Stamford’s McKenna Hoyt Drops 2,000th Bucket

By Rosie Cunningham

STAMFORD- Stamford Central School’s McKenna Hoyt is the fourth female basketball player in Delaware League history to exceed 2,000 points.

The feat took place during a Stamford Central/Jefferson Central (SC-JC) victory over South Kortright Monday night - Hoyt needed 13 points to reach the mark and with less than four minutes on the clock from the foul line, she did just that.

“As soon as I hit my foul shot and looked at my teammates I knew,” said Hoyt. “They were so happy for me.”

The 17 year-old said she fell in love with the game at a young age.

“Watching my sisters play brought me into the game and ever since, it’s been a part of my life she said. “My sisters have been my biggest inspiration in my game. My oldest sister, Madison Hoyt, played at Division 3 SUNY Genseso for four years, while my other sister Melanie Hoyt, played at Division 2 at Saint Anselm for four years as well. Melanie is now overseas playing pro basketball and has been killing it on the court.”

The SC/JC forward will also be playing ball at the college level for Division 1 Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.

“This is one of the most exciting things I have ever looked forward too,” she said. “Even though I will miss my family and friends, playing the game I love makes up for it.”

SC-JC Coach George Nebesnik stepped into his role as varsity coach when Hoyt was in ninth grade. He said she gives everything she has in every play.

“I feel lucky that my first four years in Stamford I have had McKenna Hoyt,” he praised.

He added that he has watched her grow as both a player and leader over the years

This season, Hoyt is averaging 30 points in less than 25 minutes of playing time in each game (average). However, Nebesnik said she contributes more than just buckets.

“She averages more than 15 rebounds a game and completely dominates the paint,” he said. “She gets teammates involved and her passes lead them to easy shots. She can handle the ball and she can handle pressure. There is nothing she can’t do at a very high level on the court.”

The athlete has worked hard to get to the level she plays at. From fourth grade to 11th she was part of a travel AAU team (HAVOC) in Albany, giving up countless hours and my free time to continue to work on her game.

“My HAVOC team built me as a person and a player and I will forever be thankful for them,” she said.

Aside from basketball at Stamford, Hoyt played soccer for five years at the varsity level, as goal keeper. She also played tennis for two years in the spring and is President of the National Honor Society.

Hoyt, who is the daughter of David and Rebecca Hoyt, said she cannot express enough how supportive the environment has been at Stamford and Jefferson.

“Everyone is truly happy for the things I have accomplished and I feel the same about my teammates,” she said. “Our fans have been a huge part of our game, their chants really help me and the girls get more pumped up. Outside of basketball, I pride myself on my relationships with my school, my family and friends.”

“I have worked with a lot of talented kids over the years, but she’s the best,” said Nebesnik. “I don’t think she always gets the credit she deserves for just how good she is. She’s a generational talent and I really think she has reached unstoppable territory. She had that rare gift of making everyone else around her better. That’s hard to do for a teenage athlete.”

Loved ones made a sign in tribute to Stamford/Jefferson ball player McKenna Hoyt in anticipation of her 2,000th point on Monday night on her home court.