Recruiting Update: Josh Wart (2021 Amity HS)
After finishing last season as the state runner-up, Amity is hoping to make another big run in a couple of weekends. Josh Wart is definitely excited about what’s ahead. The strong 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward has been dominating the court his…
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Continue ReadingAfter finishing last season as the state runner-up, Amity is hoping to make another big run in a couple of weekends. Josh Wart is definitely excited about what’s ahead. The strong 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward has been dominating the court his junior season and while he still remains a bit under the radar when it comes to college recruiting attention, there’s no question an impressive appearance at the 3A state tournament will put him and his Warriors teammates squarely on the map.
Amity enters the playoffs as the #4 seed and is coming off a solid 70-61 win over Yamhill-Carlton in the PacWest Conference third place game. “We’re a younger team and we only have two seniors so we have some work to do,” Wart said. “We definitely need to close out the game better, but this is the first time (in awhile) that we played the whole game through, we didn’t just play just one or two quarters. So it felt good.”
In the win, Wart was absolutely dominant. He used his strong frame to post up and score down low, using good footwork to create opportunities and his athleticism to finish at the rim. Wart also showed off some versatility by stepping out and knocking down a couple of jumpers, including one from beyond the arc and while grabbing 17 boards, it was the type of performance he’s put up all season long.
“Definitely when I meet a tough opponents I want to step up and prove myself,” Wart said. “My three ball has improved a lot as I’ve gotten more confident with it. But it’s just been nice to play with my guys that I’ve always been playing with.”
Playing at the 3A level can be a challenge when it comes to getting recruiting attention from college coaches but word is starting to get out. Wart noted that he’s been hearing from Corban and Linfield and other coaches should start coming on board after the 3A playoffs and AAU ball – of which he plans to play this spring and summer although he’s hasn’t completely settled on a team.
“I love talking to (the schools) but I don’t want to get stressed,” Wart said. “I have no idea as I’m still kind to all of this.”
The future will come but for now the focus obviously remains on the rest of the season. There’s no doubt Wart and the Warriors would love to get to the state finals again but it will be one game at a time with the right mentality. “After last year, I just want to go in there and have fun,” Wart said. “We’re not necessarily underdogs like we were last year but I want to keep that mentality that we have nothing to lose. We just play a lot better as a team if we go out there and have fun and play our hardest.
Wart currently ranks as the #20 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.