There are two words that come to mind when Landrum boys’ basketball coach Lyn Smith is talking about his senior point guard Cole McDowell – fearless and fast.
McDowell is fearless on the court as he flies from one end of the court to the other.
And that’s precisely what Smith wants out of McDowell. Landrum basketball, as Smith describes it, is constant speed. McDowell, like his brother Garrison before him, is the perfect spark plug for the Cardinal engine.
McDowell is effortless as he pushes the ball up the court and as Smith says, “he has a really outstanding outside shot and really has a quick first step to the basket.”
But beyond that, McDowell is what a point guard should be – decisive. The senior makes up his mind quickly about what he wants to do.
“I’m guaranteed to get a foul or two points out of it,” McDowell said.
McDowell provides senior leadership on a team that is primed for success this season. Alongside McDowell are Mark Wilson, Alex Bryant, Truston Whiteside and newcomer Daniel Bridges. The Cardinals are talented and deep.
“I think we can win it all,” McDowell said. “We’ve got a lot of chemistry. We’ve put in a lot of time, sweat and practice together.”
McDowell is contributing heavily to that, averaging 10 points and five assists per game.
The Cardinals are ranked as the No. 2 team in the state in the 1A rankings currently and are competing at a high level.
“We all have the same drive and goals,” the senior said. “We’ve got a ton of athletes.”
Landrum has won three of the last five region championships. Cole and Garrison have been a part of all three. The older McDowell was the point guard in 2007. Cole played on the 2009 and 2011 region championship teams.
Do the two communicate during basketball season?
“After every game and every practice, he calls me,” Cole said. “That’s just what we do.”
McDowell and the Cardinals played in the KSA Tournament in Orlando, Fla. earlier this week. Next week the Cardinals will host the Battle at the Border Shootout.