Instant Peay Play: Former Kentucky high school teammates continue chemistry for APSU Governors

Clarksville, TN – It’s not often that two high school basketball teammates continue their respective careers at the same Division I program, but Austin Peay State University has such a duo in Chris Porter-Bunton and Jared Savage, and that twosome are starting to make their presence known for the Governors.

Porter-Bunton, a red-shirt freshman post/power forward, and Savage, a true freshman wing/small forward, played in Bowling Green, KY at Warren Central High School for William Unseld, combining for 77 wins during their three years together for the Dragons.

Even though it’s very early in their Austin Peay careers, the former high school teammates have a proven chemistry both on and off the court for the Govs.

“I was excited when (Jared) made his decision (to come to Austin Peay),” Porter-Bunton said. “We still have that chemistry that we had in high school. We both look for each other and we know what to expect from each other and on the road we’re roommates so that’s pretty cool.”

Said Savage:

“The chemistry is good and it’s like a brother you already have, to have your back, when you first get to college. A lot of these kids are here my themselves away from home and it can be kind of hard getting used to it being away from home.”

Porter-Bunton has appeared in all 16 games for the Govs this season, after having to sit out the 2014-15 season with a stress fracture in his right leg that ultimately led to him having to undergo tibial nail surgery, averaging 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10.1 minutes. He is shooting 51.5 percent from the floor and 70.6 at the free throw line.

“It was a little tough because I never had to miss a basketball season before,” Porter-Bunton said. “But it was also good for me in being a learning experience being on the sideline and seeing what to expect.”

One hurdle Porter-Bunton is still working on is his conditioning after sitting out last year, but that too is coming around with his minutes per game going up from just under seven minutes per game in the Govs first nine game to just over 14 in the last seven contests.

“I sat out a whole year, so there was a little rust to shake off,” Porter-Bunton said. “I’m still not where I was before in injury, but I’m starting to feel like myself again and can go out and contribute and show what I can do.”

Savage comes in with a well-known last name for long-time Governors basketball fans, with his father Jermaine playing for the Govs from 1992-96 and earning a spot in the APSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.

But where the older Savage was known for his defensive the younger Savage is an outstanding shooter, averaging 4.5 points in 15.6 minutes played per game – hitting on 40.5 percent of his shots behind the three-point arc and 90 percent at the free throw line – but has turned it up as of late scoring in double figures in Austin Peay’s last two games.

“I think the coaches playing me more at the wing now, which is more of my natural position, so I can shoot the ball instead of playing down on the block has helped,” Savage said. “I’m still adjusting to the college game. The players are bigger and stronger and I have to get in the weight room and get stronger. On the court, I’m learned more on where I need to be and what to do in different situations.”

Both Savage and Porter-Bunton are just beginning to scratch the surface of what are hopefully successful basketball careers at Austin Peay, but if their past track record of winning as teammates in high school is any indication, the future for the duo and the Governors are bright.