On Friday, Jan. 24, the Ravenscroft Athletics Department and the Office of Alumni Engagement joined forces to welcome back to campus members of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association’s state-championship varsity girls basketball teams from 1996 and 1999. 

The team alumni and coaching staff — with their guests, nearly 50 people total — enjoyed a social in the Alumni Hall of Fame suite in the Olander Center for Student Life at the A.E. Finley Activity Center before heading down to Warner Arena to watch the girls and boys varsity basketball games. They were joined by Athletic Director Ned Gonet, who coached both teams to victory and stood with them on Billerman Court as they were once again recognized and celebrated for their outstanding seasons and state championships. 

Chandra Watkins ’96 — who scored more than 2,000 points at Ravenscroft and was co-captain of the 1996 championship team alongside Liz Burnette Gibbons ’96 and Meg Hunter ’96 — said the event was “a time to be had!”

“The warmth and welcoming of my coaches, teammates, family and friends made me a bit emotional,” Watkins, who was the team MVP that year, said. “I only have fond memories when I think of my time at Ravenscroft. Long-lasting friendships that were established 30 years ago is something that I cherish. We are all aging gracefully, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share that moment with. Go Ravens!”

Also in attendance was Attiya “Titi” Taylor ’99, who played on both championship teams and was the 1999 MVP and co-captain alongside Ebony Tanner Moore ’99 and Mary Craven Hines Dawkins ’99. She echoed her former captain’s sentiment.

“It was so good coming back to be amongst the ladies I shared so much time with. It brought back so many great memories!” Taylor said. “Then embracing that I was the only one to be a part of both championship teams was such a special feeling — being able to relive those moments with each group. Seeing Coach Gonet is always a pleasure because he was like a second dad to us, making it fun but also setting the requirements high and bringing out the best in us.” 

The introduction Gonet wrote for the alumni, read when they took to the court following the conclusion of the girls game, sums up the hard work and dedication that went into their successful seasons while also highlighting statistics from each of the big games:

Back in 1995-96 and 1998-99, Ravenscroft fielded the most potent and powerful girls basketball teams. The work started for both of these programs in the summer months before their respective seasons by attending multiple summer team camps and playing 20 summer-league games at Carolina Pines. The commitment helped form the foundation and bonding of two very specific teams who powered through as conference champions and into postseason play, where the ’95-’96 team captured the state title over a very good Durham Academy team.

They were led by Chandra Watkins with 22 points, Elizabeth Rogers [Biggerstaff] ’98 with 14 points, Liz Burnette [Gibbons] with 10 points and Meg Hunter and TiTi Taylor both with eight points, along with support from Erin Young [Hawkins] ’97, Jewell Green ’96, Rebecca Fiore [Jellie] ’97, Tracy Barnette ’98, Katie Hunter [Cecil] ’98, Ellen Hays [Robertson] ’96 and Casey Hunter [Earnhardt] ’98, to capture the championship at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium and ended the season with a 24-1 record.  

The ’98-’99 team matched that feat by winning the state title over a powerful Providence Day Team 51-50 in overtime, led by a tenacious effort by TiTi Taylor, Jennifer Howard [Wohlers] ’01, Chanel Hunt [Prioleau] ’01, Shae Beachum ’00, Katherine Chesson ’01 and Ebony Tanner [Moore] with support from Kate Hamrick [White] ’00, Mary Craven Hines [Dawkins], Mandy Pearce [Roper] ’02 and Mary Leah Singletary [Miller] ’00 to close out the win. 

These achievements by these two teams were truly outstanding and exciting accomplishments and Ravenscroft and I, along with assistant coaches [Mollie] Monaco, [Tom] Hines, and [Al] Wadford, are extremely proud and appreciative of their commitment and efforts as they continue to flourish in their personal and professional lives. 

Alumni Engagement Officer Emma Dement ’16 said the event was a coalescence of her team’s goals for engaging alumni.

“It was truly heartwarming to see our alumni athletes come together to reminisce and celebrate the incredible legacy they’ve built, while also setting an example of grit and dedication to our current student-athletes,” she said. “Sports have this unique power to unite communities, and I truly hope this event sparks stronger ties and even more meaningful reunions for alumni in the future. These alumni traditions not only honor our past but also create lasting bonds for generations to come.”