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Despite not having chain mail hanging in his garage, Hayden Bowen is a Knight through and through, as in kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Bowen and basketball teammate Levi Van Staalduinen are the only two seniors remaining from the class that started 13 years ago. After not playing much his first two years, Bowen joined the career 1,000 point club late in his final year. He’s also a Beta Club straight A student and a member of the school’s leadership team.

1. What are your thoughts on scoring 1,000 career points?

Hayden: If you had asked me in 8^th grade if it would happen, I would have said there’s no way it’s happening. We had a lot of older guys my first two years and our team was really good, so I barely saw the floor. I started my sophomore year and did okay, but decided I wanted to really work to do my best my last two years. Getting to the 1,000 point level made it all worth it.

2. What did you do to improve?

Hayden: I’ve always liked basketball, but I spent a lot more time in the gym working on my shot. I shot a lot at Athletic Edge and Fitness Unlimited in Washington, some at school and a lot in my backyard. My three point shot got a lot better and these past two seasons have been a lot more fun.

3. Describe your approach as you got closer to 1,000 points.

Hayden: I’ve always tried to use whatever talent I have to help our team. My role has changed every year as older players leave, so scoring was what I needed to do to help us win. I basically got to 1,000 in two years, so I knew it was coming. It happened during the first quarter of our conference tournament game against Albemarle at Northeast Academy. I had 14 points in the quarter and I think 1,000 came on the layup. I finished with 36 and we won, so it was pretty cool.

4. What are your plans after graduation?

Hayden: I’ve been accepted to East Carolina, but am waiting to hear from North Carolina St. I’d like to go there for Mechanical Engineering. I’ve always enjoyed being creative and designing things. I enjoy the design process, but am not sure what career path I will take. I need to get in, then graduate from here and the rest will fall into place.

5. Are you rooting for the Wolfpack in the men’s basketball tournament?

Hayden: Yes. Me, my dad and my oldest brother are N.C. St. fans, but my mom and middle brother are UNC fans. It was a tough year for them, but maybe State can pull off the upset and win it all.