A Cool Confidence: Fowler’s career-high 41 points leads Rebels past T.L. Hanna
Will Fowler put together a performance to remember against T.L. Hanna, coming up with a career-high 41 points in a matchup between two of the top-ranked teams in Class 5-A.
There’s a thin line between confidence and cockiness. Will Fowler knows this all too well. He tries hard to walk that narrow road.
But after dropping 41 points and leading his team over a top-five opponent, well, he certainly didn’t mind getting in a few flexes.
Fowler put up a new career-high of 41 points Thursday night in an 85-78 win over No.4 T.L. Hanna, leading Byrnes (12-4) to arguably its most impressive victory of the season thus far.
“This is a result of a whole lot of work,” said Fowler after the game. “I’ve been working constantly in this gym, working on the goal I’ve got at the house. Early mornings and late nights, every single day. That’s where this comes from.”
Fowler seemed incapable of missing throughout Thursday’s offensive clinic.
Mid-range pull-up jumpers? No problem. Deep shots in three-point territory? Fowler had it covered. Driving to the basket and finishing through contact? He did it several times, and the Jackets had no answer. They had no choice but to foul Fowler several times as opposed to letting him score.
That didn’t work either, of course, as the senior point guard went a perfect 11-11 on free throw attempts.
It was simply his night. Will and his younger brother, Colt, combined for 64 of the Rebels’ 85 points.
“Colt and I, we’re definitely going to laugh and joke about it when we get back to the house,” said Will. “It’s just so much fun. I feel like when we’re on the court together I know where he is, and he’s got eyes in the back of his head to know where I am. It’s that brother-to-brother connection.”
Neither team managed to create much legroom for the majority of the game, but in the fourth quarter, the Jackets took a five-point lead with five minutes to go. Will led the Rebels back, pocketing 13 of his 41 points in the final frame, including the go-ahead free throws late.
After the game, Will walked over to the student section and flashed the “Rebels” logo on the front of his jersey. They cheered and chanted his name. He yelled right back at them.
“Our fans are seriously amazing. Seeing everybody here going crazy, yelling my name, it gets me energized, turns me up,” said Will. “It’s a big family we’ve got over here.”
“Will is one of the most confident kids, and he’s not arrogant about it, either. I know that comes from the amount of work he’s put in,” said Byrnes head coach Layne Fowler. “I truly believe you only get true confidence or ‘swag’ if you’ve put the work in.”
Layne pointed to Will’s 10-month-long recovery from a broken foot when asked about his performance. Will missed the bulk of his junior season as a result.
The injury, Layne said, reminded Will that in the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away.
“If you don’t stay humble, there are a lot of things that can humble you,” said Layne. “I’m not saying that’s why that happened with Will, but he knows now just how quickly things can change.
“He was getting recruited like crazy, and then for that 10-month period, almost all of that stopped. I think that’s given him an edge, a chip on his shoulder, and helps him have games like he did tonight.”
“There was a lot of doubt for me during those 10 months,” said Will. “God had a plan for me, though. I knew He did. I just had to trust Him and stick by that plan.”
Fowler will continue leading his Runnin’ Rebels as region play ramps up this week. Byrnes will welcome Boiling Springs to Schofield Gymnasium on Jan. 12, with a date at Dorman looming large on Jan. 16.
THE SCORE BY QUARTERS
Hanna 27 14 18 19 - 78
Byrnes 22 23 17 23 - 85
BYRNES STAT LEADERS
Will Fowler - 41 points
Colt Fowler - 23 points
Knife Hill - 6 points
Conner Page - 5 points
Kayzzin McDowell - 4 points
KJ Stephens - 4 points
Jamari Cullen - 2 points