Carter G. Woodson High, Hopewell (1958)

Jacob “Jake” Wyche, Jr. was born and raised in Hopewell, Virginia. He was number four of ten children born to Deacon & Mrs. Jacob Wyche, Sr.

Jake was the first student athlete to play on four championship basketball teams.

During his junior and senior years, he led the Woodson Trotters in scoring, rebounding, and steals. By the way, he was captain both years for the Carter Woodson Trotters. The team was rebuilding around Jake and one other returning starter. At every opportunity, the team played an up-tempo game. Throughout the basketball season, Jake had some really dazzling game performances. Woodson opened the season on the road at Saint Emma Military Academy (Powhatan, VA), and Jake was the leading scorer for the game with 24 points.

During the month of January 1957, he averaged 19.6 points per game with a high game of 24 points against the Southside Bears (Dinwiddie). During the VIA Group III State tournament, Jake tossed in 42 points verses Jefferson High of Clifton Forge. In the championship finals, he blistered the net with 28 points in a 70-55 win over Saint Claire Walker of Middlesex County. The Group III State Tournament Committee recognized Jacob Wyche as the leading scorer and the most valuable player for the tournament.

Wyche finished the ‘57 season by tying the Woodson all-time individual scoring leader with 42 points. The school’s history reveals that he has also become the second individual high scorer with 41 points against Ruthville High School.