Greensburg Salem’s McGowan incorporates basketball into senior project

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, April 4, 2018 | 2:36 PM

There are senior projects, and then there is Marvel McGowan's senior project.

The 12th grader from Greensburg Salem took the drab and just-get-it-done nature out of such an assignment with a practical application of what he enjoys most, basketball.

“I'm getting some elementary school kids together and teaching them the basics of basketball,” McGowan said.

McGowan, the Golden Lions' standout guard, is leading a two-day, youth basketball skills clinic Wednesday and Thursday at Nicely Elementary School in Greensburg.

The free event for children in grades 3-5 goes from 7:15 to 8 p.m. each night.

Whether the impressionable youngsters “marvel” at him or not, McGowan knows as sure as he's left-handed that the project will be fun. Like his game, he will take this task aggressively to the rim.

“I just want them to focus on the basics and get them started on drills they are going to see later on,” said McGowan, who averaged 24 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists this season for the Golden Lions, who returned to the WPIAL playoffs after a two-year absence. He finished ninth on the school's all-time boys scoring list with 1,225 career points.

McGowan is one of those players who seems like he's been part of the program forever. His coach and teammates will be sad to see him leave. McGowan is nearing a decision on where he wants to play in college. He likes West Virginia Wesleyan but has not made a verbal commitment.

“It's great that he is giving back to the kids,” Greensburg Salem boys basketball coach Craig Mankins said. “It wasn't long ago that he was one of those kids. It's goes fast.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Greensburg Salem