McDermott's softballing talents have already taken him into the Hutt Valley representative sides in the under-15 and under-17 age groups and he was part of the under-17 squad who finished runners-up at the nationals this year.
Those experiences have whetted his appetite for playing at the highest possible level and he is quick to say selection in the Black Sox is the ultimate ambition.
"I want to play for my country - that's the dream," he said.
For that to happen, McDermott understands that every opportunity to impress has to be taken and he sees being one of the youngest at this year's ISA as a possible advantage in that respect.
"It gives me the chance to show I can mix it with older and more experienced players. It's up to me to make the most of it. If I do well it has to be a help for later on, doesn't it?"
In his favour is his versatility. He has shown the skill set to perform outstandingly at pitcher and short stop. Ask him his preferred position and he will quickly nominate short stop, but if Quinn and Clarke want him to play mainly as pitcher he's not the least bit worried.
"As long as I'm playing, I'll be happy," he said.
Softball is not the only sport in which McDermott excels. He is also captain of his college's first XI football and senior boys 'basketball teams but while he enjoys those codes it is softball where he aims to make the biggest impression.
"It's the No1, way above anything else."
