INSIDE COVERAGE: CONTINUING THE SAVAGE LEGACY By Corey Adams Weeks into his first semester at Austin Peay, freshman Jared Savage was asked to write one word on a piece of paper, completing this sentence: "I am a Gov because…" With a black Sharpie, the newcomer quickly imprinted six letters on the blank. F-A-M-I-L-Y The legacy of the Savage family lives on in Governors basketball, with Jared following the footsteps of his father Jermaine to wear the red and white. Jermaine, a member of the 2006 APSU Hall of Fame class, recorded 1,345 points (14th all-time) and was a highly-regarded lockdown defender from 1992-96, helping lead the Govs to the 1996 NCAA Regional. You could say the youngest member of the Savage household was destined to become a Gov. With the ability to stretch the floor on the wing at 6-5, head coach Dave Loos was impressed with Jared's game when other nearby schools passed. It was really the only Division I offer he received coming out of Warren County High School, leaving a chip on his shoulder to prove others wrong. Austin Peay fans instantly reflect on Jermaine's legendary career when the Savage name is brought up. As his father looks on for all home games at the Dunn Center, Jared is aiming to not only continue the family tradition, but also branch out to become more than just 'Jermaine's son.' "I want to make a name for myself," he said. "Everyone talks about my dad when I get interviewed, but now I want people to talk about me." In his first year competing in the Ohio Valley Conference, Savage still seeks guidance from his mentor. Over the course of eight weeks, each contest will be a greater challenge for Austin Peay on its quest to regain supremacy. "He (Jermaine) has told me the OVC is a totally different league," Savage said. "They're going to scout harder, play harder and everyone steps their game up at the OVC. Just bring it whenever it's conference time." If you believe in small samples sizes, the future appears bright for Savage after one OVC contest. Against Eastern Kentucky, Saturday, the freshman reached double figures (10) for the second consecutive game, including two key second-half three-pointers. His minutes are trending in the right direction, with Loos moving Savage to his natural wing position full-time. A fresh addition to the conference, opposing teams have underestimated his ability from the perimeter, where he is shooting 40 percent from three-point land, but Savage is prepared for more attention as 2016 moves forward. "I'm new in the league, so nobody really knows about me yet," he said. "But as the season goes along, I expect them to play tighter defense on me." As the Governors look to bounce-back from its nine-point loss against the Colonels, Savage aims to ink a couple W's on the schedule as Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech travel to Clarksville this Thursday and Saturday, respectively. "We just have to play as a team," Savage said. "We branched out on our own, and didn't really play as a team (vs. EKU). We had a good practice today, so we'll be ready when Thursday comes." | 
