Wednesday was a busy day for Purdue
signee and Indiana Miss Basketball Jodi Howell. Howell was invited to be the honorary starter for practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After a tour of the facility, Jodi was escorted down to the Yard of Bricks and presented with a green starters flag. The flag was later signed by Indy Car legends Johnnie Rutherford and Arie Luyendyk, and voice of the Speedway Tom Carnegie.
Following the morning at the track, the Howells traveled to Blue River high school to speak at a basketball camp. Approximately 30 elementary-aged kids attended the camp, as well as the Blue River coaches and team members, and people from the area and New Castle media.
Jodi put on a shooting demonstration, performing a drill called "Groove Shooting". The drill had Jodi shoot 28 to 30 shots in a row. At one point during the drill following her eighth consecutive swish, one of the kids in attendance exclaimed, "Oh my God," which brought a chuckle from the gym. The demonstration showed the form and consistency of an Indiana Miss Basketball, one who finished her career with 2,026 points and shot 57 percent from the floor and 41-percent from the perimeter.
Jodi reports to Greencastle on June 12th to begin practice with the Indiana All-Star team. The All-Stars face their Kentucky rivals in Bowling Green on June 18th, and again a week later at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.