Girls basketball: Naperville Central trio shines in crosstown win over Huskies

Anyone who watches Naperville Central knows it has a lot of players responsible for its success. When they all come together, a win usually results.

Three players in particular came together Friday as the Redhawks traveled across town and defeated Naperville North, 50-39, in a DuPage Valley Conference matchup.

All but two Naperville Central points came from Annabelle Kritzer (17), Erin Hackett (16) and Trinity Jones (15).

“I think we're a real dangerous team with Trinity and Erin and Annabelle,” said Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum. “And we have Colette (McInerney) and Sophia (Cochran) play defense. We're pretty solid, I think. So I'm pretty happy with where we're at.”

After holding a 13-7 lead to end the first quarter, the Redhawks (21-4, 6-1) saw the Huskies (17-7, 2-5) tie the game late in the second but went right back in front to take a 25-23 lead into halftime.

Ava Podkasik scored eight of Naperville North’s 10 third-quarter points to keep the game close even as Naperville Central extended its lead to 39-33.

The Redhawks finally put some distance between themselves and their hosts in the fourth, holding them to only six points and letting their top scoring trio take them home.

“I think we did a good job moving the ball around tonight, finding the open person,” Kritzer said. “Credit to my teammates for getting me the ball down low when I was wide open, which led to some of my points. So that was great.”

Kritzer grabbed 12 rebounds to achieve a double-double and also had three assists.

Hackett excelled on both ends, leading the Redhawks in the third quarter with eight points and creating extra opportunities with four steals overall.

Jones, who had just been cleared to play after missing time with a knee injury, scored the game’s first six points on two 3-pointers and also hit a 3 to open the second before getting the rest of her points at the free-throw line.

Naperville Central’s remaining two points came on a second-quarter field goal from Cochran.

“Honestly, I think for three-and-a-half quarters, we went toe to toe with them,” said Naperville North coach Aly Miller. “I think we prepped all week for whoever they were gonna put out there on the floor. And we were gonna come out with the same energy no matter who we were going up against. And I think we did that.”

Podkasik’s third quarter enabled her to lead the Huskies with 16 points.

Sam Kelly scored 10 of her 13 points in the second quarter and also tied for the team lead in rebounds (five) with Sydney Smith, who also had four steals.

Katie Walker provided a spark off the bench with six second-quarter points to support Kelly.