Players and coaches who enjoyed a special time in Junction City Lady Jay basketball returned

to their school Friday evening.

The occasion was a 20-year reunion for the 1994-95 team that went 23-2, but the event also attracted other former players and people who followed the basketball program.

Head Coach Melissa Sharp noted some of those in attendance ranged from Leza Narducci and Adrian Wiley to Gretchen Schmoeckel , Dee Ivory, Kristin and Amber Crites. Stephanie Kimbrel and Sara Munson were among the numerous former players who first met in the school cafeteria and then watched the current Lady Jay basketball team defeat Topeka West 58-53.

One player who traveled from Houston, Texas for the reunion, was the starting point guard on the  1994-95 team Leza Narducci. Sharp  said it was emotional. “I haven’t seen Liza is quite a long time.” Sharp added, “She’s more than eager to come back and show her boys where she went to school and the success she had on the court, and hopes that it transfers to her own family.”

Her feeling on walking in the door to the reunion? “Happiness, glad to be back home.” Narducci was born and raised in Junction City.

She remembered her role as a coach on the floor.”Just keeping the team focused, motivated, and thinking and knowing that we could win every time we got out there.”