Bowlers stars as White prevails in Pub All-Star Classic

THERE'S ONLY one thing Michael Bowlers knows for sure when it comes to his hands. If asked to shake, he'll extend his right.

Other than that . . .

"I don't know which hand I am," he said, laughing.

Bowlers is a 6-7, 210-pound senior from Abraham Lincoln High and Monday night at Southern High, he filled a starring role as White topped Red, 86-80, in the feature attraction of the 37th annual Public League Coaches' All-Star Classic.

Aside from shooting 5-for-7 and 1-for-1 for 11 points, he posted game highs in rebounds with 11 and blocks with three.

"I write with my left hand, but I throw with my right," said Bowlers, who mostly shoots lefthanded. "I've been using both hands my whole life. I have no idea why I'm ambidextrous, but I know it's blessing.

"When I was younger, I used to play baseball. I could bat from either side."

Not so much in this game, as talent was everywhere, but during Lincoln's season, it was not uncommon for Bowlers to grab a defensive rebound and zip downcourt to the rim, uncorking a total of maybe a half-dozen zigs and zags.

That's uncommon for guys with size, of course, but Bowlers often made it look easy.

"Tonight, I wasn't looking to do anything fancy," he said. "I was sticking with basic stuff. Just get the ball and put it in the hoop.

"I was just so happy to be in this game with all the best [seniors] in the Pub. I saw it as an honor, and it shows that hard work pays off. I wanted to do my best and try to get us a win."

Since Lincoln's season ended, Bowlers has remained in shape by practicing with his AAU team, Hoop Dreams, and running around the gym at Lincoln. He's also trying to secure his future.

Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kan., a longtime power in the junior college hoops world, has gotten wind of Bowlers' skills and soon he'll head out there for a visit. Other schools also are involved, as many see his vast potential.

"I'm still weighing my options. I'm not sure what's going to happen," Bowlers said. "I've heard about how Barton is a nationally known program, so it's pretty exciting to know they want me.

"My AAU coach knows the coach at Barton, and that guy gave me a call. He said he sees me playing for them and I could really help their program. I'm looking forward to getting an education so I can better myself."

Other double-figure scorers for White were Boys' Latin's Maurice "Doo-Wop" Watson (17), Imhotep Charter's Khyree Wooten (16, three dunks), Southern's Malakiah "Max" Hunter (11) and Esperanza Academy's Shaquille Bowman (10). Watson added 11 assists and four steals, while Del-Val Charter's Fateem Brockington dealt six assists.

For Red, John Bartram's Gary Gordon (18), Palumbo's Demetrius Davenport (13) and Communication Tech's Tony Parker (12) reached double digits in points. David George, of Philadelphia Electrical and Technology Charter, claimed eight rebounds.

Although Bowlers spent much of his life in Olney, he now lives near Torresdale and Cottman.

Long range, he would love being an auto mechanic.

"That's what my father does," Michael said. "Sometimes I help him out with working on cars. I don't have really have a favorite kind to work on. I like 'em all."

And he probably can use either hand with the wrench.

In other games

In the prelim for players from Class A and AAAA schools, No. 22 for the former made Lemonade.

We're talking about Richard Lemon, a 6-4, 220-pound center/forward from Paul Robeson, who totaled nine points, five rebounds and four apiece of assists/blocks as A triumphed, 83-69.

If anyone wanted to play especially well, it was this guy. His senior season had ended in non-sweet fashion Jan. 10 because of a right-knee injury vs. Thomas FitzSimons.

"I came down on somebody's foot and dislocated my knee," Lemon said. "It was the very first play of the second half. Happened on an offensive rebound. In the first half, I'd played only 4 minutes and already had a double-double. I'd been having a good season up until then. Getting a decent amount of points and rebounds and helping my team. Playing tonight was important, because not too many people know about me. Without the injury, I was thinking maybe I could have made it to the [feature attraction].

"It hurt me not to be able to help my team because I was really the only guy with some size to go with athleticism."

Lemon guarded against trying to do too much in this contest.

"I wanted to make the right plays," he said. "Not force anything. I wanted to help my team, while also enjoying myself. It helped my [Robeson] teammate [Nate Hargust] out here and overall, I probably know about five or six of the guys from playing with them in outside leagues."

Luckily, news of Lemon's skills is already making the rounds. The West Philly resident (51st and Thompson) and future accountant owns Division II offers from Lock Haven (PA) and Alderson-Broaddus, in West Virginia. Numerous local D-IIIs also are involved.

In the other prelim, Class AAA trimmed AA, 84-70, as Roxborough's Samson Akano scored 14 points. Freire Charter's Carlton Wright (12) topped AA.

Contact Ted Silary at silaryt@phillynews.com. Online high school coverage at philly.com/rally.