Williams enjoys his Batavia homecoming
Batavia sure knows how to welcome home one of its own.
The Bulldogs retired the No. 32 jersey of their all-time leading scorer Corey Williams before Saturday night's 60-43 victory over Yorkville. Williams was back at a Batavia game for the first time since he saw the Windmill Classic in 1999, the only other Bulldog game he has watched since graduating in 1992.
Batavia retired the first jersey Williams wore as a freshman in 1988. He went on to become a two-time All-Stater at Batavia before going to a Final Four at Arizona and a 12-year professional career in Europe and Asia.
All the Batavia players wore special No. 32 warmups. Several former Batavia players were on hand, including Lamarr Justice and Thad Tousana, as well as other former area stars like Kenny Battle.
The game program featured comments from former Arizona coach Lute Olson, West Aurora's all-time leading scorer Billy Taylor, former principal of Batava Junior High Sam Rotolo and Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke.
"Corey Williams has been and continues to be a great credit to the University of Arizona," wrote Olson.
Schielke spoke to Williams and the crowd during the ceremonies.
"We always call you one of our own, we're proud to call you one of our own," he said, and then Williams took the microphone.
"What an honor it is to be back in the Doghouse. I received so much love and support from these fans. I think it's one of the best places in the world to play basketball."
The Bulldogs (15-7, 8-4) went out and put Yorkville (2-19, 0-11) away early, taking a 26-4 lead after the first quarter.
Batavia substituted liberally all night, and Ricky Clopton (12 points, 12 rebounds), Ben Potter (12 points), David Bryant (11) and Adam LeTourneau (11) all hit double figures in limited playing time. Levi Maxey scored 9 points and blocked 3 shots.
"I was proud of the way our kids bounced back after a tough loss," Batavia coach Jim Roberts said of Friday's 40-38 defeat at Geneva. "I thought our kids came out and set the tone early."
"We didn't hang our heads too much," LeTourneau said. "We tried to move on."
The players enjoyed having Williams deliver the pregame talk.
"He came in and gave our pregame speech and that got everyone pumped," said Bryant, who was 2 years old when Williams graduated. "(Williams said) There's nothing better than playing here and playing with high school teammates (even) compared to Arizona."
Williams talked more about his homecoming at halftime, reminiscing about a variety of topics with reporters, always with a big smile on his face and with friends, family and former coaches all stopping by to say hi.
On having his jersey retired:
"It's a tremendous honor. I can't believe coach put this together. To be honored by the school and community and have the mayor come speak, that means a lot to my family and to me."
On playing basketball at Batavia:
"I don't think enough people understand this doesn't happen at other high schools. The community atmosphere, the turnout for a high school game. I got buddies of mine at Arizona that play in the NBA, they are millionaires, they played at the highest level, and never played in anything close to this."
On advice to today's high school players:
"The high school experience is the best you'll have. There's no money, no agents, no scholarships, it's just you playing with your friends for your school."
On his favorite high school memories:
"The games I remember getting butterflies were the Waubonsie (Valley) games. By sixth or seventh period at school you are ready to play. Cars parked all around the block. I remember those days."
On the Geneva rivalry:
"Somebody posted some Batavia videos on YouTube, there's some Geneva kids on there (trash) talking, I jumped in the conversation. 'You know what? I don't think I ever lost to Geneva, junior high until I left. Geneva has never had anything on Batavia. We dominated you guys for a decade.'"
On getting to state in 1991:
"The '91 run was awesome, we really did feel we were unbeatable. Eric Chock pretty much made every shot he took. Brian Schwab was the team leader, he was tough. We just had a great team. We had all the pieces."
On losing to Marshall in the Elite Eight, a game Batavia lead going into fourth quarter:
"I watch that game every time on tape, and one of these times we are going to win it. We are going to win it this time. I think of that Marshall game, if I could have stepped up more.
"We literally ran out of gas. At the time it hurts, you cry, you are upset, but there's nothing to be ashamed of. For us to take that team to the state finals, it's literally 'Hoosiers.' That's what's so great about high school sports, it could be a Batavia every year."
His final thoughts:
"Tonight was great, I really looked forward to it and I really appreciated it. It feels good to be back. It's kind of surreal to see a lot of the same faces and be in the gym and reminisce."