Trey Hinote has loved the sport of basketball ever since he knew what it was. After signing a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday with Dordt College (Sioux Center), the 6′ 0″ shooting guard will have an opportunity to keep playing beyond high school. Brian Van Haften is the head coach at Dordt. He’s in his first season there after more than 20 years as the men’s head coach at Buena Vista University (Storm Lake) with a record of 414-188 while with the Beavers. “VH” as he’s known, coached 1998 Jefferson-Scranton grad Adam Jones at BVU, and Jones went on to become the NCAA DIII National Player of the Year as a senior for the Beavers. Current Jefferson businessman Scott Weber (from Audubon) also played for the Beavers under Van Haften’s direction and earned postseason honors.

Dordt is an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) member and able to award athletic scholarships. They play in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). The College is associated with the Christian Reformed Church.

Hinote has been on the shelf with an ankle injury suffered Nov. 30 in Jewell vs. South Hamilton. He has 964 career points and has made 190 three-point goals in his career. A returning first team Heart of Iowa Activities Conference player, Hinote 33 and 21 points in his first two games this season before the injury. He told Raccoon Valley Radio he will play in tomorrow night’s home game in Jefferson vs. Roland-Story.

Coach Van Haften told Raccoon Valley Radio he’s signed five recruits for 2019-20, including Hinote. “We need more players who can shoot the basketball, and that’s where Trey fits in,” said VH.