For last year’s Noblesville Basketball team, it was a familiar story: another season comes, another season goes, and the Millers fell short yet again. However, for the players on this year’s squad, something feels different. The Millers are ready for another season, hoping for a potential state championship. And this time, their hopes rest on the shoulders of the 6’4 guard with the number 10 on his back. The 17-year-old feels his time has come, and the Justin Curry era is in full swing.
In his third season as a Miller, Curry is viewed by his coaches and teammates as the new face of the Noblesville Basketball Program. Curry excelled in his first two seasons playing varsity as a key player in the Millers’ 2023 sectional win as a freshman, and as a starter on the Millers’ 2024 roster which saw a sectional appearance before falling to the eventual state champion, the Fishers Tigers. His coaches and teammates say his persistence during practice sessions, and his dedication to the game improves the team as the junior prepares to take on the leadership role. Curry’s goals, however, remain the same as he tries to lead the Millers to their first state championship in program history. Curry knows that his role will be transformed as he heads into his junior season, and he has taken to the gym to prepare for the weight that will now fall on his shoulders.
“Every single day I got to practice shooting the ball, and must be on top of my game,” Curry said. “You can’t slip up with a bad game because everybody’s going to be watching you. You have to perform, and just stay on top of everything. Staying dedicated the whole year will lead to good results.”
His efforts and work ethic have not gone unnoticed. His coaches have also seen the positivity and leadership he brings to the locker room, as well as what type of leader he is. Curry’s valuable qualities have not escaped the notice of the Millers’ head Basketball coach, Scott McCellend.
”The guys really love having him around, his attitude in the locker room is great. The coaches love coaching him. He’s gonna keep going, keep working hard and will get better day by day,” McCellend said.
Throughout Curry’s tenure as a player, some of his teammates have been there right alongside him. Curry’s teammate, junior Adam Fine has also played a large role in recent Miller accomplishments and looks to see an increased role during his junior season. Fine, who has been playing with Curry since he was in eighth grade, has had a front row seat for what Curry is like.
”He’s always a guy you can count on to make a big time shot. He’ll pick you up if you make a mistake, he’s just a great teammate and person to be around,“ Fine said.
Curry’s successes on and off the court have drawn the attention of big time universities in the area, including Northwestern, DePaul, Indiana State, Kent State, and Toledo University.
“Getting offers from different Division One schools has been groundbreaking, and It has most definitely been a crazy year for me,” Curry said. “Since January, I got my first offer from Indiana State, and that really just helped me to take off and keep going from there, and to try my hardest to get the most offers I can get. The efforts will lead to my fullest potential, and that’s what I want to show to recruiters.”
Heading into the second half of Curry’s tenure at Noblesville, he has become an invaluable contributor to the Noblesville Program. But one thing he’s focused on going into his junior season is the trust and deep reliance he’s developed with his teammates.
“Talking with the coaches and really feeling what they believe in a player and the experience a player brings,” Curry said, “it feels great knowing a coach can put your trust in yourself and it brings off a special feeling inside.”
