That Brett Berggren is taking on to an expanded role in basketball for Batavia probably won’t surprise those who caught his football exploits in the fall for the Bulldogs. A 6-foot-3 junior speedster, Berggren’s start in basketball was delayed by a shoulder injury he suffered in a record-setting performance at receiver in the Class 7A state championship game. “He started the first game at our Christmas tournament and has done a lot of good things, scoring on some putbacks, drawing fouls, defending really well,” Batavia coach Jim Nazos said of Berggren, who caught eight passes for records of 191 yards and three touchdowns on Nov. 30 in a 55-34 loss to Mount Carmel. “Brett is starting to hit his stride. “He’s probably three weeks into his season, and he’s going to be a big part of why we can really go on a run here in January.” That run, though, was delayed Tuesday night during a 54-44 DuKane Conference loss to visiting Wheaton Warrenville South. Berggren still stepped up, just like he did in football. It just takes time after an injury. “I was running a post route,” Berggren said. “I caught the pass but landed weird and got a Grade 2 (acromioclavicular joint) sprain that kept me out.” In his fourth start of the season in basketball, Berggren played a strong supporting role with nine points and six rebounds as Batavia (7-7, 2-3) kept the game close in the second half Tuesday. Jax Abalos, a 6-8 senior guard/forward and Cornell recruit, had 19 points and seven rebounds for the Bulldogs, who were hampered by an extended lull in the second quarter. Batavia’s Brett Berggren (14) takes shot against Wheaton-Warrenville South during a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News) It wasn’t enough to offset do-it-all 6-2 point guard Luca Carbonaro, who scored a game-high 26 points for the Tigers (10-4, 4-1). Zach Rogers added 13 points and Brady Goken had 11. “Offensively, they do what they do, well,” Nazos said of Wheaton Warrenville South. “They move the ball. Carbonaro gets a shot. In the first half, it was easier said than done guarding him. In the second half, we did a better job. “The only thing I can say is I don’t think we’re as far off as we feel right now. The game was probably an eight-point (margin) most of the second half.” The teams were tied 12-12 after one quarter, but Batavia went six minutes without scoring in the second quarter and trailed by 11 points before a flurry fueled by Berggren’s putback and then Abalos’ 3-pointer cut the deficit to a manageable six points early in the third. “We lost a lot of height from the team last year,” Abalos said. “I think (Berggren) brings that hustle role. He plays hard and he’s pretty physical. He’s a good football player, so he brings that football aspect to the court. You know, physicality and hustle. “He brings in a lot of rebounds, gets a lot of paint touches. It’s been a big help getting the whole team going. We’ve needed him to bring that energy every night.” Batavia’s Brett Berggren (14) moves in for a shot around Wheaton-Warrenville South’s Brady Goken (25) during a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News) Berggren teamed up with senior receiver Isaiah Brown to boost Batavia’s passing game in football. His 47 catches for 851 yards and 10 TDs complemented the 65 receptions for 971 yards and 13 TDs put up by Brown. “It was tough just watching to start,” Berggren said of the segue to basketball season. “Football is my main sport, but I’m so competitive I was eager to get back. “I might use my athleticism in basketball, but I’m actually a bit more physical in it than football because I have to be, going against bigger guys to get rebounds and second-chance opportunities in the paint. It may help build me up a little bit to be ready for football, too.” His work isn’t lost on his coach. “He plays hard — has a motor,” Nazos said. “He’s gonna go somewhere pretty good for football, but he really enjoys basketball. It doesn’t matter to him. He’ll compete at whatever he’s doing.”