Legend in the Making: Andy Rowley leading the way for Royals

Posted: Jan 16, 2013 12:46 PM by Bill Halter
Updated: Jan 16, 2013 10:58 PM

Legend in the Making: Mission senior Andy Rowley

The Mission Prep boys basketball team is 6-0 against Central Coast opponents this year. The Royals stayed undefeated against local competition with a 61-60 win against Pac-7 leader Righetti last Saturday. Senior point guard Andy Rowley scored the Royals final five points including the game winner with ten seconds left. "He was absolutely a leader in that fourth quarter. He kind of took the game over, put the team on his back a little bit" said Royals head coach Terrance Harris.

Without a league of their own the Royals have created one in their minds, you could call it the Central Coast League. "We treat every County game or area game like it's a league game for us. We try to win all of them every year so we get bragging rights or respect around the County from the other guys" said Rowley.

Rowley has all the tools needed to play point guard. He goes back and forth, being a scorer and a contributor based on what he thinks the team needs. "I like being able to control the game and if we need a bucket or something, get our team in the right offense, tell everybody where to go. It's a lot of pressure sometimes but I like it" said Rowley.

The six foot Rowley transferred to Mission Prep as a sophomore after one year at San Luis Obispo High School. Everything he's done has been to put himself in a position to play college basketball someday. He didn't go out for football as a junior so he could focus on basketball but this season he couldn't resist and did put the helmet back on. Rowley caught 16 passes for 397 yards and 6 touchdowns as a receiver for the Royals who made it to the CIF-Southern Section championship game. "It was a great experience and I think it's helped me with my basketball, being more aggressive and being able to play through pain and injuries" said Rowley who decided to come out the week before the teams first game. "That competitive spirit that he has and he's just one of those consummate team players that just make you better no matter what sport it is" said Mission Prep football coach Chad Henry.

More than stats or individual awards, a trophy is the most important thing for Rowley to end his career with. Last year the Mission Prep basketball team got beat in the CIF semifinals, Rowley wants a championship. "Andy's a tough competitor. He's just a competitive kid and you can throw all kind of adulations at him but when it comes down to it you know he's always going to compete and that he's going to be tough" said Harris.

Rowley is averaging 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals for the 12-6 Royals. Mission Prep plays at Cabrillo (11-7) on Wednesday night.