By ZACH SMART
NEW YORK — After pouring in 30 points during an 80-63 victory over Rutgers Prep, followed by a 27-point showing to go with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in a loss to St. Frances (MD) in the MADE Hoops Jordan Holiday Classic Saturday night, 6-foot-6 Class of 2026 guard Jayden Hodge catalyzed St. Rose (NJ) with 18 points during a 57-54 victory over Archbishop Stepinac (NY) on Sunday.
At The Battle Showcase at Long Island University-Brooklyn, St. Rose came roaring back from a 15-point third quarter deficit.
“We’ve had success when we play together and keep ourselves together,” said Hodge. “We’ve definitely had some rough first halves where we’ve had to realize that we need to play physical and play our game in the second half. We’re certainly not the biggest team or the tallest team. We have to play physical. We have to crash the glass hard. When we do that, things tend to go our way. That’s why we got the victory (against Stepinac).”
St. Rose heads into the holidays on a roll!
— Jersey Sports Zone (@JSZ_Sports) December 23, 2024
Jayden Hodge goes off for a game-high 30 points as the Purple Roses rock Rutgers Prep in an 80-63 win. Full highlights from a high-profile Top-20 NJ showdown coming later!@StRoseAD | @Jaydenhodge33 pic.twitter.com/9Dpikd6R3R
Possessing a vaunted first step and a knack for hard surges to the rim, Hodge has been a stabilizing piece playing for his Godfather, former Villanova guard and overseas professional Brian Lynch. Hodge has opened up his outside shot, materializing into a shifty and explosive three-level scoring source on which St. Rose has leaned.
The younger brother of current Villanova freshman Matthew Hodge, a 6-foot-8 forward who was recruited heavily by a bevy of high majors, Jayden Hodge is perhaps best known for his defensive prowess.
As his coaches have noted, it is jarringly difficult for ball-handlers to take two or three dribbles on him. His quick hands and stout-on ball presence set a loud tone for St. Rose, as he instigates turnovers and converts them into transition leak-out buckets as well as anyone in the Northeast region.
Hodge’s headiness as a play-creator, with a knack for crisp assists, has also spearheaded St. Rose. With his vertically explosive finishing arsenal and powerful ambidextrous finishes, Hodge has an evident college-translatable skill set.
With recent offers from Georgetown and Ohio State, Hodge has witnessed his recruitment pick up significantly over the last several months. He’s been hearing consistently from the likes of Seton Hall, Rutgers, Michigan State, Old Dominion, Ohio State, Kansas, and Arkansas.
After Sunday evening’s game, Hodge broke down some of the schools recruiting him:
Kansas: “I hear from Coach (Norm) Roberts a lot. He saw me play a lot during the summer with FIBA while I was playing for Belgium out in Finland. It was a high-level event, with all of the best teams in Europe playing. With Kansas, I definitely like the way they play and the coaching staff. I plan on visiting them after the season.”
Arkansas: “I am mostly hearing from (assistant coach) Chuck Martin. He saw me at FIBA as well. They play hard. They’ve got some great players. They really develop guys and get them to the NBA. I’ve watched a couple of their games on TV. They have a great team with Boogie Fland, he’s really killing it over there. It’s great to see a PSA (Cardinals) guy having the season he is having over there.”
Michigan State: “Coach (Tom) Izzo is a legendary coach. I like him a lot. He’s just telling me to sustain what I’m doing. He’s looking for me to get over there and visit the school. I think the style of play fits my style because they love to run. they love to get out in transition. That fits my style. The assistant coach, Tom Kelley, he’s been recruiting me.”
Ohio State: “They are recruiting me a lot. I really like the way they play. I saw them beat Kentucky (85-65) in New York at Madison Square Garden. It was a great game, for sure. Coach (Talor) Battle, he talks to me the most from that staff. He speaks with my Dad (Odell Hodge) a lot as well. The head coach, Jake Diebler, I speak with him from time to time as well.”
Seton Hall:“I speak with Sha (head coach Shaheen Holloway) a lot. He reaches out and we speak often. I think it is a good situation over there. They are coached really hard. I think I am a guy that can go out and play defense the way they want. They play really physical defense and that suits me. At (St. Rose), coach Lynch usually has me guarding the opponent’s best scorer or the guy that has it going offensively. I can guard the 1-3, the 1-4. They aren’t far from home at all, either. Just an hour away.”
Rutgers: “I think coach Pike (Steve Pikiell) is a great coach. He calls me a lot. They have a great team this year. I definitely enjoy the way they play. Dylan Harper, he’s a big guard. He has told me, they love to play big guards. I’ve been to their campus a few times already. I would definitely like to schedule an official visit soon.”
Old Dominion: “I think playing for my pops (on staff as a special assistant to the head coach) is also an option for me. They have a great coach in Mike Jones. He’s coached at a very high level with Team USA and DeMatha High School. To play for my pops, I would always keep that option open. He’s coached me my whole life really, my dad. Even when he’s not coaching and he’s on the sidelines, he gets me ready and gets me hyped and motivated. He and (coach Jones), they had a great career together at ODU.”
Villanova: “I hear a lot from them. Especially from coach (Kyle) Neptune and coach (Mike) Nardi. Of course, my brother is there. So, I’ve been to a couple of games this season already. I’ve developed a great bond with the coaches. I’ve visited my brother a couple of times there. The academics are good and it is a nice campus also.”
Georgetown: “I just picked up the offer from them. It’s definitely a great academic school. They are trying to build something good over there since coach (Ed) Cooley and his staff got there. They are having a good season right now. I like the coaching staff. I’m going to end up visiting their campus after the season.”
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