DAYTON, Ohio — The Canal Fulton Northwest girls’ basketball team has made it to the state semifinals for the first time in its history. This is something that head coach Kevin Lower has been working toward, and it will be a big game for him and his family.
His daughter, Kendall, and niece, Gwen, both play on the team, which adds to the excitement for Lower.
“Having my daughter a sophomore as part of the team and my niece is a senior, just having them around there as well and the family inclusion kind of just leads with what our chant is. We say, ‘family on three’ and that has a real meaning,” he said.
The family ties do not stop there. His father, Jim, coached for the Canal Fulton Northwest boys’ basketball team for more than 20 years and they even made an appearance in the 2004 state title game. Lower feels like he is carrying on his father’s legacy this weekend.
“To take what he’s instilled in Northwest sports as a whole and the community as a whole and kind of ride and continue that path has been awesome,” he said.
Lower also used to coach boys’ basketball, but four years ago began coaching girls. He explained there is a difference in between the attention that boys sports get compared to girls, but his team is helping to change that.
“I think it’s great for these girls to see like hey you’re not second fiddle to anyone. You’re right there with everybody else. Whether it’s boys, girls, across the board, girls’ basketball here is phenomenal and the community loves to come out and support them which is awesome,” he said.
Canal Fulton Northwest takes on Proctorville Fairland at 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon in Dayton.
