Downingtown East’s Jayden Rowe hopes for impactful senior campaign

UWCHLAN >> While it’s doubtful that anyone can predict when the 2020-21 boys scholastic basketball season will be played due to the continuing COVID-19 virus, it’s safe to say that if there is a season, Downingtown East’s 6-foot-4 senior Jayden Rowe will be one of the most dominant players in the Ches-Mont League.
The Cougars shooting guard has a very good shooting touch, is a handful going to the rim and is a fierce defender that can guard multiple positions on the floor.
And after Rowe graduates from Downingtown East, the Cougars leader is headed to Division 2 Millersville University to further his academic and athletic career.
“Millersville was always on my radar since they showed interest in me in my sophomore summer,” Rowe said. “They really expressed a lot of interest in me and I loved my visit there. They play up-tempo basketball and it was always a dream of mine to play Division 2 basketball. I am very happy with my college choice. My dad went to Millersville and he loved it but that was not a big part of my decision. I just felt very comfortable there. Basketball is a two-way game, both offense and defense, and I feel I can play either pretty well, and at Millersville.”
The past two seasons saw Rowe contribute to Cougar teams that advanced to the PIAA 6A playoffs both years, the first time in program history that feat was achieved. While Rowe was a big part on the floor of both those squads, Downingtown East head coach John Goodman expects Rowe to be a leader for his young team this season.
“I definitely see Jayden as a leader this season,” Goodman said. “The past two years we had Andrew King and Dave Owsik and they were real quality players and leaders, but this season we need Jayden’s voice a little more because those other voices are not there anymore.”
Those expectations for Rowe to lead the young Cougars roster is OK with the fiery Cougar guard.
“I would not say it is my team or anything,” Rowe said. “But, as a senior I feel like it is my role to help out and encourage our younger guys as much as I can on the floor and in practice. This has been such a weird year because of the COVID and everything, but I really feel it is my role to lead on and off the floor.”
Defense is a gigantic part of the game and Rowe consistently gets the call to shut down the opposing teams best scorer; and at 6-foot-4, Goodman said he expects that from his star senior and going forward when Rowe is on the floor at Millersville.
“Jayden is every bit of 6-4,” Goodman said. “And he has really taken advantage of the COVID postponement to the start of the season. He has gotten very big and strong and I think at Millersville he is going to be able to guard from the number one to the four. He will do that for us and his strength is also going to help him going to the rim. He has really worked hard and he looks great.”
Rowe said that the uncertainty if there is going to be a season for him and his fellow Cougars weighs on his mind although he is just trying to take one day at a time.
“I mean, this is very weird this season and who knows if we are going to have a season or not,” said Rowe. “I really want to have a senior season. I think everybody that plays wants that but if we can’t have that then I will just get ready for college. This year you have to be a ready for anything.”
As much as Rowe is getting ready for anything, fellow Ches-mont League schools better get ready for the Downingtown East star guard, who can take over a game all by himself whenever this crazy and unpredictable season starts.