Batavia’s Evan Blankenship was just like any other young athlete growing up.

Playing around in the driveway, he practiced game-winning shots, the typical fantasies of that age.

“I used to go out in my driveway on a small hoop and practice that dunk,” Blankenship said. “I actually pictured myself against Geneva in a moment like that when I was younger.”

Friday, that vision he had as a youngster came to fruition. As the Bulldogs were putting the finishing touches on a 62-43 DuKane Conference win over Geneva, Blankenship had his chance.

Dane Farrar got a rebound and threw a long outlet pass to Blankenship. The Illinois Wesleyan recruit threw down a massive dunk to send the home crowd into a frenzy and cap the win.

“That might be a top three moment in my life,” Blankenship said.

Batavia’s Evan Blankenship (3) grabs a rebound against Geneva’s Nathan Palmer (3) and Dane Turner (0) in the third quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

The dunk put the finishing touches on a 23-point, 10-rebound performance for the senior forward.

Xavier Justice scored 14 points for Batavia (17-8, 8-3) and Joe Reid added 10. Nathan Palmer paced Geneva (20-5, 7-3) with 16 points. David Udoiwod tallied 13 and Gabe Jensen had 11.

While Blankenship saw plenty of time off the bench early in the season, he didn’t enter the starting lineup until over the holidays. And that change coincided with Batavia’s hot streak.

The Bulldogs are now 12-1 in their last 13 games.

Batavia’s Evan Blankenship (3) reacts to a 3-point basket by a teammate against Geneva in the fourth quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

“It means a lot,” Blankenship said. “I feel like I worked hard enough to get here. Credit to my teammates. They make it happen.

“I was just working hard on defense because that’s what they wanted me to do and hit my shots like I always do. I just stay locked in no matter what.”

Batavia coach Jim Nazos has seen that kind of growth in a player during a summer leading into a season. It’s far rarer to see that change happen during a season like it has with Blankenship.

“It’s very enjoyable to coach when you see it happen right in front of your eyes, how a player evolves into who they want to be,” Nazos said. “Great kid recognizing some things that he doesn’t do as well and working on them. He’s totally evolved into a complete player.”

Batavia’s Evan Blankenship (3) puts away a dramatic dunk against Geneva during the fourth quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Justice quickly saw the difference in Blankenship when he got the starting nod.

“He’s always been a talented 3-point shooter,” Justice said. “He’s grown especially this season getting downhill, making plays for others. Having that selfless mindset, being able to create for others, has been crucial for us on this run.

“He had a lot to prove, not starting right away. He worked on the things he needed to work on.”

Blankenship helped get the crowd going early and often with his outside shooting. His 3-pointer from the corner with 45 seconds left in the first quarter opened a 16-6 Batavia lead.

Geneva was in chase mode the rest of the night. The lead swelled to as big as 24-9 on a 3-pointer by Justice with 5:51 left in the second.

“It was really fun,” Blankenship said. “The environment was great. I love our fans. They support me and give me the energy to do what I do.”

Batavia’s Evan Blankenship (3) snags a rebound from Geneva’s Dane Turner (0) in the third quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Geneva didn’t go away, however, using an 11-0 run in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 39-38. Blankenship made a rebound putback and a free throw with four seconds left to end that run.

“Geneva makes the run and he gets the and-one,” Justice said. “That changes the momentum.”

Punctuated by Blankenship’s dunk, Batavia closed the game on a 15-0 run to finish off the win.

“It means a lot, that’s really all,” Blankenship said. “It just means a lot to get out there and get a win on our home court, beat them. We stayed locked in and didn’t look back.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/evan-blankenship-batavia-geneva-basketball/