PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?

“I did workouts with Dwight Walker from the Sanford Pentagon. I also played this summer with Warwick along with West Central games and workouts.“

PHD: What’s one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you’ve made the most progress?

“I improved greatly on finishing and ball handling. Finishing improved the most and helped take my scoring to a new level.“

PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?

“I play football for West Central. I play receiver and safety. We are currently 5-1 and rated 2 in class 11A.“

PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?

“I would like to make it back to the State Tourney and win back to back Championships. For me I want to make sure I play my role to the best of my ability.“

PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?

“Dave Hollenbeck is the best coach I’ve had. He teaches discipline creates a great culture and everyone has a role that he expects you to play. He taught me that in order to win Championships you can’t do things like everyone else does.“

PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate…Who do we need to know about from your high school team?

“ Connor Mebius Connor Mebius 5'9" | PG West Central | 2027 State SD his work ethic has pushed me to become a better player.“

PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?

“Payton Pritchard Boston Celtics. As an undersized guard, nobody works harder. Shooter defender playmaker“

PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?

“My defense. I work hard on staying in position and staying disciplined. I want to guard the other teams best player.“

PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that’s a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?

“Coach Hollenbeck overall and also Coach Ropps, who encourages me to stay late and pushes me to get more shots in.“

PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a “go-to” move you like to use?

“Left wing 3 is my hot spot. In and out with a crossover is one of my favorite moves.“

“Hayden moved up after the spring season. He was our best offensive creator and shooter. He also guarded the other team’s best player. He looks to have a standout senior season.“

-Role player this past year for the State Champion Trojans, looked tough this spring

-Moved up to the top Warwick 17U squad, knockdown shooter, salty defender

-Floor general/leader

-Tough shot maker

-Flat out shoots the ball and gets hot in a hurry

-Nice court vision and awareness/sees plays develop early

-Salty on ball defender

-Played hard and aggressive

-Tough kid likes contact it seems like

-Got down hill in a hurry and often

-Caught my eye with his clutch & timely shot-making, noteworthy shooter with an impeccable stroke, tough & scrappy player, lights-out from the charity stripe

-High-level shooter

-Very impressive in the space & shoot game

-Moves well w/o the ball, great feet & fluidity

-Executes, uses screen effectively

-Extended deep range, hits the downtown 3-pointers

-Hustler, hoops hard, makes scrappy positive plays

-Tough kid, not afraid to give him his body & take a charge

Heier was a major difference-maker this past weekend, helping lead his team to an undefeated 4-0 record with his offensive production and overall feel for the game. Hayden did an outstanding job contributing on offense and consistently putting pressure on defenses with his ability to create and capitalize on quality scoring opportunities. What makes Hayden so tough to defend is his ability to score at all three levels. He punishes defenses for overhelping or switching by finding great in-system shots, whether in transition or in the half-court. His combination of shot-making, decision-making, and offensive versatility allowed him to control the flow of games and play a huge role in his team’s successful weekend. Hayden also struck me as a lights-out shooter.

-15 points

-Multiple triples, hit some clutch shots

-Up to 6’1″, tough kid, took some hard fouls & he kept battling

-Great feet, excellent shooting stroke

-Smooth as butter 3-point shooter, swished multiple

-2/2 FT’s after a physical foul

-2/2 technical foul FT’s

-Played hard, great effort

-Helped the squad win a tight game, nice comeback

-Scored in bunches tonight and when team needed points

-Couple deep nba threes with hands in his face

-High IQ knew how to attack close outs and didn’t force shots/attacked basket for scores also

-Tough defender seemed to habe added juice on that end of the floor tonight

-Made some nice passes to teammates for open looks