By Brad Morris
SportingPumpkin.com
ASHVILLE — When discussing the play of Teays Valley senior Cameron Dyas-Rogers this season, toughness was the first word that came to the mind of coach Brian Barnett.
“We were getting ready to play Bloom-Carroll back in mid-December and I look over and see Cam laying down on the floor, grabbing his knee and I told myself, ‘Oh boy, this is never good’.” he said. “Cam went and got it checked out, he put a brace on and the next night he scores 18 points in three quarters against the best team in our league.
“I can’t think of another kid in our program who is tougher than Cam is. I think his example of playing through that torn meniscus rubbed off on some of our other kids and they played through smaller injuries they could play through, because Cam was doing it.”
Dyas-Rogers acknowledged playing through pain for the remainder of the season, but the decision to play was simple for him.
“It was my senior year, and I wasn’t going to have my senior year taken away from me,” he said. “I saw a trainer and he said I’d be fine playing through it if I could stand the pain.
“I enjoy playing basketball and I enjoy playing with my teammates, building relationships and growing friendships.”
Dyas-Rogers, a 6-foot-5 post player, made his presence known for the Vikings this season by averaging 10.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. In recognition of his efforts, Dyas-Rogers earned the Bob Bowsher Memorial Trophy, presented to the top senior boys basketball player in Pickaway County.
“It means a lot for me to win this award, because a lot of good players and good people have come through Teays Valley and the other county schools who have won this award before me,” Dyas-Rogers said. “This award also represents my teammates, coaches and all the people around me, because I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Dyas-Rogers is the 17th Viking to win the award and first from Scioto Township.
“(Assistant coach Mike Browning) and I were talking and we figured out that I’m the first kid from Scioto Township to win this award, even going back to win the (township) schools won the award before (consolidation),” Dyas-Rogers said. “Scioto Township used to be a small township, but it’s really growing now and I guess this is symbolic of that.”
Dyas-Rogers discussed how he has played with more confidence as he’s gained experience at the varsity level.
“I used to be a little unsure of myself earlier in my career, but I’m become a lot more confident as a player, especially in my senior season,” he said. “I’ve worked in school and travel ball with scoring in the paint and around the basket more and also using my height to grab rebounds.
“I’m one of the tallest players in the county, so I view the paint as mine.”
Barnett said he could see Dyas-Rogers’ potential as he matured during high school.
“I knew we had something in Cam when he was a freshman and sophomore and it’s really came together over the last two seasons,” he said. “He’s very athletic, his hands are really good and those two things help make Cam the player that he is.”
Dyas-Rogers pointed to wins over Fairfield Union and Liberty Union as two of the highlights the Vikings had this season.
Dyas-Rogers chipped in nine points during the 56-55 win at Fairfield Union and had 15 points, as the Vikings outscored host Liberty Union 34-25 in the second half to post a 55-49 win.
“I felt we played with a lot of poise and well overall as a team in both of those games to win,” Dyas-Rogers said.
Dyas-Rogers is looking at a trio of colleges and is leaning towards majoring in exercise science.
“I took anatomy this year and it has me interested in the body,” he said. “I’ve also been through physical therapy, so I’m used to that environment.”
Bob Bowsher Memorial Trophy winners
1948 — James Picklesimer, Williamsport
1949 — Robert Pontius, Walnut
1950 — William Rowley, Darby
1951 — Lester Sanders, Monroe
1952 — Harley Evans, Atlanta
1953 — William Evans, Pickaway
1954 — Kenneth Kirk, New Holland
1955 — Harold Gerhardt, Atlanta
1956 — Gene Stonerock, Williamsport
1957 — Dave Smith, Pickaway
1958 — Richard Hoover, Ashville
1959 — Gary Valentine, Saltcreek
1960 — Robert Hoover, Ashville
1961 — Robert Eitel, Jackson
1962 — Thomas Rathburn, Ashville
1963 — Rick Pond, Williamsport
1964 — Tom Seeley, Monroe
1965 — Bill Fortner, Teays Valley
1966 — Neil Coleman, Westfall
1967 — Russ Merrin, Logan Elm
1968 — Charles Palmer, Westfall
1969 — Tom Lightie, Westfall
1970 — Dale Lambert, Teays Valley
1971 — Mark Knece, Logan Elm
1972 — Terry Morrison, Circleville
1973 — Tom Sykes, Logan Elm
1974 — Craig Pontius, Teays Valley
1975 — Perry Hoskins, Circleville
1976 — Biff Bumgarner, Circleville
1977 — Chuck Cave, Logan Elm
1978 — Toren Bensonhaver, Circleville
1979 — Terry Wright, Logan Elm
1980 — John Sanders, Teays Valley
1981 — Jerry Mowery, Westfall
1982 — Brad Rivers, Westfall
1983 — Doug Hoover, Teays Valley
1984 — Luke McConnell, Circleville
1985 — Marc Gothard, Teays Valley
1986 — Kyle Wolfe, Westfall
1987 — Trond Smith, Logan Elm
1988 — Shane Roese, Teays Valley
1989 — Mike Miller, Teays Valley
1990 — Donn Rathburn, Teays Valley
1991 — Chris Strawser, Circleville
1992 — Ashley Hoskins, Circleville
1993 — Brian Dollison, Westfall
1994 — Brandon Lambert, Teays Valley
1995 — Tony Picklesimer, Westfall
1996 — Trevor Younkin, Teays Valley
1997 — Thom Patete, Westfall
1998 — Lee Gunn, Logan Elm
1999 — Brad Brooks, Logan Elm
2000 — Tyler Schleich, Westfall
2001 — Adam Stewart, Teays Valley
2002 — Matt Fosnaugh, Teays Valley
2003 — Craig Stewart, Circleville
2004 — Drew Shaw, Westfall
2005 — Tyler Evans, Logan Elm
2006 — Evan Blake, Logan Elm
2007 — Cory Cooper, Circleville
2008 — Steve Largent, Logan Elm
2009 — Tim Congrove, Logan Elm
2010 — Adam Blake, Logan Elm
2011 — Nate Anderson, Teays Valley
2012 — Nathan Moats, Circleville
2013 — Alek Stonerock, Westfall
2014 — Dillon Young, Logan Elm
2015 — Preston Gothard, Teays Valley
2016 — Michael Camp, Circleville
2017 — Ridge Young, Logan Elm
2018 — Isaac Roese, New Hope
2019 — Ryan Wolfe, Teays Valley
2020 — Jay Wyman, Westfall
2021 — Isaac Ward, Logan Elm
2022 — Cameron Dyas-Rogers, Teays Valley
— Bob Bowsher was an outstanding student-athlete from Circleville who died in World War II serving his country.