Last summer in the Des Moines YMCA Capital City League, Dustin Hogue’s game was simply ok, but that was about it. He was a big body out there that rebounded and played some occasional defense. However for those who watched Hogue last summer in West Des Moines, the mere thought of a 34-point Sweet 16 outburst seemed ridiculous.
This summer, things are different. Hogue, who averaged 11.6 points and 8.4 rebounds as a junior, is looking to be more aggressive this summer while working on his offensive game.
“Last year, I didn’t really know how things were going to go,” Hogue told CycloneFanatic.com. “I played a real timid game and played defense but this year I am trying to score more and to be more aggressive. Coach told me to be more aggressive so that’s what I am trying to work on before the season.”
Aggressive, indeed. Last Wednesday, Hogue went 14-for-14 from two-point range in his team’s narrow loss. As those numbers prove, the big man was literally unstoppable in the paint.
Even coming off the heels of that Madison Square Garden breakout game and having more confidence now that he is a senior, being a big-time scorer will never be what Hogue is best at. He is a fierce rebounder and Hogue, who finished tied for second (with Melvin Ejim) in the league’s totals a year ago, has a goal of leading the Big 12 in that category during the 2014-15 season.
“Rebounding has always been my thing,” Hogue said. “Whether I score or not or whether I am having a bad game, as long as I can rebound and help control the tempo that’s fine. Last year the Oklahoma guy (Ryan Spangler) kind of came up out of nowhere but this year, I think I have a chance to lead the league.”
On Friday night, Hogue showed some versatility on the offensive end by making six 3-pointers in a 42 point night.
Hogue’s Coca-Cola (along with Sherron Dorsey-Walker) team will play Renaissance Granite (Georges Niang & Kourtlin Jackson) tonight at 7 in the Valley Southwoods Gym. To start things off tonight, Phoenix Renewable Resources (Naz Long & Daniel Edozie) will play ADIO Chiropractic (Monte Morris & Matt Thomas). At 5:45, Capital Orthopedics (Abdel Nader & Clayton Custer) will play the YMCA (Jameel McKay & Hallice Cooke).
