Recruiting Wrap

Two-sport star Hoerdemann back in the gym

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Thursday, October 22, 2009 8:55 AM

Hayden Hoerdemann is best known for his ability to successful transfer a basketball through the hoop. But based on the Bloomington Central Catholic junior's stats on the soccer field (a Bloomington area-leading 26 goals, along with seven assists), he might be just as good kicking a ball into a much bigger net.

So it wouldn't be a surprise if he had a future in soccer, as well as basketball. But despite his skill on the soccer field, colleges haven't approached him of a future career outdoors.

"I kind of think it's because I don't play traveling soccer and that's when coaches go to see players," Hoerdemann said. "I'm not really familiar with soccer and the scouting and everything anyway."

The BCC standout's favorite sport is still basketball. The Saints lost their regional semifinal 3-0 on Saturday. By Sunday, Hoerdemann was back in the gym working on his jump shot and ballhandling. He said he shoots until he makes 1,000 shots every day and lifts weights for two hours a day. BCC begins practice on Nov. 9.

With Tom Norton lost to graudation, BCC will look to Hoerdemann as its go-to player. Hoerdemann, who averaged 16 points per game as a sophomore, will also take over a majority of the point guard duties, formerly handled by Norton.

"My freshman year I was really the role player; I made the shots when I had them," Hoerdemann said. "Last year, I had to become more of a scorer but Tom was one of the leaders and scorers on the team. This year, I move into the captain roles. I'm going to be handling the ball more, bringing it up the court and be the floor leader. I'm really excited for that opportunity and to actually lead the team."

With three other starters returning, BCC could make an impact on the basketball court just like it has on the football field for so many years, Hoerdemann said.

"Since my freshman year, I think each year we've progressed and gotten more attention," Hoerdemann said. "Central Catholic has never won a state championship in basketball, and I really want to win one in my four years at this school. I think this year would be our best chance of doing it. We all know we can do it. Our regionals and sectionals we might be able to meet up with (Illinois commit) Meyers Leonard and Robinson in the sectionals if we both win out."

Though college soccer programs haven't caught word of Hoerdemann, the BCC junior continues to receive calls from Division I college basketball programs.

"I've got about 25 schools that have been showing me interest and 15 that have been calling me," Hoerdemann said. "We start open gyms next week. I couldn't do open gyms before because of soccer stuff, so the coaches will be here. The main ones are probably Harvard, Princeton, Butler, Wichita State, Northwestern, Xavier and most of the Missouri Valley has been contacting me."

Loyola, William & Mary, Iowa State and Western Michigan have also shown Hoerdemann interest Iowa and Illinois send the BCC junior a letter every day, he said. He also talks to Illinois State and Eastern Illinois, his only two scholarship offers, often.

"Illinois State's right here so I always seen and talk to (ISU head coach) Jankovich and (assistant Rob) Judson," Hoerdemann said. "I was going to go to Hoop Fest on Friday but our football team played the No. 1 team in the state (Rochester), so they said that was fine. They look pretty good this year. I like going to watch their games. I'm probably going to go to Eastern sometime to see their campus and see a game."

Hoerdemann said he also plans on visiting Xavier, Butler and Northwestern. He said he'd also like take a short trip to Champaign to take in an Illini game.

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