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Fort Bend Marshall's Eian Lowe
TAKING THE NEXT STEP: Lowe's journey impacted by more than Marshall's run to State
“What made this team so special was the fact that we were all bought into the goal,” Lowe said. “The chemistry finally kicked in for us, and the brotherhood was too strong for us not to reach that point. The defeats we experienced in the past, specifically when we lost in the Regional Final last year, really fueled us this time around. We just locked in and did what we needed to do.”
Though the Buffaloes ultimately fell short in the title game, losing 54-47 to Mansfield Summit, Lowe delivered a standout performance.
The stars of 2024-25 Fort Bend Marshall BasketballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
He led all scorers with 28 points and earned a spot on the State All-Tournament team.
As the stakes rose, so did his leadership.
“As a leader on this team, I knew it would potentially fall upon me to set the example,” Lowe said. “Even though we have a lot of talented guys on this roster, it was up to me to create ‘Big Mo: Big Momentum’ and make sure the energy was still up for us.
“Even if we weren’t playing up to the standard that we set for ourselves, I knew that I couldn’t fall. I had to keep the bar high so that we had the best chance of rallying against them.”
Lowe’s journey at Marshall began after transferring from The Kinkaid School, a private school competing in the SPC Division, during his sophomore year.
He quickly found that the public school stage gave him a different level of competition—and an opportunity to grow.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“The competition level is very different,” Lowe said. “I’m a very aggressive and competitive player, so being introduced to this stage allowed me to grow because I could go up against people who shared that same mentality. Competing with Marshall has pushed me to elevate my game in ways that the private school division might not have.”
But it wasn’t just his competition that pushed him forward.
His older brother, Jaland Lowe—a former Buffs standout and now a sophomore point guard at the University of Kentucky—has been a guiding force in his development.
“He (Jaland) has had an immense influence on me,” Lowe said. “He’s the reason I set the bar so high for myself because he showed me what it takes to be a great point guard and teammate, to the degree of advancing to the next level. Because of him, I see how the journey goes, what steps need to be taken, and the work ethic needed to reach that point.”
Now, Eian is beginning to take those steps himself. He already holds an offer from Lamar University and has drawn interest from multiple programs.
However, he remains patient as he evaluates his options.
“I’ve been in communication with multiple schools, both in and out of the state,” Lowe said. “I’m taking a patient approach and just waiting for the best opportunity I see for myself. I’ll be making my decision soon, but for right now, I’m just focusing on crossing the stage at graduation.”
With a state championship appearance under his belt and a bright future ahead, Lowe’s legacy at Fort Bend Marshall is already cemented.
Now, his next chapter awaits.
Guyer claims its first-ever state championship with their 48-47 win over Katy Jordan
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: Denton Guyer takes home the 6A-D2 Championship in State debut
“It’s a surreal moment,” said head coach Grant Long. “A lot of the guys who’ve come through this program have built up the tradition that it consists of. We just had a special group this year who were finally able to see the goal through.”
The Wildcats had a firm grip on the championship late in the 4th quarter, following a clutch 3-point jumper made by junior Silas Rodriguez, with only 29 seconds remaining.
Following a botched attempt of a buzzer-beater – thanks to an exceptional defensive effort – Guyer was then crowned the UIL 5A-D2 champions, with Rodriguez being named the State MVP for his considerable efforts (20 points, 3 rebounds).
Junior Silas Rodriguez accepts the UIL 6A-DII State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“There really weren’t too many words going through my head in that instance,” he said. “I’ve wanted to win a state championship all year and that was the only goal I had at that moment. Once I saw the ball go through the net, I was thanking God and was overcome with emotion. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better scenario.”
Coach Long was quick to add on to that sentiment.
“He (Rodriguez) has dreamed about it because he’s in the gym every single day,” Long said. “He’s called me up on more than one occasion to open the gym up so he can get to work. When he hit that shot, it wasn’t by accident. He’s not only a phenomenal athlete; he’s a great student. He perfectly exemplifies the level of dedication we demand here.”
Rodriguez wasn’t the only one who had his mind fixed on taking gold this year.
After playing his first two seasons with Guyer, point guard Jordan Lowery transferred to Winston Salem Christian School (North Carolina), before making his way back to the Denton school for his senior year.
Prior to this season, he posted "Unfinished Business” on his Twitter account, with the intention of carrying out exactly what just transpired.
Guyer Senior Jordan Lowery embraces Silas Rodriguez, following the announcement of the State's MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I came back to my family,” said Lowery. “I knew we had the necessary guys to do what it takes to win, and that’s what happened. Was it worth it? Of course it was. I had a journal before the season started saying that we’d win a championship, and it meant everything to see that play out.”
The Wildcats now make the trek home with a monumental prize in tow: one that coach Long knows his athletes will cherish for years to come.
“This is something that will never go away,” Long said. “25 years from now, we’re still going to be celebrating this, and what makes me feel grateful is the fact that this team won’t forget each other. I’m still in close contact with most of my former high school teammates, so I hope they do the same for the rest of their lives.”
The celebrations are only just beginning in the 76210 area code, and a new precedent has been established for the Guyer basketball program. Considering how proficient the Dallas-area has been in the sport, this could be just the beginning of a new dynasty.