Oh, my, Ohmer goes for 41 points, 17 rebounds

March 15, 2017 FieldsColumn

Jake Ohmer had 41 points, 17 rebounds in Scott’s win over Harlan County in Rupp Arena Tuesday night.

BY MIKE FIELDS (March 15, 2017)

Jake Ohmer was Mr. Low Key after going for 41 points, 17 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists in Scott’s 77-65 victory over Harlan County in the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 Tuesday night.

It was the highest scoring performance in the state tournament since Elizabethtown’s Antwain Barbour had 42 against Russellville in 2000.

Asked how it felt to be Jake Ohmer after his star turn in Rupp Arena, the 5-foot-9 senior guard deflected the glory.

“It feels good, but I’m more glad about how our team played together and how we came out and got the win,” he said.

Coach Steve Fromeyer was quick to point out that his Eagles aren’t “Jake Ohmer and the four misfits. We have good pieces around him.”

Ohmer has a team-first attitude, too. But he’s also used to being the media darling this post-season.

The University of the Cumberlands’ commit has 145 points in Scott’s last four games, including 46 against Paris in the 10^th Region semifinals, and 30, capped by a game-winning three-point buzzer-beater, against Campbell County in the region finals.

Fromeyer said he wasn’t surprised by his performance in Rupp: “I’ve watched Jake Ohmer score 40 points a game since he was in the sixth grade.”

Pete Ohmer, Jake’s dad, has been most impressed by his son’s steady and consistent play this season.

“He’s averaged 27 points a game, and I think his low for the season might be 19, or something like that. And I think he’s only averaging about 15 shots a game.

“He does a pretty good job of not getting rattled. He’s always been that way. The big thing is, he just doesn’t want to lose.”

Still, Pete Ohmer, who was a 1,000-point scorer in his playing days at Covington Holy Cross, said it was “surreal” to watch Jake score 41 in the Sweet 16.

“I’ve been coming to Rupp Arena since I was in the seventh-grade, and I’ve seen the likes of Richie Farmer, and I saw Paul Andrews’ half-court shot.

“So, yes, this was very special.”

The only person who acted underwhelmed by Jake’s big night was his brother Chad, a sophomore starter for the Eagles.

“Jake’s a scorer, but he still can’t score on me,” Chad deadpanned in the media room.

Jake laughed, but later admitted that, his brother can indeed “sometimes actually” shut him down.

No opponent has been able to shut down Jake Ohmer the last couple weeks, a fact that hasn’t really sunk in with him yet.

“I think I’ll really realize it all after the season’s over,” he said. “Right now I’m just focused on winning and helping our team get to the state finals.”

Oh, my, Ohmer goes for 41 points, 17 rebounds

ABOUT MIKE FIELDS

Recent Fields Column Posts

Contact Us » P:(859) 299-5472 - F:(859)-293-5999 ~ 2280 Executive Drive, Lexington, KY - 40505