Germany engineers route to title
Jacob Germany is the opposite of the town he reps on his jersey. The 6-foot-11 forward towers over his opponents. He stands out, even in the Big House. Kingston, however, is a smaller town in Southern Oklahoma. Most people when asked probably couldn't point out where it is on the map. Germany has made it known: the Kingston boys basketball team is nothing to think small of. He and his Redskin teammates showed that with a 60-30 rout against Millwood on Saturday in the 3A boys state title game. A University of Texas at San Antonio signee, Germany tallied 21 points while corralling 12 rebounds, capping a stellar senior season with another double-double. “It's unbelievable,” Germany said. “I wouldn't ask to do it with anybody else. We grinded all year for this, and it paid off.” Germany is a New York skyscraper in a small Oklahoma town. Millwood's Justin Wilson, who is 6-foot7, looked minuscule when guarding him. Then again, so do most opponents. Before this season, No. 1 Kingston (28-2) had captured victories in only two state tournament games. With Germany and Co's. help, that number is five, and there is a gold ball in the trophy case. In beating No. 2 Millwood (25-4), Kingston knocked off one of the most successful boys basketball programs in state history. The Falcons have claimed 15 state titles, which is second-most among boys programs in Oklahoma. But when Millwood encountered Germany and the Kingston boys, there wasn't much it could accomplish. “I can't say enough about how hard they've worked, how many hours they've spent in a gym,” Kingston coach Taylor Wiebener said. “Rarely do you get to coach a 6-11 guy that's as skilled as Jacob is.” Conner Brister poured in 12 points for the Redskins. Myles Jeffries added eight points for Millwood. Kingston's starters consist of five seniors, with Germany manning the middle. Next season will be a younger, less experienced squad. But it can tell the tales of how Germany lifted Kingston to its first boys basketball title while trying to replicate that success.