2/11/2022
Bower Becomes Lake Center Christian’s Sixth 1,000-Point Scorer
Varsity basketball team captain ‘leads by example’
By: Emily Chesnic, Campus Communications & Volunteer Coordinator
HARTVILLE – Lake Center Christian School’s (LCCS) Ethan Bower is now part of a special group, upon netting a momentous accomplishment in his four-year varsity basketball career.
The senior guard and team captain became the sixth boys basketball player in LCCS history to reach 1,000 career varsity points.
Bower achieved the major milestone Tuesday, Feb. 1, when the LCCS Tigers came out victorious in a game against Central Christian School of Kidron.
At the start of the Feb. 1 away game, Bower, who averages 17 points per game, was 26 points away from obtaining 1,000 career points.
The score was 58 LCCS, 58 Kidron, with just seven seconds left in the game, when Bower scored not only the game-winning basket for the Tigers but his 1,000th point.
Bower, the son of Jonathan and Amy Bower, said halfway through the fourth quarter he “just knew” he was about to hit 1,000 points and reach the goal he had since the start of high school. His family was there to take in the moment with him.
Bower, who came to LCCS in third grade, said participating in athletics has given him the opportunity to realize success in sports while further developing Christian character.
“Playing basketball has helped guide my life principles,” he said. “I try to lead by example and align my actions with Scripture.”
While maturing as an athlete, Bower said he has grown in his desire “to do the right thing” on and off the court.
Bower, who started playing basketball in kindergarten, said he is considering furthering his basketball career at the collegiate level or becoming an electrician.
“Ethan is one of the hardest workers in our program and is always working extra to be the best he can be,” LCCS Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Greg Bryte said of Bower. “It truly has been a joy seeing Ethan continue to develop over the course of the last two seasons. He does so much for us, and we’re excited to finish the season strong.”
The LCCS boys varsity basketball team next takes on Rootstown High School in a Portage Trail Conference away game today, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
Following tonight’s game, the Tigers will have four remaining regular season games, giving Bower the opportunity to acquire additional career points.
LCCS Athletic Director Shane Byler said the Tigers will look to make a “late-season push” in the conference and tournament.
Byler, a 2009 LCCS graduate, also is part of the school’s 1,000 career points club for the boys basketball program. Other LCCS graduates who hit the 1,000 point benchmark: Cody Miller, a 2008 graduate; Brock Justice, a 2011 graduate; Michael Peterson, a 2015 graduate; and John Paul Miller, a 2017 graduate.
