BAY MINETTE, Alabama—Baldwin County High guard Xavier Dortch signed to play Basketball at Faulkner State Community College Wednesday along with teammate Justin Mayes who signed to play for juco conference and Hwy. 31 rival Jeff Davis of Brewton.

Coach Lorenzo Hunter said there was much more to both young men than basketball skills.

“They may not be the biggest kids on the court but they definitely make up for that with the size of their hearts. They say dynamite comes in small packages and Justin and Xavier are just that way. It’s always important to remember that they worked hard for his award today. They may have come from different directions, but both came full circle to this point here today. Even if a kid doesn’t make it to the next level, it’s just as important to me to educate them the importance of hard work and putting others or a team goal first sometimes. That’s the big lesson.

“I believe basketball and sports in general are a great tool for getting that idea across. It may seem to some like I get a little too passionate about that at practice or a game. But of course, I’m also really happy when a dream does come true like it has for these two today. And I believe passion is a big part of making dreams come true. It’s a big day. Not just for Xavier and Justin, but for all of us, and I mean coaches, teachers, administrators, family and the whole community who are proud of what Justin and Xavier have accomplished. Both schools got two quality players. Two quality young men who are going to continue to represent Baldwin County High School well and make us all proud.”

Faulkner State coach Jack Robertson, a Baldwin County High alumnus and area native echoed that sentiment.

“We’re always happy to recruit kids from Baldwin County High School. Coach Hunter does a great job of preparing them not just for basketball but for the road ahead. The road of life. But we always get quality people because that’s who we want, not just a good player, but a good person and a good student. Like coach Hunter said, you are not going to measure Xavier by his size. His heart is so big and so competitive. A lot of times, the best player on the team is not the biggest, even in the NBA.

“Plus he’s a fine young man. I have known him, his family, watched him grow up. I watched his dad play here (BCHS). I’ve seen (Xavier) make some big plays, big shots throughout his high school years. He handles pressure well. Of course he’s going to run into some problems with his size, but I think he can adjust and will get in the weight room and get stronger. But most of all I think his best strength is what he has inside, the will to compete and work and win. I have tremendous confidence in him and I’m looking forward to seeing him and Justin play each other when we play Jeff Davis next year.”

Dortch said he was grateful for the opportunity and excited about playing the college level game.

“I’m just really excited to get to keep playing basketball at the next level. I’m so glad coach (Jack) Robertson, is giving me this great opportunity at Faulkner. A lot of people doubted me but I’m ready to step up and make these next two the best two years I can. I want to show coach Jack that he got a good player and a good person in me. I’m ready to get started. I’m going to stay on my books and make everybody proud.”

He plans to concentrate his study in sports management. The Sun Chiefs and JDCC WarHawks compete in the Southern Division of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Robertson’s FSCC teams have won 2 state championships and been runner up three times. They have also won 13 Southern Division championships.

Dortch will join Spanish Fort guard Reagan Eubanks in the Sun Chiefs freshman class next season.