sabres tonight and the Saints on Saturday, and she's plenty confident in her team's skill, too.

North is 5-5 since an 0-8 start, navigating a prolonged stretch without junior post Liz McNally (back) as underclassmen have greeted the challenge of more minutes. Sophomore guard Sam Novak has led the charge, emerging alongside senior Alex Silverman as a leader in the backcourt.