Mowery cementing himself among all-time greats

• Zane Trace's Pierce Mowery is putting the final touches on the one of the best careers of all-time.
• Mowery currently sits at number six on the SVC's all-time leading scorers list with 1,533 points.
• The senior has also amassed 234 assists, 445 rebounds, 181 steals 508 field goals in his four years.

KINNIKINNICK - In case you've forgotten, Zane Trace's Pierce Mowery is still very relevant in local basketball.

The senior is currently putting the finishing touches on his magnificent four-year career as a Pioneer and, quite possibly, his second consecutive Scioto Valley Conference Player of the Year campaign.

During his time at Zane Trace, Mowery has done everything imaginable. The 6-foot-2 guard has connected on 234 3-pointers and amassed 181 steals — both school records — dished out 234 assists, and grabbed 445 rebounds all while shooting 42.9 percent from the floor (508-for-1,183).

He is currently the second-highest scorer in school history with 1,533 points — behind Jeff Reisinger's 1,646. He sits sixth on the SVC's all-time list and holds the school record with 84 3-point field goals in a season (2014-15).

Other numbers include a 78.4 percent mark from the foul line and a 34 percent mark from long range.

When Mowery walks off the court for the final time, the surrounding area will bid adieu to one of greatest players it has seen.

"I've gotten better every year," Mowery said. "That's been one of my main goals. It's hard to believe these past four years have gone by as a fast as they have. I learned the game from my dad and he's always told me to play the game as hard as I possibly can. Leave it all out there. That's what I've tried to do every year."

Mowery's father, Jerry, was by no means a slouch on the court either. After graduating from Westfall in 1981, Jerry was awarded the Bob Bowsher Memorial Trophy — an award handed out to the top senior boys basketball player in Pickaway County. As a Mustang, he also scored 1,135 points; ranking 13th all-time in Pickaway County history and 42nd all-time in SVC history.

Basketball simply runs in the family bloodline.

"There's a lot of that rivalry at home between him and I," Mowery said. "But dad is glad I'm beating his records. He does get that edge sometimes and thinks he could still beat me. But if we play cow or horse, the winner goes back and forth."

The Mowery family has been a local basketball mainstay for several years so it's most peculiar that Pierce has quietly put together, arguably, the best season of his career in 2015-16.

"Pierce has put in a ton of work, not with the basketball team," Zane Trace coach Allen Koker said. "He's always done a ton of work on his own. He's always played on an OYB or AAU team. He's always working on his own to improve his game. Your best player is not always your hardest worker. We have guys that work hard and that's why we've been successful. But Pierce works as hard as anybody, if not harder."

In 15 games this season — he missed five with an injury — Pierce has scored 336 points (22.4 per game), grabbed 121 rebounds (8.1) and logged 40 assists (2.7). He is the only player to rank in the area's top ten in scoring, rebounding, and assists; ranking second in scoring, third in rebounding and seventh in assists as of last week.

Those numbers suggest a possible second consecutive SVC Player of the Year award. If that happens, Mowery would become only the ninth player to ever do so; joining Nick Corcoran (Unioto), Josh Kellough (Huntington), Jeremiah Oates (Huntington), Chris Skaggs (Southeastern), Jason Cruse (Unioto), Bryan Alley (Southeastern), Mick Shoemaker (Paint Valley), and Dave Hammond (Zane Trace).

"Your best player should take the most shots," Koker said. "Pierce doesn't force shots and he's one of the leaders in field goal percentage. What he has done rebounding, he's been our point guard, is outstanding. His ball-handling skills have improved so much because he's worked on it. He passes the ball and trusts his teammates. Plus, he's an exceptional young man. Nobody would deserve that honor more than him."

In Mowery's time at Zane Trace, the Pioneers are 63-25 overall, including a 39-15 mark in conference action.

One thing is for sure: Whenever Zane Trace makes its exit during this year's postseason, someone will inherit the massive responsibility of filling No.3's legendary shoes.

"I've been around SVC basketball for around 27 years now," Koker said. "I've coached some pretty good players along the way. No slight to them by any means but Pierce's versatility on the court is unbelievable. He stands above the rest."

Mowery has, at least, two games left to add even more to his story as the Pioneers end their regular season with Adena Friday night before starting their 2015-16 postseason run against Southeastern in a Division III sectional semifinal.

Keys to success?

"We just have to play hard and execute," Mowery said. "If we can do that, we should have the success we want to have. I don't want the ride to be over but it's going to be soon. I'll be giving it my all."

dwebb@chillicothegazette.com

Twitter: @dw1509