Bowie’s Patience and Focus Pay Off

Ron Bailey, Publisher

April 5, 2006 – Most people, and understandably so, think that to earn enough attention to result in receipt of a college scholarship, high school players needs to log many minutes, and garner a large number of touches/shots. In all honesty, that is the recipe the vast majority follow to eventually participate in college basketball.

But every once in awhile, a young person gets to play college hoops without starting or logging a lot of ‘clock’ in high school. That individual may have played behind very talented players, or have worked very hard on his/her physique and skills. In the case of Darrin Bowie, both scenarios apply.

Currently standing greater than six foot four inches and weighing 220lbs, Bowie has finished his senior year at Montrose Christian School (Rockville, MD), and despite not playing a boatload of minutes personally, expressed satisfaction at a recent scrimmage with the experience. “It went good, we had our troubles” this year he first said, and then went on to indicate Montrose’s big season finale win against then number one ranked Oak Hill “was the way you want to end a season – on a high note”.

From a personal standpoint, Darrin, a forward, was pleased with his on court development, stating “I learned to be more of a team player”. Elaborating, he stated “I wasn’t playing that much on the floor, so I had to find other ways to contribute, which meant playing hard in practice, and talking throughout the game to my teammates (on the floor)”.

His work in practice was lauded by Montrose’s coach, Stu Vetter. “Darrin has worked very hard over the last two years” said the nationally recognized high school hoops figure. “He realized he was playing with some very good players (All-American’s Kevin Durant and Uche Echefu over the last two years). He learned by competing against them every day in practice”.

In addition to developing his skills, Bowie has transformed his body while at Montrose. Over the course of his tenure at Rockville-based school, Bowie has lost a significant amount of weight through hard work, according to Vetter. Darrin is extremely proud of that achievement.

Corroborating Bowie’s prodigious efforts over the past tow years were the comments of Elite Athlete Training System’s (E.A.T.S.) co-owner Alan Stein. “He’s an outstanding your man” he said “who probably made more physical changes to his body than anybody else on the team (Montrose)”. E.A.T.S.’s Stein, whose organization has provided younger athletes comprehensive and cutting edge, athletic, sport-specific training for six years, went on to praise Bowie even more. “Many times, basketball players are looking to gain mass, but Darrin was looking to reduce body fat, which in many ways could even be more difficult…I’m extremely proud of him”.

Presently, Vetter believes Darrin is “a developing player” who “has a good feel for the game, and is a good passer”; in essence a young guy who is just scratching the surface in regards to the player he will become. The young man's dad, John Bowie, agreed with that assessment, and added “Darrin is a very smart athlete”, who “has a great basketball I.Q.”.

Darrin’s combination of work ethic, positive attitude, and desirable and improving skill set is not lost on the colleges who have offered him scholarship opportunities. According to Mr. Bowie, “St. Mary’s, Frostburg St, and Goucher College" have all offered. Of those institutions, Darrin’s dad recently indicated that Goucher was the frontrunner.

The younger Bowie feels his experience at Montrose has amply prepared him for the challenges to be faced in college. This extends off the court as well, as in his estimation the school “has taught us how to be gentleman, how to do the right thing, and how to represent Montrose and yourself”. He even grew to accept the program’s shirt and tie travel policy, partly because he knows it will be mandatory later in life.

That penchant for being well grounded and focused is surely a manifestation of how his dad and mom, Marsha Bowie, have raised both Darrin and their younger son, Montrose guard Adrian Bowie. Darrin exhibited it once again when responding “Everyone’s time will come” to question inquiring how he handled his lack of playing time.

Darrin’s time seems to be here. Young people who may grouse about the lack of minutes they receive or their perceived role on the team should take note of Darrin Bowie. He could have tanked it, but didn’t, and now is on the verge of heading to an excellent university to study and play ball.

After that, he may end up in graduate school, or as his dad speculated, could become a basketball coach (due to his knowledge of the game and patience). Whatever the choice, Darrin will make the most of whatever path is chosen.

Darrin Bowie last summer taking in a summer game.