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Hayden Hoerdemann's loves the game of basketball. If you need proof, just glance at his upcoming schedule
The 6-foot-3 sophomore suits up for Bloomington Central Catholic at Olympia tonight in a game that could put them in a tie for first place in the Corn Belt Conference. He has practice Wednesday and Thursday before another conference matchup against Mahomet-Seymour at home.
Then on Sunday, he'll travel to Evanston for an unofficial visit to Northwestern. He also has trips to Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois planned in the next couple weeks.
"It's going to be busy this coming month but you got to focus on (recruiting) and getting my team to the state tournament," Hoerdemann said.
The Bloomington Central Catholic sharpshooter has his team on a roll lately. The Saints (14-6, 7-3 Corn Belt) have won three in a row and five of their last six games. Hoerdemann scored 22 points on Friday in BCC's 76-47 victory over Eureka, a team that beat the Saints 76-60 earlier in the season. Hoerdemann said Saturday's win was a "statement game."
"We knew we had to play well that game," Hoerdemann said. "We all had to step our games up, and that was the best we've played this year. I think we're playing better now than we did at the beginning of the season."
Hoerdemann is averaging 16.4 points per game this season. He hit a cold streak in the middle of the season but seems to have fixed the glitch recently.
"I've kind of been up-and-down., Hoerdemann said. "We were playing really well the first ten games. I was doing really good. Then I kind of went down a little bit, but now I'm coming back to the top. It's been pretty good. I've enjoyed it. I think I'm turning back to what I used to be."
Hoerdemann is known for his sweet shooting stroke but has been working on becoming a better ball handler. He has split time with senior Tom Norton at point guard this season.
"I really feel I can bring it up and play the two," Hoerdemann said. "With my ball handling, I'm not afraid to take it up the court."
Hoerdemann holds scholarship offers from Illinois State and Eastern Illinois and has interest from several BCS conference schools.
He took an unofficial visit to South Bend on Jan. 24 to watch Notre Dame take on UConn. Hoerdemann said "it was a crazy experience" and he was able to get close to the ESPN Gameday crew covering the game including Bob Knight and Dick Vitale.
"It was one of the greatest atmospheres I've ever been in in my entire life," Hoerdemann said. "Notre Dame, you always know they have a great campus and the traditions there. It was just a great time."
The BCC sophomore had time to talk with Fighting Irish associate head coach Sean Kearney.
"They recruit players that are smart players and they're tough-nosed players," Hoerdemann said of Notre Dame. "They like shooters. Coach (Mike) Brey came to talk at our school a couple years ago. I just fell in love with what he had to say about his principles, how he teaches, how he coaches."
Hoerdemann had a mini-Big Ten tour this fall, taking unofficial visits to Northwestern, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. He is making the rounds in the Midwest conference once again.
Hoerdemann will have a closer look at the Northwestern offense during his visit Sunday. He talked to Wildcats head coach Bill Carmody for more than a half hour in the fall about how the system favors sharpshooters.
"They told me to watch Craig Moore and see what he does because they said that's what I would be like," Hoerdemann said. "I've been watching him and what he does. They said that offense would really fit me, and I agree."
Hoerdemann plans on traveling to Champaign in March. Illini coach Bruce Weber visited the sophomore standout in practice earlier this season. Hoerdemann, a lifelong Illini fan, also keeps in touch with Illinois assistants Jerrance Howard and Jay Price.
"I'm really looking forward to that too and being there again and being with them and talking to them again and being at Illinois."
Hoerdemann said he is excited to prove himself to coaches on the AAU tour this summer with the Peoria Irish. With a good summer, he thinks the scholarship offers will start coming in.
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