Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Quincy Notre Dame’s Jake Hoyt

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.

QUINCY — Jake Hoyt was hit with a double whammy of expectations.

He moved into the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s starting lineup as a freshman, and he’s the son of John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt. He was expected to know the game and play at a high level quicker than anyone his age.

Hoyt handled that pressure with poise, developing into the leader and playmaker that guided the Raiders to a 20-win season his senior year. More importantly, he never flinched. He never let the outside expectations overwhelm him and continued to play his game.

It resulted in solid numbers across the board last winter — a team-leading 31 3-pointers made, 7.7 points per game, 69 assists and 33 steals. Being the Raiders’ floor general and helping them navigate the ups and downs of the season is where he shined.

It’s how he exceeded the expectations he initially met.

Hoyt will represent QND on the Illinois squad for the second Muddy River Showcase, taking place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center.

Here are six things you should know about Jake Hoyt:

Where you plan to go to college: Illinois College

What you plan to study: Health sciences/kinesiology

Reason you wear your number: It’s Colin Kurk’s number in soccer.

Favorite high school basketball memory: Flooding the dishwasher during the State Farm Holiday Classic.

Best piece of advice you have ever received: “When life gives you lemons, get in the gym and work harder.” — Brady Kindhart.

Best advice you’d give younger teammates: Act like you belong.