‘So many great memories’: Naperville Central celebrates state title teams’ reunion

Erica Carter remembered the first time she played a basketball game on her home court at Naperville Central.

“I was fortunate enough to make varsity as a freshman,” she said, “and I was a starter as a freshman too.”

“I was very, very, very nervous, going from a junior high gym to the big high school gym. Once you get on the floor, though, and shoot your first shot, make your first dribble, the nerves kind of go away.”

That was more than 20 years ago, and this weekend, Carter returned to the school to be honored for her illustrious prep career.

Friday night she was inducted in to the Naperville Central Hall of Fame, and Saturday the shooting guard, along with many of her teammates, were lauded at halftime of the Redhawks game against Campbell Hall School of Studio City, California. Carter, along with other players such as WNBA superstar Candace Parker, were recognized for their efforts in leading the Redhawks to two consecutive state championships in 2003 and 2004.

Campbell Hall won 65-55. Parker’s daughter Laila Williams did not play for Campbell Hall due to injury.

The halftime ceremony also celebrated many other former standouts from other seasons as well, covering the years 1978 through 2020.

“I feel like it was my teammates who guided me along the way,” Carter added.

“This just brings back so many emotions, so many great memories that I think about to this day.”

Current Redhawks player Adriana Villanova, a senior captain, said that the halftime observance was a “big deal.”

“They really made the program what it is today,” Villanova said of the alumnae who graced the court. It was nice to see who came before us, and now we try to carry on their legacy.

“At halftime on the bench, we seniors were talking about how cool this was, and how maybe we’ll be back here in 20 years being honored.”

As far as the game itself, the big crowd on hand was treated to a great first half by Naperville Central, then an epic comeback by Campbell Hall.

Redhawks sophomore Erin Hackett scored 18 points in the first two quarters to boost the home team to a 36-27 halftime lead.

Then Campbell Hall scored 11 straight points to open the third quarter and take control.

The Vikings opened a 14-point advantage, but the Redhawks fought back, and when senior Tori Manker nailed her third 3-pointer, the deficit was back to single digits midway through the fourth.

Despite the efforts from Hackett (21 points, 9 rebounds) and junior center Eleni Nicoloudes (10 points, 8 boards, 2 blocks), Naperville Central couldn’t get any closer down the stretch.

“Before the game in the captain’s meeting (with the referees),” Villanova said, “(the Campbell Hall players) were asking a lot of questions about rules, considering that they came all the way across the country to play.

“There were a lot of distractions today, this was one of our most packed crowds, but really it wasn’t difficult for us to focus. At the end of the day, it’s just a basketball game.”

Molly Glanz was another alumna honored Saturday. She was a member of the 2003 state title team that was undefeated at 35-0.

“I feel very nostalgic today,” she said. “This is kind of only the second time I’ve been back to Naperville Central since we graduated, and it’s so nice to see everyone.

“Those were some of the best times of my life, truly. It was such a wonderful group of young women, we blended so well together, and I think that might have been why we were so successful.

“For me, the wins were great, but it was the relationships that made it all so special. That’s what stands out to me 20 years down the road.”