Naperville Central edges Neuqua Valley
Emma Ondik became the third Naperville Central girl to score 1,500 career points Friday.
Being first in line to cut down the regional championship nets was even better.
“It’s pretty cool,” Ondik said of the milestone point, “but I’m happier that we won.”
The fourth-seeded Redhawks fought off a spirited challenge from No. 5 Neuqua Valley to win the Class 4A East Aurora regional final 46-41.
It is Naperville Central’s first regional title since 2008 — Ondik’s freshman year — and the Redhawks’ 14th win over their last 15 games.
That streak started with a 45-40 win over Neuqua Jan. 11.
The reward for Friday’s win? A date with No. 1 Bolingbrook on Monday at the Romeoville sectional.
“I told (Neuqua coach) Mike (Williams), maybe the loser should have to play Bolingbrook,” joked Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum, now a win shy of 500 career. “We’re going to enjoy this and tomorrow we’ll talk about a new opportunity.”
Malia Smith’s jumper with 4:49 left capped a 9-0 run and had Neuqua (20-8) within 35-34. But the Wildcats missed three shots for the lead.
Jamie Cuny’s 3-pointer pushed the Redhawks (24-8) back ahead 38-34, stemming Neuqua rally hopes.
The relentless Wildcats pounded the glass to the tune of 31 offensive rebounds, and attempted 36 more shots than Naperville Central. But 18 percent shooting was the their undoing.
“The kids played hard, and we had shots,” Williams said. “We exerted so much energy to get back into it. I’m proud of them across the board.”
Ondik’s free throw with 1:31 left was her 1,500th career point. She joins Candace Parker and Erica Carter as the only Redhawks to do so.
She only scored 8 points Friday on 2-for-14 shooting, but her real value was as a defender. Ondik held Neuqua leading scorer Megan Doody without a field goal, 3 points total.
“I think Emma’s our best defender,” Nussbaum said. “I’ve thought that all year.”
A pair of early Cuny 3s helped Naperville Central bolt out to a 14-2 lead. Neuqua roared back with a 14-1 run, taking a 16-15 lead on Najee Smith’s stickback basket as the Wildcats pressure rattled the Redhawks.
Smith’s basket in transition tied it 25-25 two minutes into the second half, but in a game of runs Naperville Central surged ahead with a 10-0 spurt sparked by another Cuny 3-pointer.
Fellow Redhawks sophomore Victoria Trowbridge had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
“With the press Neuqua puts on you, they get a lot of runs,” Nussbaum said. “I thought we held our poise when it counted.”
Alexa Wilde, the lone Neuqua senior starter on a young team with six freshmen, had 18 points and 16 rebounds in her final game. Just as important was the energy of the Baylor-bound soccer star.
Freshmen Malia and Najee Smith scored 9 and 8 points, respectively, Najee adding 10 boards.
“Alexa was never say die, and that carried over to the rest of the girls,” said Williams, one shy of 300 career wins. “We have some new energy in the program, and some vigor. I really wish we were starting next season right now.”