Noah User Spotlight: Hope College

The Hope College Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs adopted the Noah Basketball technology last September, prior to their 2019-20 season. Men’s Head Coach Greg Mitchell first heard of Noah years ago at a coaching clinic in Lansing, MI and finally, after Women’s Head Coach Brian Morehouse spoke with three college and high school coaches, they decided to invest in Noah’s technology. Now, after several updates to the technology since Mitchell’s first encounter with Noah, both Hope College Basketball programs use the shooting system during individual and team shooting sessions. 

When asked if Morehouse thinks Noah’s technology gives them an edge over their opponents he responded, “I’m not sure who has it and who doesn’t, but I wouldn’t want to be without it now that we’ve incorporated it into our program.”

“I'm most impressed with the immediate audio feedback that instantly assists our players with form, muscle memory and quality repetitions,” said Coach Greg Mitchell. ”It has definitely improved our performance as well as assisted in form changes that I've made with players.”

Hope College Women’s Basketball

The Dutchwomen currently hold a 16-game win streak on an undefeated season, averaging 75.3 points per game. A unanimous favorite, the nationally ranked Hope College topped the 2019-20 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic association Preseason Coaches Poll, and have remained the No. 1 seed since. 

“We have definitely seen improvement with individuals,” Morehouse said of his team since installing Noah’s technology. “Some have made huge jumps. Others have been smaller.”

Junior guard Sydney Muller leads her team with 10.7 points per game, averaging 49.2% from the field. The Dutchwomen are also propelled by another junior guard in Kenedy Schoonveld, who averages 9 points per game and 38.6% from behind the arc. 

So far this season, the Hope College women have taken home the trophies at the Augustana College Tournament, Tip-Off Classic and M-Club Tournament. On top of their three trophies, the Hope College women beat their opponents by an average of 38.75 points. 

Coach Morehouse believes that practice on the Noah Shooting System, among other factors, translates to his team’s shooting success in games.

“Players can check their shot on their own after getting feedback from the data,” Morehouse said. “Being able to go over the data in the office helps translate to one word keys [the coaching staff] can give [the players] during a game.”

The Hope College Women use the shooting system before practice and during the week for individual skill development with coaches. Coach Morehouse believes the biggest benefit is the instant audible feedback given with every shot, combined with the data the players can look at during and after their shooting sessions. 

Hope College Men’s Basketball

The Hope College Dutchmen are currently sitting at 9-6 on the season, averaging 77.4 points per game. Their team is led by Junior Center Preston Granger, who averages 18.7 points per game. Freshman Evan Thomas contributes 11.7 points per game.

Like the women’s team, the Dutchmen use Noah’s Shooting System primarily for individual workouts before practices.

Sophomore guard Tyler George has made 50% of his 3-point attempts this season, and averages 54.1% from the rest of the field. As a team, Hope College performs 5.3% better from behind the arc than their opponents.

“Our players definitely see value in using Noah and I certainly feel any program that has one will feel they have an advantage over those who do not,” Mitchell said. “Being a Division III program and not being able to work with our players in the off-season, this gives them a chance to receive feedback during their workouts and also serves as a motivational tool to get in the gym since they can track their improvement.”

Coach Mitchell is invested in Noah to make his players competitive shooters as they work to improve their record to greater than 60% by the end of the season. The Hope College student-athletes spend time shooting with the system on their own time, and are able to view and study the data from their shot. The audible feedback allows players to adjust their form until they’ve hit the perfect shot at 45 degrees - and developed the muscle memory to stay there consistently.

“Competitive shooters are always looking for ways to challenge themselves to improve, Noah provides that opportunity,” Mitchell said.