MIDDLETOWN>>> Mia Hoogendoorn, 17-year-old senior varsity basketball player at Middletown High School, scored 1,000 career points this past Saturday November 23 against Lower Lake. Hoogendoorn joins the list of fewer than 100 student athletes to have accomplished the same feat, and in the second game of the season at that.
After unfavorable weather conditions forced the Willits varsity team to cancel last minute, Lower Lake filled the position, so as Hoogendoorn did not miss out on the opportunity to score her 1,000 points. “The first half was awful” Hoogendoorn shared, continuing “As soon as I scored the 1,000 I had 15 in the fourth.”
She made the 1,000 point basket in the second half from the free throw line. “I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.” After training diligently, building her strength in the gym early mornings to “get those extra shots” in order to reach this goal, Hoogendoorn said, “It was great to know that everything I put into it, was worth it and it all worked out.” She also thanks her uncle for providing her the original idea and continued support necessary to reach that goal. Although she has now reached the goal, she is not done shooting for the stars with her eye on the schools all-time top scoring record. “It’s doable if I keep my pace, I just have to keep it going.” Hoogendoorn’s coach and also mother Roxi Holt elaborated on this stating, “I played with the first girl to set the record when I was in high school. It’s very cool to experience that again as the coach.” She continued “To see it happen in the second game, see her set goals and accomplish them, it’s amazing.”
Hoogendoorn has made basketball her complete and total focus as she considers it the “main aspect, always my top priority.” She began playing basketball at the age of 5, feeling rather born into the sport noting, “Both of my parents coach, both of my brothers play, so I grew up at the gym.”
Over the years she has gained leadership skills and disciplined a work ethic, while also learning what integrity is, and how to be humble. Coach Holt added, “She is always a selfless player. If she can feed her team she will.” Hoogendoorn shared “Always pushing myself and teaching others on the court has helped me take control of the game.” Coach Holt added how Hoogendoorn “is very involved in the youth programs and is a great role model, not just for other girls but also her younger sister.” Holt notes that it’s the “icing on the cake.” These skills will continue to grow as Hoogendoorn hopes to continue playing in college, most likely for one of the community colleges that have already reached out to her, while she pursues a degree in stenography. She recently made the decision to continue her basketball career past high school, as she realized “that it’s the one thing” that makes her happy, all the time. Though when she isn’t training or playing, Hoogendoorn enjoys just relaxing, and spending time with her friends and family.
Hoogendoorn shared some advice for those looking to play varsity basketball and to challenge themselves to reach their goals. “No matter what, don’t give up. Give it your all.” She added, “You get what you put in, so don’t waste your time.”
