By Robert Wilson
Madison Central boys basketball coach Ben Gardner believes his junior point guard Dylan Rowe is a Division I player.
The 6-foot-3 Rowe played like it last week.
Rowe averaged 31 points, 9 assists and 5.5 rebounds in two games for the Jaguars, including a career-high 39-point, career-high 12 assist performance in a double-overtime loss to Neshoba Central.
For his outstanding performance, Rowe has been named the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week.
Rowe, who also seven rebounds against Neshoba Central, had 23 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in a loss to Callaway last week.
Madison Central played both games without starting 6-4 senior center Will Brunini, out with a foot injury.
Rowe’s 39 points was four points short of the school record held by Jeremy Adams, who scored 43 twice against Gulfport and Noxubee County during the 2008-2009 season.
Rowe – a member of the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Preseason Elite 11 Team, is averaging 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the 7-5 Jaguars going into this week.
“Dylan continues to impress in all phases of the game,” Madison Central coach Ben Gardner said. “He defends with great intensity, controls the game at the point position, and is developing into a fantastic leader in and out of games. Dylan can dominate a game in so many ways. He’s a solid scorer and passer. Dylan’s tempo is next level, and he is sneaky athletic on both ends of the floor. His work ethic, skill set, and IQ are a joy to watch day in and day out. Dylan is a college ready guard that any program would be foolish not to want at the next level. I know it’s been a blessing to have him a part of ours at Madison Central and I look forward to all he will accomplish over the next year and a half.”
Rowe averaged 14.1 ppg, 3.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.1 steals and helped Madison Central to a 18-14 record and the second round of the MSHAA Class 6A playoffs last season as a sophomore.
Rowe has a Division I offer from Jackson State.
“Dylan is a gym rat. If he had food available at Madison Central 24/7, he would probably live there,” Gardner said. “He works unbelievably hard on improving his game and has continued to improve as a leader on our basketball team. Dylan loves to compete and play the game.
Rowe is the son of Marc and Tasha Rowe. Marc graduated from Marion, Indiana, High and Indiana University. Tasha ran track in high school in Hattiesburg and graduated from Mississippi State. Rowe’s sister, Madison, was a cheerleader at Madison Central and is a freshman cheerleader at MSU. Rowe’s brother, Brice Rowe, was a three-year starter in basketball at Madison Central and played basketball at Delta State and Virginia State. Rowe’s brother, Devan Rowe, went to South DeKalb High School and attended West Georgia and works in Atlanta. Rowe’s brother, Matthew Rowe, attends University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a boys basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
Previous Players of the Week
Week One: Mike Williams, Jackson Academy
