HALO Basketball Player Rett VanDeMark Voted ITG Next Georgia Male Athlete of the Month
Rett VanDeMark, a junior, has just completed what is arguably one of the best personal statistical seasons in the history of Georgia high school basketball.
But, VanDeMark doesn’t play for a well-known basketball school. Instead, he plays for the Homeschool Athletic League Organization. HALO is made up of other home-schooled students, and the team competes in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
For his accomplishments, VanDeMark has been voted as our February Athlete of the Month. Our newsletter subscribers and social media followers had the opportunity to vote for one of six candidates for our Athlete of the Month. With right at 42% % of the vote, VanDeMark just edged out Richmond Hill wrestler Tate Evans for the recognition.
In 23 games this season, VanDeMark averaged 26.9 points per game, shooting an outstanding 57% from the field. He averaged 14.9 rebounds per game, with 4.3 blocks per game.
VanDeMark finished in the top 10 in practically every stat category in the state in boys high school basketball. His 26.9 points per game average was third best, as was his 14.9 rebounds per game average. His 4.3 blocks per game average was fourth best in the state, as was his 127 free throws made for the season. His field goals made and percentage were both good enough for third best overall in the state. He finished second best overall in the state in the double doubles category with 22 double doubles out of 23 games.
When notified of being selected as the ITG Next Athlete of the Month, the HALO junior was both humble and honored.
“This puts a big smile on my face,” he said. “I’m not too big on promoting myself, as I prefer to stay humble.”
VanDeMark began playing basketball in the fifth grade and, like most great basketball players, was the tallest guy in the room and on the court. He was 5-foot-11 then. The growth spurt would continue into middle school.
“I went from 5’11” to close to 6’4” in middle school,” VanDeMark said.
Today, he stands at 6’7”, an obvious advantage on the basketball court. VanDeMark said he plans to play AAU basketball for the first time this offseason, either with a team out of Anderson, South Carolina, or hopefully closer to home.
“My dad may be starting up an AAU team, which would be great,” he said.
After that, VanDeMark said he looks forward to finishing out his senior season with HALO, and then hopefully the opportunity to play at the next level will present itself.
VanDeMark said that Bryan College and Johnson Ferry College, both Division II, are looking at him and have expressed interest in possibly signing the talented HALO hoopster.
Wherever VanDeMark winds up, his goal remains the same.
“I want to be that guy that my team looks to go to win the game at the end,” he said.
Rett VanDeMark is the son of Jeff and Carrie VanDeMark and lives with his family in Morgan County. Jeff VanDeMark not only serves as the head coach of the Halo Wolfpack basketball team, but he also founded HALO 10 years ago, in 2011.
Written by: Phil Jones
