Lowe with five offers

Playing for nationally ranked Mt. Vernon (N.Y.) High School, point guard Chris Lowe knows people will be coming at him each and every game. The 6-foot, 150-pound unsigned senior is trying to keep his teammates ready for the challenge all season long as they play for a state title while maintaining their national acclaim. In the process, a number of programs are trying to lure Lowe, a player with winning experience, to their school.

As the No. 4 ranked team in the nation by USA Today, Mt. Vernon has more expectations at the start the season than most teams have at the end. And finishing at the top is one of the things Lowe wants to do in his final high school season.

The team had a big scare to start the season. In a scrimmage against Christ the King, Mt. Vernon dropped the game. That immediately put the troops on alert for what’s to come this season. Lowe knows that will be the trend all season long.

“Every team is coming at us,” Lowe said. “We learned that real quick. We were lackadaisical and we got smacked around. It was a wake up call. We have to play every game like it’s our last.”

Lowe, a crafty floor general, mixes the flair for the dramatic with good court sense nicely. He played well at times over the summer and is a jump shot away from being a good instant impact player at the mid-major or higher level. For now, he’s doing what he does best and that is leading a team.

“I just want to show on the court that I can lead by example and by the way I play,” Lowe said. “I want us to get that state championship and get W’s. I’ll do whatever we need. I can score. I can help the younger guys in the program and helping the other guys get used to playing what our coach wants.”

Lowe said Fordham, Miami, Providence, St. John’s, Temple, UTEP and Virginia Tech have all said they plan on coming out to his game against Brooklyn’s Columbus High School on Wednesday. Temple was out for Mt. Vernon’s first game of the season. Lowe said all of the schools, with the exception of Providence, have offered.

He’s also started his official visits. Lowe took an official visit to Fordham last week he said. More trips could soon follow. He’s looking for a spring decision.

“I’d say by March I should have a decision,” Lowe said. “I’d have to say my top schools right now are Providence, St. John’s Temple, UTEP and Virginia Tech. I’d like to visit them. I’m basically looking for playing time and I how I fit in with the program and their style of play. I want to play somewhere that gets up and down the floor.”