Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s girls’ basketball team lost much from last season due to graduation, meaning someone had to step up.

That someone has clearly been junior center Caroline Hogg.

She continued to assert herself at both ends of the court in recent wins over conference opponents to land the title of Duke Automotive-Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week.

On Jan. 16, she fueled a 54-20 rout of host Hampton Roads Academy by contributing a game-high 18 points to go with 12 rebounds and four blocks. In a 39-31 win against host Cape Henry Collegiate School on Jan. 13, she produced 12 points, nine boards and nine blocks.

“I thought I played pretty good, but I know I can play a lot better if I concentrate on my shots,” she said.

It is this drive to improve that has helped get to where she is today on the court.

“Each year she’s gotten better,” said Lady Saints coach Kim Aston, tracking steady improvement in Hogg since she was in middle school.

Aston said that this season, Hogg and junior point guard Harper Birdsong have been the keys on offense for NSA.

“Caroline’s presence on the boards this year has gotten stronger than in previous years and her shot-blocking has just picked up where she left off last year,” she said.

Hogg’s 6-foot-4-inch presence on the court makes a big difference “because most of the teams can’t match up with her inside,” Aston said.

Ashley Hogg, Caroline’s mother, recalled how her daughter got her start in basketball.

“I think I just encouraged her to try it because of her height,” she said. “She’s always been tall for her age. She was 6 feet tall at 12 years old.”

Her height isn’t surprising given the bloodline passed down by her parents, Ashley and Paul Hogg.

“She’s about (5 foot 10 inches) maybe, but my dad’s (6 foot 5 inches),” Caroline said.

Ashley Hogg played basketball when she was younger, and Caroline keeps in her room a photo of her mom playing that helped plant the seed of desire to follow in Mom’s footsteps.

Caroline shot the basketball at her house when she was young and first played organized ball with the Upward Sports program at First Baptist Church in Suffolk. She estimates she was in the fourth grade then.

“I started playing at NSA when I was in seventh grade,” she said, and has also honed her skills for the past three years playing Amateur Athletic Union ball.

Aston said she thought before the 2014-15 season that if Hogg could average 10 to 12 points a game, it would be great.

“She’s averaging about 17 a game,” Aston said.

The coach noted it has been hard work that has helped Hogg excel as she has successfully learned how put herself in a position to score.

And her success has been NSA’s success; the Lady Saints were 12-2 as of Saturday morning.

“Winning for the team, that motivates me to give my all,” Hogg said.