Forbes opts for Messiah
BUTLER TWP — Like any athlete, Justine Forbes enjoys winning.
The 2023 Butler graduate is preparing to do a lot of it.
Forbes, a three-year starter as a guard-forward for the Golden Tornado girls basketball team, recently signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and basketball career at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg. She plans to study health science and go into pre physical therapy.
She considered St. Francis (Pa.) and Gannon before choosing Messiah.
“It’s a good Christian school and their record speaks for itself,” Forbes said. “I know I’m going to a top-level program and I just want to contribute to their winning tradition.”
Forbes was an integral part of Butler’s hoop success, averaging 15.1 points per game this season in helping the Tornado qualify for the WPIAL playoffs. She averaged 4.7 rebounds per game and sank 44 3-pointers as well.
Forbes also tallied 36 steals and 33 assists.
“Just a complete, well-rounded player,” Butler girls basketball coach Mark Maier said. “I love her choice of school. Justine can help them in a variety of ways and she’s the type of player and person that program looks for.”
Messiah competes in the Middle Atlantric Conference. The Falcons are coming off a 26-3 season, including 16-0 in MAC play. They were defeated in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Over the past seven seasons, Messiah has won 165 of 184 games overall, including a 100-6 record in conference play. Mike Miller has been head coach of the program for 37 years and has 687 wins there. Miller has won more than 700 games in his coaching career and ranks fourth among active Division III women’s basketball programs.
Forbes said Messiah has interest in her as a shooting guard.
“They win consistently because of the people they bring into the program,” Maier said. “Only 6% of high school basketball girls go on to play in college at all. For Justine to be going to a program like this is a tribute to what she has to offer.
“I can’t wait to follow her career there. I think she’ll contribute to their success sooner rather than later.”
Four of the 12 players on Messiah’s 2022-23 women’s basketball roster were seniors.
“I love the rich tradition they have there,” Forbes said. “The girls on the team are focused and competitive. They play the style of ball that I like, so I think it will be a relatively smooth transition for me.
“I know I have to improve my all-around game if I’m going to help the team win championships. I want to get stronger on the defensive end of the floor, improve my 3-point shooting, be more efficient on offense.”
Forbes played volleyball her freshman and sophomore years at Butler. She competed in track and field through her junior year, competing in sprint events. She concentrated on basketball her senior year.
“Justine is a good person and a hard worker with the drive to get better,” Maier said. “She’s going to do very well.”
