After St. Charles East legend Justin Hardy died last year, retiring his No. 32 was an option.
Instead, a heartfelt Hardy told Saints coach Patrick Woods he wanted his legacy to live on by awarding the number each season to a player who embodied what he did.
Senior forward Eddie Herrera
More Top Picks Best Automatic Cat Feeders
is the first player to have that honor bestowed upon him.“I grew up watching him,” Herrera said of Hardy. “I loved watching him. He lived in my neighborhood — super big fan of him.
“When Woods asked me if I was comfortable wearing the number, I was all in for it. I’m really honored to have it, and I think I can represent it well.”
Herrera is currently wearing No. 33 until a new order of No. 32s arrive after Woods gave the original jerseys to Hardy’s family.
Regardless of what number he was wearing Friday night at St. Charles North, Ferrera showed the spirit of Hardy with his effort.
Ferrera provided the spark as the Saints, short-handed due to an illness working through their roster, held on for a 42-39 DuKane Conference victory.
Besides grabbing 10 rebounds, Herrera hit a big three-pointer early in the fourth quarter that ended up being one of the game’s biggest baskets for St. Charles East (5-5, 1-3).
“(Woods) tells us every time we step on the court to play hard and good things will happen,” Herrera said. “That’s my mentality going into every game.”
The Saints led 32-30 entering the fourth quarter. After a pair of free throws by Parker Radler, Herrera connected on a 3-pointer to push the lead to 37-30.
Even though it was early in the quarter, it proved to be a pivotal basket as the North Stars (2-8, 0-4) never got closer than three points the rest of the way.
“Brad (Monkemeyer) got the ball inside, defense collapsed,” Herrera said. “He made a good pass and I hit that.”
It’s the type of play Hardy would have loved.
Simeon has rotated No. 25 for the better part of four decades after Ben Wilson’s untimely death. Stars like Derrick Rose have worn that uniform for the Wolverines since then.
The rotation of Hardy’s No. 32 at St. Charles East looks to be on track for similar treatment.
These were the words Hardy used to define his legacy — selfless, disciplined, competitive, winner, passionate, academic excellence, positive attitude, genuine, communicator and accountability.
All of that went into the decision to have Herrera wear the number this season.
“Eddie just brings a toughness about him,” Woods said. “He’s a good passer. He can rebound. He can hit the three. He’s gone up against some big guys. He’s outmatched every game and he brings the juice, so they say.
“That’s part of the reason he’s wearing No. 32. That’s what he brings to the team and that’s what we need. He’s a reflection of our team, too, because our team is a bunch of battlers.”
The North Stars hung around but shot 3-for-11 from the floor in the fourth quarter. Parker Reinke led with 11 points. Daniel Connolly and Jake Furtney added 10 apiece.
“Too many mistakes, too many unforced errors,” St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. “We’re definitely improving. We just don’t want to repeat mistakes.
More Top Picks Best Gas Ranges
“We’re trying to focus on what we’re not doing well and fix those things.”
Jack Borri scored a team-high 16 points for the Saints, who got back to .500 with the win as they head Friday to the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.
“Knowing that we could have played better, it’s super encouraging for the future when we are playing our best,” Herrera said. “Getting that win is motivating us.
“We have some momentum. Let’s see if we can build on it.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.