No (real) pressure for the Fowler family, despite tough Bootheel foes

The coaching staff for the Campbell High School varsity boy’s basketball squad will feel some pressure this week, as the Bootheel Conference Tournament unfolds at Portageville High School. However, for second-year Camel assistant coach Blake Fowler, you'll have to forgive him if he isn’t stressed to the max with each outing by his team.

The No. 1-seed Camels (16-2) will face No. 4-seed South Pemiscot (11-5) in the championship semifinal round on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.

Fowler and Steven Stroup are aiding veteran Campbell coach Steve Fowler, with the younger Fowler having made the transition to helping his father last year after getting “deathly sick” during the 2022-23 basketball season at Central Methodist University, where he was a sophomore guard.

“I like being on the other side (of basketball) now,” Blake said of instructing instead of shooting. “It’s been good to take a step back and analyze the game from a different standpoint.”

Blake was in his second season with the Eagle program after leading the Camels to the 2021 MSHSAA Class 2 state championship, when he contracted mononucleosis, and was “sick all of the time.”

“One day,” Blake recalled, “I was throwing up, and I aspirated some. Over the next couple of days, I was in the (emergency room) and I had (developed) an infection in my lungs.

“From there, I had emergency surgery right after that.”

Blake had necrotizing pneumonia, which is a rare, but severe, illness that leads to the death and destruction of lung tissue.

“They didn’t know what it was at first,” Steve explained, “They finally figured out what it was and did the emergency surgery. They didn’t think he was going to make it. It gets into your lungs, and you have to get rid of it.

“It starts eating your lungs away.”

A part of Blake’s right lung had to be removed in that “emergency surgery,” and miraculously, Fowler has recovered and can physically exercise again today.

“He was in the hospital for a long time,” Steve said. “We got him back home and he’s now finishing his degree through Central Methodist online.”

Steve has been guiding the Campbell program for 25 years, so he has no shortage of milestone moments that he can recall. However, none of those accolades mattered one iota as he and his wife, Carie, watched Blake fight for his life with more strength than he ever could have exhibited against a defender on the basketball court.

“When the doctor tells you that (your son) has 24 to 48 hours to live,” Steve said, “everything becomes minute at that point.”

What hasn’t become “minute” to Blake, is his perspective on life.

“I’m at peace with it,” Blake said of knowing life can end in a moment. “I’ve made my way with God. I know that he’s always got me. I have peace about it and I’m not fearful.”

Steve not only has an appreciation that his oldest of three children (including younger son, Drew, and daughter, Bella) is still here on earth, but he is “super excited that Blake is here helping us.”

Steve has given Blake, who had his No. 1 jersey retired earlier this season, advice that not every aspect of the job is glamorous. There are a lot more mundane moments in the shadows than there are times when the crowds are cheering.

“One of the biggest things that I am trying to get him to understand is the daily grind,” Steve said. “You have to work hard every day. Some days, you’ll come in and don’t feel like working. You’re tired because you’ve got back late from Caruthersville, but you still have to come in and you have to grind.

“You have to get the kids to grind. It’s just a daily process.”

The “daily grind” for the three Fowlers (Drew is a junior guard on this year’s team) and their players/teammates has resulted in a lot of success – again.

Of the past 11 seasons, Campbell has only had a losing mark three times.

The Camels are ranked No. 7 in Class 2 (South Pemiscot is ranked No. 9) and Steve and Blake’s kids have won six consecutive games.

“As a player,” Blake said, “I had to make the right plays and the right reads. Now, I’m looking at it like the whole scale.

“Stepping under his wing and learning, it’s the perfect opportunity.”