DeMuth shook label of the 'next Komara'

Wednesday, April 11, 2001

By Annette VanDeCar / Staff Writer

HIGHLAND - As a sophomore, Jenny DeMuth led Highland to the Class 4A semistate.

The season that followed was one of high hopes. DeMuth calls it the worst season of her career because the Trojans lost to West Side in the opening round of the 2000 sectionals amidst those higher expectations.

"We had so much pressure on us and we had to win at all costs," she said. "We were expected to do the same as the season before and we got caught up in that.

"This season, the coaches kept us relaxed and we did what we were supposed to do the year before."

With a different approach and more-close-knit team, Highland had a storybook season, led by DeMuth, the 2001 Post-Tribune Player of the Year. The Trojans went back to the semistate, losing to No. 1 Kokomo 46-42 in the first round.

"Being there was great, but this season, we weren't just satisfied to go," DeMuth said. "Everyone says we should be proud of how well we did, but we still lost. We had a 26-1 record, but the one loss hurts."

That is DeMuth the perfectionist talking, and that attitude made her the All-State player she became.

"I'm a determined and opinionated person and I always have been," DeMuth said. "When I see someone doing something, I want to be the best at whatever it is.

"I want everything to be perfect and that's always been the way."

Even though she didn't expect to win Miss Basketball this season, it was hard for her to accept at first. DeMuth was second with 70 votes to Ben Davis' Shyra Ely's 105.5. That is an amazing number in itself, as Ely was named Gatorade National Girls Player of the Year.

"Jenny thought, 'Maybe if I'd practiced a little bit more,' but I told her to step back and enjoy everything you accomplished," coach Chris Huppenthal said.

"Even if you weren't the best in the state, you still had an incredible career and it would be a shame to let those moments go unappreciated."

One of those moments was a 3-pointer against West Side that tied the sectional title game, giving the Trojans the momentum to win 63-59 in overtime.

"For the past week and a half, I have been trying to re-enact it from the top of the key and I still haven't made it yet," DeMuth said. "I didn't think about anything, I just shot it. It was natural instinct because I never take that shot."

Even before DeMuth played her first high school game, everyone knew who she was and had expectations. But Huppenthal said there were few times in her career she felt pressure.

"She has been a target from the first time she touched a ball and all that attention kind of wore on at her at first," he said. "There were times she just wanted to be a kid, but when you're as good as she is, you can't lose that."

DeMuth found a good balance in acknowledging her celebrity and remaining grounded. "I wanted all the fame and glory, and I had to take it in stride," she said. "If you get cocky, it could all fall apart. It was weird to have people look up to me because I am a normal kid like them."

After scoring 24 points on five 3-pointers in a 61-46 loss to Lake Central and Kelly Komara during her freshman season, people called her the next Komara. While it was an honor, it wasn't what DeMuth wanted.

"We play different styles of basketball and I wanted to be my own person," DeMuth said. "I hope the person who follows me can do the same and not worry about it."

She had her choice of schools to attend, but chose Indiana University where she should be an impact player as a freshman. She hopes to become a teacher and coach in the future.

"I've asked Hupp (Huppenthal) to keep a spot open for me so I can come back to coach," she said. "He has always been a second father to me and we have grown so close. He is the person I'll miss the most. I could never repay him or my family for all they have done for me."

 

Contact Annette VanDeCar at 648-3141 or e-mail:avandecar@post-trib.com

 

Player of the year

Jenny DeMuth, Highland

Senior guard/forward.

22.7 points per game.

7.4 rebounds per game.

5.4 steals per game.

56% field goal average.

3.8 assists per game.