Hoog Nets Career-High 38 In Win

By ERIC X. VICCARO

EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM

The. Ste. Genevieve High School boys’ basketball team adjusted the way it defended Valle Catholic guard Carter Hoog during last Friday’s “Old Settlement Showdown.”

The Dragons changed up their defense after Hoog connected on three 3-pointers as part of a 20-point opening-half performance.

In response, Hoog scored in different ways in the second half, mainly from the free-throw line.

“Carter is just a very smart player,” said Valle Catholic head coach Tyler Search. “He knew in the second half they were going to overplay him from the 3-point line. He did an excellent job of going to the rim and getting to the free-throw line.”

Ste. Genevieve head coach Robert Coleman also gave Hoog plaudits.

“Carter is a big, strong guard, and he handled our pressure,” Coleman said. “He’s a tough match-up for us. He attacked the basket.”

Hoog eventually dropped in a career-high 38 points, including 13-of-16 from the line as the Dragons racked up 27 personal fouls in Valle Catholic’s 68-54 conquest.

This marks the second straight season Hoog has produced a 30-plus point game, also having pulled off the feat during a tournament in Chester, Ill., last year.

Search said Hoog is drawing interest from several programs at the NCAA Division II and III levels as well as junior colleges.

A performance like Friday’s will only raise more eyebrows. He was the only Warrior to score in double digits, with Harry Oliver adding nine points and Chase Fallert seven.

Valle Catholic’s small gymnasium provided an electric atmosphere; however, the Warriors made sure last year’s dramatic finish didn’t happen — winning comfortable by double digits.