Stowell filling his role

By Rex Kirts

When Matt Carlino left for college a year early the "help wanted" ad was posted.
Cancel the ad. Ben Stowell has earned the job.
This was not a chance happening, the fact that Stowell was ready to step in. Stowell's capability was known, and coach J.R. Holmes had prepared him last year to be a contributor to this year's team. Carlino leaving early simply meant Stowell had a shot at starting instead of being a super sub.
The 6-1, 170-pound Stowell eased into his role this year. But in last week's Hall of Fame Classic championship game against center Grove he improved a couple of levels with a 24-point performance in the two-overtime thriller.
THE BIG NIGHT came in South's first loss of the season, but it showed the extra scorer Holmes has been looking for is on the roster. The Panthers (9-1 going into Friday's game against North) can now occupy the entire court with someone who can put the ball in the basket.
Holmes used Stowell about two quarters of every jayvee game last year in hopes he would develop a scoring mentality. He did, becoming accustomed to putting the ball up.
"He's pretty athletic, more than you imagine," said Holmes, who noted he was second in the state in tennis doubles his junior year. "He can shoot the ball. We obviously need him on that one wing to be able to score and play."
Spencer Turner is on the other wing, Dee Davis on the point and Desmond Marks and Joey Forney inside. Davis averages 22.5 points per game, Turner 15.7, Stowell 9.8, Marks 9.2 and Forney 8.8.
Holmes would like a little more consistency from Stowell. Prior to the 24-point game he had just four in the afternoon win over Warsaw. "There's no reason for him scoring just four points," the coach said.
STOWELL SAID he's been playing basketball "as long as he can remember." He didn't start playing tennis until his freshman year but moved up quickly, placing second in the state in doubles with Matt Acton as a junior and making it to semistate this year with Matt Helm.
A help in both sports is his intelligence. A 4.0 student, Stowell was Academic all-state in tennis this year. He's headed to Indiana University and is thinking of becoming a lawyer.
Stowell claims his big game against Center Grove came because the Trojans were keying on Davis and Turner.
"I was just patient, and the shots came," he said. "Toward the fourth quarter and overtime my shot started to feel better, and I wanted the ball more."
At the start of the season Stowell had to search for his role on the team, as did Marks. They had to fit in with returning starters Davis, Turner and Forney. "I was told I needed to play defense and just be a role player," he said.
BUT IT BECAME CLEAR another scoring threat was needed, and Stowell obliged.
He has drawn some major defensive assignments, including Nic Moore of Warsaw, Duncan of Evansville harrison and Ramey of Southport. Moore, with both Stowell and Davis guarding him, scored 34.
"I thought Moore would be like any other player who's supposed to be good," Stowell said. "But . . . he's the best player I ever played against."
He's had good practice going against outstanding players right in his own gym, having guarded Jordy Hulls and Dee Davis. "They're both really good," Stowell grinned.
He's approaching the city game with a routine attidude."We'll play our game and try to take care of business," he said.