‘That other freshman’? As Erin Hackett gets used to the label, Naperville Central gets used to winning with her

Since the season began, Erin Hackett has been known as Naperville Central’s “other” freshman.

That’s understandable, considering freshman Trinity Jones is being touted as the next Candace Parker and already is a major Division I prospect.

“Every now and then, I’ll say, ‘If it doesn’t work here, pass it to that other freshman,’” Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said. “She’s gotten used to being called that.

“But she’s a ballplayer. So I’m real happy with how she’s been doing.”

It’s not hard to see why. Hackett, a 5-foot-7 guard, has surprised herself by earning a spot in the starting lineup.

“I would never expect to be starting on varsity as a freshman,” she said. “I always thought I would be the seventh or eighth man.”

Hackett was exactly that for the first month of the season. But when senior guard Megan Norkett missed a couple of games before Christmas, Nussbaum gave Hackett a chance to start.

Then senior guard Ella Burke went out with a back injury, and when Norkett returned, Hackett retained her expanded role.

Hackett has started seven of the past 10 games for the Redhawks, including their 70-41 DuPage Valley Conference victory against visiting Metea Valley on Thursday night.

She finished with 14 points and three rebounds against the Mustangs (4-16, 0-5) as the Redhawks (12-9, 2-3) extended their winning streak to six games. That stretch included Nussbaum’s 700th career win.

“I thought she played real well tonight,” said Nussbaum, who has 702 victories. “She’s got real good basketball intelligence. She does the things that she needs to do without being told.”

While the 6-1 Jones, as expected, made a big impact right away and is averaging a double-double, Hackett started out rather tentative.

Sophomore guard Callie Tumilty could relate. She played varsity as a freshman and also took a while to find her footing before finishing last season as a starter.

So Tumilty gave Hackett some advice.

“It takes a little bit in the beginning because you’re not really used to the girls and the competition level,” Tumilty said. “At the beginning of the season, Erin didn’t really have the confidence. She wouldn’t shoot up to her abilities.

“She finally got it. Now she’s knocking down her threes and is one of our top scorers.”

Indeed, Hackett hit four 3-pointers on Thursday. The first gave the Redhawks the lead for good at 9-6. Two minutes later, she buried another, and she finished 5 for 6 from the field.

Jones and Tumilty also were on their game. Jones led all players with 21 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots, and Tumilty had 20 points and four steals.

Norkett added seven points — making her only two shots, both from beyond the arc — as the Redhawks matched their season-high point total.

Junior guard Lucy Burk paced Metea Valley with 14 points.

“I definitely think my shooting has carried me through a lot,” Hackett said. “Also, I feel like, especially with Callie, I can find her on a fast break and get a really good pass to her. I feel like I’m really connecting with the girls.”

Nussbaum is pleased with his team’s chemistry as the three underclassmen continue to increase their impact.

“It’s been an experience, for sure,” Hackett said. “I just had to get comfortable with the team first, and now I feel like I really know how we all play together.

“I really like the connection with the girls. They were very welcoming, and now it’s very easy for me to read how they play.”

Hackett’s teammates return the compliment.

“It took her a minute to warm up and earn her playing time, but once she earned it, she has been balling out all the time,” Tumilty said. “She’s really fun to play with, and I love her.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.