Pressure? What pressure?
Xavier Justice worried he had some big shoes to fill at Batavia as the son of LaMarr Justice, who was the point guard in 1991 for the only team in program history to go to state, then had a successful college basketball career at Notre Dame.
Focusing on his own footsteps, Xavier committed last week to NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Oshkosh. And with the Bulldogs going 11-1 in their 12 games since the start of the new year, the 6-foot senior point guard is experiencing some good times.
“It once was a bit of a struggle,” Xavier said. “Growing up here and feeling like I have to live up to his success where everyone loves him, but he taught me everything and gave me the freedom to make my own career.
“When I got to high school, he made it clear he was super proud of me and everything I’ve done. He helped me put in the work that’s helped me ease that pressure and create the player I am today, though I’m still working on that.”
The work Tuesday night looked very good as Justice scored 13 points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals in Batavia’s 64-52 DuKane Conference win over visiting St. Charles North.
His dad LaMarr, who serves as a volunteer assistant to coach Jim Nazos, didn’t get to see the game. He was out of town on a business trip for his technology sales position.
Senior guard Joe Reid, Justice’s backcourt mate, recorded 24 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals to lead Batavia (16-8, 7-3).
Batavia sealed the decision with its 3-point shooting, making 39% (12 of 31). Reid made six and Justice added three.
“We’ve played in school together since eighth grade and were on a feeder team before that,” Justice said of Reid, who this week received an offer from Concordia Chicago. “We’ve been able to create good chemistry.
“It’s nice having him on my side. He’s going to go to great places as well.”
Senior forward Cooper Mellican paced St. Charles North (9-15, 3-6) with 26 points and five rebounds.
Like his father, Xavier Justice played soccer as well, making the Batavia varsity as a freshman.
“At a very young age I played both, kicking a soccer ball when I was 3 and dribbling a basketball at 4,” Xavier said. “When I got to high school, I was more of a soccer player.
“But that freshman year, I started playing AAU basketball.”
Not surprisingly, he was a center midfielder in soccer, a position that’s most comparable to point guard in basketball.
“It’s just kind of how my brain is wired, I guess,” Xavier said. “You know, see all the field.”
He gave up soccer after his junior season, though.
“I decided I wanted to pursue a basketball career and go 100% all-in,” he said.
His younger sister, Sidnee, is a 5-8 freshman guard on Batavia’s varsity girls basketball team.
“Runs in the family,” Xavier said.
At Oshkosh, he will reunite with sophomore guard Nate Nazos, his coach’s son. Oswego senior forward Brayden Borrowman has also committed to the Titans, who were ranked No. 20 in the nation last week.
“They play a lot of guys and look to push the ball and shoot threes,” Justice said. “That’s something that interests me — that fast play. It’s more like my AAU team. We play super fast.”
While Nazos can see LaMarr’s influence, he confirmed that Xavier has created his own path.
“LaMarr is so supportive, a great father and excellent coach and great mentor to all these seniors on our team,” Nazos said. “He’s had them through feeder games back to fourth and fifth grade.
“You can see it in how Xavier plays. He has a quiet confidence, doesn’t need the spotlight but everything goes smooth because he’s got the ball in his hands.”
