Nifty Story about Hans from high school

by tigr on Jun 30, 2009 8:42 PM EDT

Vashon still motivates Hansbrough — There has been some criticism of the Indiana Pacers for taking North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough with the 13th pick, with some saying he isn't a good enough prospect to be picked that high. But Hansbrough vividly remembers one of the rare times he was doubted while in high school.

In 2005, his Poplar Bluff squad entered the Missouri state final as an underdog to Vashon, which had a 60-game winning streak and No. 1 national ranking from USA Today. Hansbrough had 29 points and had 16 rebounds, and Poplar Bluff won 72-56. And Hansbrough looked ready to play Friday upon the mere mention of Vashon.

"Nobody really thought we were going to win that game," he said. "We were just a small country team no one had really heard about. They had some pretty good players, and everybody was overlooking us. It kind of ticked us off, so we went in there and ... got a state championship."

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how did a small country team end up playing Oden on ESPN???

they say they are class 5… ???

by dbcb on Jun 30, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe the legend gets twisted a bit in lore

Like how no one seems to mention that Milan was actually one of the state’s best teams.

by Nathan S. on Jun 30, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

i actually saw that game on youtube several times before this post.

by kookygoddess on Jul 4, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

not the hansbrough-era poplar bluff vs vashon, but vs lawrence north. oden was a junior there at that time.

by kookygoddess on Jul 4, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

check this out

Posted 12/10/2004 1:56 AM

Oden, Hansbrough shine under ESPN lights

By Jeff Rabjohns, The Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS — After the first half of Thursday night’s nationally televised game, Lawrence North junior Greg Oden didn’t look like the top player in the nation.

One basket. Two points. His team trailing by three points.

Three minutes into the second half, everything changed.

Oden threw down one powerful dunk after another, starting a highlight show that lasted until Lawrence North’s 56-40 victory over Poplar Bluff (Mo.) was finished.

When it was over, the 7-foot junior had 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting, with five dunks, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

His opponent for the ESPN2 telecast played in front of approximately 7,000 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, 6-9 senior Tyler Hansbrough, was impressive as well. The North Carolina recruit scored 16 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the floor, with 12 rebounds, one assist and one block.

Lawrence North senior forward Donald Cloutier, headed for Western Michigan, turned heads with 15 points, shooting 7-of-9 from the field with two dunks and solid defense on Hansbrough.

The made-for-TV matchup, once tied at 32, turned into a rout once Oden erupted.

He scored 11 of his team’s 13 points — nine coming in a row on four highlight-film dunks and a free throw — during one stretch in the second half.

On the first two dunks, he posted deep in the lane against 6-8 Ross Whelan, turned, slammed and drew a foul.

by kookygoddess on Jul 4, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions