1,000-point scorer Bowens helping Howard maintain lofty goals

Staff file photo by Troy Stolt / Howard senior Meechie Bowens (10) recently joined the 1,000-point club for his high school career. Bowens has helped the Hustlin' Tigers to a 6-1 start this season.
Staff file photo by Troy Stolt / Howard senior Meechie Bowens (10) recently joined the 1,000-point club for his high school career. Bowens has helped the Hustlin' Tigers to a 6-1 start this season.

With a natural and effortless left-handed shot, Meechie Bowens has left a mark with the Howard School varsity basketball program.

From hitting a school record 12 3-pointers in one game to coming away with six steals in another, the Hustlin' Tigers senior star has grinded his way to success.

"Growing up I used to always play with the big kids so I always had to shoot the ball from deep," Bowens said. "I could never drive in because if I did they were going to pack it. In middle school I didn't make the team in sixth grade and that really hurt me. But I kept grinding and hustling. I wanted to be really good."

Opposing teams respect Bowens, who is regarded by several local coaches as one of the best shooters in the city. In one game this season he scored 24 points in the first half alone.

In Howard's recent District 6-AA win over Central, Bowens hit a significant milestone as the three-year starter reached 1,000 points for his high school career. He now keeps the ball in the corner of his bedroom, where he displays all of his basketball honors and awards.

photo Staff file photo by Troy Stolt / Howard's Demetrius Bowen (10) brings the ball down the court during the District 6-AA boys championship game between Howard and Tyner on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 in Signal Mountain, Tenn.

"Meechie thrives when someone tells him he can't do something or he's not good enough," Howard head coach James Talley said. "He is a great competitor. He's the kid you want to see when you walk in the door. He's been around and has been consistent for so long. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. I think that's because of getting cut in middle school and having to bounce back. His teammates enjoy playing with him and wanted to help him get that 1,000-point ball."

Bowens' game is similar in to Steph Curry's in that the 6-foot-1 guard is not afraid to shoot from anywhere on the court. However, he is more than just a shooter.

With a quick first step he has also become more efficient at driving to the bucket, and can also create open looks for teammates when the defense is drawn to him.

"I like to get my teammates open too," Bowens said. "A lot of people know me for just being a scorer, but I am really passionate when it comes to playing defense. I love getting a steal that leads to points for us. Any way I can bring energy to the team, that's what I try to do. Whether that's helping us score or getting a big stop."

The Hustlin' Tigers (6-2 overall record) are also also led by 6-foot-6 senior post Kerrick Thorne, who is also closing in on 1,000 career points, while junior Xavier Fisher leads at the point guard position. Bowens and his teammates are working to help Howard return to the state tournament once again.

"I am happy that these guys are getting to play," Talley said. "I have watched them grow up and they have been talking about this day for a while. Howard has had a lot of success in basketball historically and these guys are capable of continuing that."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

photo Staff file photo by Troy Stolt / Howard's Demetrius Bowen (10) brings the ball down the court during the District 6-AA boys championship game between Howard and Tyner on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 in Signal Mountain, Tenn.

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