Shaw Sports Icons Vol. 4: Boys Basketball

Located in East Cleveland, Ohio, Shaw High School has one of the most long lasting but underappreciated sports histories in all of the United States.

From being the only school in the state of Ohio to have a stadium that hosted actual NFL games to all of the athletes from the 1800's to the present that have gone on to lead productive lives and make history along the way, Shaw sports has a decorated past that most schools could only wish to own.

Enjoy this continuing series that will introduce you to some of the greatest athletes to ever call themselves Shaw Cardinals. Feel free to join the Shaw Cardinals Sports Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/810810319312653/

STEVE BOWIE - A Truly Talented Cardinal

A member of Shaw’s class of 1994, the 6-7 Steve Bowie was a key member of the Red Ball Express that captured the imagination of the Cleveland area in the early 1990s. As a junior, the forward averaged 16.8 points per game helping Shaw go 22-3 as it qualified for the regional finals. Bowie posted 25 points in the district semifinal and 27 points in the district championship game that season.

After Shaw he competed on the junior college level before finishing his final two seasons at Cleveland State. As a senior (1998-99) he helped guide CSU to its first .500 season since the 1992-93. His shining moment came Jan. 2, 1999 when he had a game-winning put back to help Cleveland State come back from 18 points to defeat South Florida 69-67

BASRA FAKHIR - Legend of Big Bas'

A graduate of Shaw’s 1994 class, when the question is asked, “Who is Shaw’s greatest boys basketball player of all-time,” Basra Fakhir is often in the conversation. Fakhir posted gigantic numbers during his junior and senior seasons as he led Shaw to back-to-back regional appearances. He was an All-Ohio forward both of those seasons as well.

After a senior year where he averaged 20.4 points and 12 rebounds per game, Fakhir was recruited to Ohio University to fill a void as future NBA Lottery Pick Gary Trent was heading out of the door. In college Fakhir earned respect in the Mid American Conference for his rebounding prowess and physical play.

OMARI WESTLEY - One Year Wonder

Class of 2000 Shaw graduate Omari Westley played one year for Shaw but his impact was as valuable as any player since. The 6-7 forward led the high-flying Red Ball Express to a 19-4 record and district finals appearance. He averaged 20.4 points per game and earned All-Ohio second team honors. After Shaw, Westley competed in junior college before playing for Cleveland State as a junior and senior. Westley became one of the best players in the Horizon League as well as one of the top power forwards in the school’s history.

He led the conference in rebounding during both of his seasons and was named first team all-conference in 2004-05 as he led his team in scoring, rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage. Westley showed up big in a near upset against North Carolina in 2003 as he posted 20 points against future NBA forwards Jawad Williams, Sean May.

Shaw Sports History is brought to you by Track Stars App. Click the links below to download the world's first video streaming app for women's track and field for iPhone and Android users.

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Check out the previous volumes at the following links:

Shaw Sports History Vol. 1: Football Icons

https://vocal.media/stories/shaw-sports-history-football-icons-vol-1

Shaw Sports History Vol. 2: Basketball Icons

https://vocal.media/stories/shaw-sports-history-vol-2-boys-basketball-icons

Shaw Sports History Vol. 3: Girls Basketball Icons

https://vocal.media/unbalanced/shaw-sports-history-vol-3-girls-basketball-icons

Stay tuned as we have so many more stories coming that celebrates and informs readers about popular and forgotten legends of Shaw High School.