News From Terre Haute, Indiana

High School

April 16, 2009

Jake Odum is Terre Haute South's 8th Indiana All-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Throughout his career, Jake Odum looked at the seven Indiana All-Star jerseys on the wall in Terre Haute South’s gym to draw inspiration and motivation.

Someday a future Brave will likely do the same when looking at Odum’s jersey.

Odum was named to the Indiana All-Star team today by the Indianapolis Star. The Indiana State-bound point guard is South’s first All-Star since 2005 when Armon Bassett, another point guard, earned the honor.

“It’s such an honor. Ever since my freshman year, I’ve looked at those jerseys. It helped me set a goal for myself to keep getting better,” Odum said.

Odum becomes South’s eighth All-Star. He joins Cam Cameron (1979), Kevin Thompson (1980), Tony McGee (1989), Brian Evans (1991), Steve Hart (1992), Maynard Lewis (1998) and Bassett (2005).

Odum couldn’t really place any one thing throughout his South career that put him on the path to becoming an All-Star, other than endeavoring to work at it.

“I don’t know what made me better during my high school career, other than playing the game the basketball. The more you play, the better you get. That’s the way I’ve always approached it,” Odum said.

Odum was a late-bloomer as far as the rest of the state was concerned, showing up on few preseason All-Star lists. His senior season — in which South went 21-5 and was ranked as high as third in the state — made a big splash. Odum averaged 22 points, 6.4 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 steals in his final South season.

Still, it was touch-and-go going into the final week whether Odum would be honored. He had a good Top 60 workout last week.

“I honestly don’t know what [got Odum selected], but our team played well all year and I think that got some people to take notice,” Odum said.

South coach Mike Saylor felt vindicated after Odum didn’t make the Associated Press All-Star team.

“I just feel a great sense of justice, I’m just so happy that a kid who deserved to be an All-Star had other people that recognized it,” Saylor said. “The AP team? I don’t know what ineptness went into that. The coaches recognized his talent, but I was really kind of worried going into the top 60, what rationale would prevail. Thank God there were some astute people at the helm.”

ISU coach Kevin McKenna saw Odum play a lot, not only as his future coach, but because McKenna’s son Bobby plays for the Braves.

“I just think he’s very deserving. Over the course of the year he’s proven he’s a good point guard. He’ll be good in the All-Star games. The way Terre Haute South played in one of the strongest conferences, I think that’s a reason he was selected. It’s good for him and good for our program,” McKenna said.

The only downer for Odum was that future ISU teammate R.J. Mahurin was not selected. The Rockville senior was also on the All-Star bubble to the last.

“I was hoping he would’ve made it too,” Odum said.

Saylor has long been one of Odum’s most passionate advocates and the South coach didn’t hold back the praise once Odum got the ultimate honor.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a player that was that prominent in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals in Terre Haute history, especially in the modern era of 4A and the MIC. I’ve been around quite a while, there’s never been a player who controlled and dominated games like he has,” Saylor said.

“I’m just proud he’ll be able to take his kids and grandkids to South so they can see his jersey on the wall. He deserves it,” Saylor added.



Indiana HS All-Star boys basketball team


Indiana high school All-Star boys basketball team roster released Thursday by The Indianapolis Star, listed by name, high school, height and college choice.

Patrick Bade; Franklin Central; 6-9; Purdue

Kendal Brown; Evansville Harrison; 5-9; Southern Illinois

D.J. Byrd; North Montgomery; 6-5; Purdue

Derek Elston; Tipton; 6-9; Indiana

Bruce Grimm Jr.; Rochester; 6-0; East Tennessee

Jordan Hulls; Bloomington South; 6-0; Indiana

Justin Jordan; Ft. Wayne North; 5-11; undecided

Matt Kenney; Mooresville; 6-3; Valparaiso

Jake Odum; Terre Haute South; 6-1; Indiana State

Errick Peek; Cathedral; 6-6; Cornell

Colt Ryan; Batesville; 6-5; Evansville

Stephan Van Treese; Lawrence North; 6-9; Louisville

Scott Wood; Marion; 6-6; North Carolina State

Head coach: David Wood; assistants: Bob Nobbe, Marty Gaff.



Text Only | Photo Reprints
High School
Latest News
Multimedia

Like us on Facebook!
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
Join the Conversation
Helium
Front page
AP Video
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J. First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers Spy on the Wall: Video Conferencing at Risk Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash. Raw Video: Duchess Kate Visits Liverpool Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
NDN Video
Kim K. Wet, Wild and Natural Ultimate Tazer Ball is a Shocking New Sport Shakira Attacked By Sea Lion Modern day treasure hunter searching for $3 billion prize What Happened Inside Whitney's Hotel Room? Saying 'I Love You' With a Sewage Plant Tour VS Models Wow for V-Day Olympic Swimmer Proposes on Podium After Big Win Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial Watch: Whitney Houston's Golden Hearse Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving Glee Pays Tribute to Whitney Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump Kissing contest heats up Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News