Hunter Hill has no shortage of individual accolades. But the Eagle Ridge Academy senior basketball player is still a team-first kind of guy. So much so, that he had no idea he was approaching the Warriors’ all-time leading scorer pedestal. One of his teammates had to tell him. 

“I never really paid attention to how many points (I had) or who was the leading scorer,” Hill said. “But I remember my teammate, Peyton Torres, told me. And I thought, ‘Well I guess that’s pretty cool.’” 

After Hill joined the Brighton school’s 1,000-point club, it started to sink in.  He knew he had accomplished something truly special. That’s because there’s no shortage of great scorers who have come out of Eagle Ridge Academy. 

On top of scoring more points than any Warrior before (his tally hit 1,118), Hill was a first team all-state selection this past season.

Hill was also a first team all-conference selection for three years straight. When asked to explain who he is as a basketball player, Hill called himself an opportunist. 

“I like to get downhill,” Hill said. “I like to cut and make opportunities for myself without the ball. I try to make the right play.”

As a slasher and explosive force, it’s no surprise Hill’s favorite player is Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Clippers. He tries to emulate Westbrook’s energy whenever he’s on the court, and use it as a catalyst for whatever his team needs from him on that night. (He’s got the Nuggets winning the Finals, though, of course.)

In his final season, the 6-foot-6 senior averaged 17.7 points per game, as well as 5.3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, helping Eagle Ridge to a 21-6 season record and Final Four appearance before the team eventually lost to Holy Family (Broomfield) in the semifinal. 

Though it’s all eyes to the future, Hill reflects on some favorite memories in his Warriors uniform. 

“This year, when we got to cut down the net going into the state tournament, that was a good memory,” Hill said. “We played a pretty good Riverdale team, who we lost to in a charity game. So, it was good that we bounced back and got the (win) when it mattered. And last summer when we went to the University of Colorado’s team camp. We just had a great time and ended up winning that tournament.” 

Eagle Ridge provided Hill with an opportunity to do what he was best at, he said. In his case, that meant creating opportunities and situations where Hill could get to the rim. He said no matter your year, if you can play and do the right things, you’ll get minutes. 

Although he’s sad to leave his teammates, the future is calling (literally). Hill is anxious to answer the bell. He’s had discussions with several colleges, including Kentucky Christian University, Centre College, Cornell College, and several others. But one factor is weighing heavy on his mind. 

“Being closer to home is a big thing for me, and that’s going to be one of the main things that goes into my decision,” Hill said. 

He’s confident his basketball skills and natural talent could carry him far on the court, but Hill wants to stay around sports one way or the other. He plans to study athletic training, exercise science, kinesiology, and other sports-adjacent studies in college. 

For a full list of Hill’s stats, awards, and accolades, visit his profile on MaxPreps. Can’t get enough prep sports? Subscribe to the Sportsland newsletter today for a weekly rundown of the best in the area.