Sold on Holmes: With Michigan State’s Tom Izzo on hand, Nashawn Holmes gets going for St. Rita. ‘We all have one goal.’

Senior guard Nashawn Holmes is finding his footing in a new situation at St. Rita.

Holmes transferred over the summer from Homewood-Flossmoor. Surrounded by junior stars on the Mustangs, he hopes to provide steady leadership.

But his first challenge has been discovering his place on his new team.

“It’s new to me,” Holmes said. “I’m not used to playing with this much talent. The first four games, it was tough, but I’m becoming more comfortable and we’re trusting each other.

“I feel like I’m still finding my different roles. It’s definitely way different from H-F, but I feel like I fit in good. I can really produce and help the team win.”

Holmes showed off his variety of strengths Tuesday night, finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists as visiting St. Rita rolled to a 70-41 win over St. Laurence in a Catholic League crossover.

The star trio for the Mustangs (5-3, 3-0 Catholic Blue) also put on a show in front of a crowd that included Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

Illinois recruit Morez Johnson scored 24 points, Nojus Indrusaitis produced 16 points and James Brown came up with another double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Jacob Rice scored 21 points and EJ Mosley added 11 for St. Laurence (6-4, 1-2 Catholic White).

Holmes had six points in the second quarter and seven in the third. While he’s happy to pass to his talented teammates and not always looking for his shot, he knows he can score when opponents slack off.

“I’m just trying to bring some of everything,” Holmes said. “Sharing the ball, crashing the boards, scoring when they need me to. One thing I try to do the best is play strong defensively.”

St. Rita coach Roshawn Russell sees Holmes as a vital piece of a team with big expectations.

“Nashawn is huge for us,” Russell said. “He’s a very talented senior. In my opinion, he’s very overlooked. Colleges should be all over him. He’s very important for us and the direction we’re trying to go in.”

Holmes was one of H-F’s top players in just about every game last season. He knows he won’t always get as much attention at St. Rita but that doesn’t bother him.

“I’m cool with that as long as we’re winning,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to me.”

St. Rita held the Vikings to just two free throws in the first quarter, jumping to a 12-2 lead. Holmes played suffocating defense on St. Laurence’s talented guards.

“Nashawn brings everything, especially help on the defensive side,” Johnson said. “He gets stops, deflections. He’s our best defender right now, in my mind. He can score on offense whenever he wants to, too.”

St. Rita took a 34-13 halftime lead and then piled up 30 points in the third quarter to turn it into a runaway.

The Mustangs showcased their skills in front of Izzo. Brown has a scholarship offer from Michigan State.

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“Coach Izzo is a really historical coach and he’s a great coach,” Brown said. “I’m glad he took the time out of his busy day and season to come see me and come watch us play.”

After a 2-3 start, things are beginning to click for St. Rita.

“Early on, we were overthinking,” Russell said. “Now we’re starting to have a little fun. We’re sharing the ball well. It’s starting to be fun.”

Holmes is certainly enjoying himself.

“Everything from the coaches to the players, it’s all great,” Holmes said. “They push you. They get on you. But it’s love. They’re just trying to help you.

“We’re all trying to win. We all have one goal.”

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.