Recruiting Report: Nick Hoyt (2019)
Harrisburg turned around their fortunes midway through the 16-17 season and sophomore Nick Hoyt was a key part of that.
Now a 5-foof-11 junior Hoyt looked back on a summer of play with BBA Force that had some memorable moments.
“Some of the top moments from AAU ball were competing against some of the top teams and players in the region and nation in Minneapolis and Kansas City at Battle at the Lakes and the Hardwood Classic,” Hoyt said.
“Also, beating the 17u team in our program was pretty special. Throughout the summer our team learned how to rebound and compete against more size as we were a pretty small team.
“Also we had a bunch of scorers on the team so it was easy for us to put up 70 or 80 on a team, but we learned how to lock down defensively and win games on that side of the ball. Individually I focused on getting to the rim and hitting pull up jumpers.”
Harrisburg played in the state tournament but lost their games. This has been used as motivation for Nick’s off-season.
“I’ve been getting in the weight room at least four times a week trying to put on some size,” Hoyt said. “My main focus on the court is finding ways to score inside the three-point line off the dribble and improving finishing at the rim against size.”
Several of the top Harrisburg players are returning and all of them have one goal in mind.
“Our goal as a team is to be playing on the last day of the basketball season and win a state championship,” Nick said. “We don’t feel good about making it to state and losing all three games last year, so we have something to prove this season.
“We have three starters coming back in Chase Altenburg, Brady Van Holland, and Ace Zorr along with a bunch of guys with varsity experience.”
A pair of schools have began calling Nick about a future in college hoops.
“I’ve been in contact with Coach Vorwald at Northwestern and have been to an open gym. Shipley at Briar Cliff sent me a letter the other day but nothing else.”
Who has helped influence the game of Nick Hoyt? Some Lakers and a family member.
“Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Lonzo Ball are my favorite hoopers,” Nick said
“I would say Kobe Bryant and my cousin Andrew Ulvestad who played at James Valley Christian when they won State B’s have influenced my game the most.