Hart standout Parker Hovey signs with Hope College

By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com

HART–Hart senior standout basketball player Parker Hovey recently announced he would continue his career at Hope College.

On Wednesday afternoon, he made it official by signing his national letter of intent in a ceremony at Hart High School.

Hovey selected Hope over its archrival Calvin University and Spring Arbor University.

The 6-5 forward led the Hart Pirates to a 23-1 overall record, which included a West Michigan Conference Rivers title. Hart fell to Cadillac in the district finals.

Hovey averaged 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists per game. He was recently named to the WMC Rivers Division All-Conference first team. Hovey also capped off his career at Hart by scoring his 1,000th point this season. Wednesday afternoon, Hovey was named to the Division 2 Associated Press All-State second team.

“My senior season could not have been more enjoyable,” Hovey said. “I loved my teammates and being able to play with them. Being able to score 1,000 points was a very cool experience for me and something I couldn’t have done without my teammates. My career as an athlete at Hart was overall a great experience for me and I enjoyed playing basketball, golf and football.”

Hart senior Parker Hovey with Hart head coach Nick Bronsema (Photo/Leo Valdez

Hope College, a member of the MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) is coming off a season where it posted a 20-10 overall record, 10-4 in the conference. They finished the regular season in third place behind Calvin College and Trine University. The Flying Dutchmen, with Coach Greg Mitchell won the MIAA conference tournament. They advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III championship tournament before falling to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Mitchell will be entering his 10th season as the head coach next season.

Hovey will join a list of former Oceana County basketball players who have had successful careers at Hope (all former Shelby graduates) including; Jason Beckman, Danny Beckman, David Beckman, Brian Beckman, Rob Porter and current Shelby head coach Rick Zoulek. Joseph Hayes was a member of the JV squad last season.

“Overall, I loved my visit to Hope, as well as learning about their team culture and meeting all the coaches ,” Hovey said. “It helped influence me to decide to commit to going there. I see my basketball role at Hope being a great team player and teammate.”

Hovey has not yet decided on a major and minor. He has a 3.6 grade point average and is the son of Jeff and Staci Hovey.