LEROY – While he fills all facets of the game for his team, LeRoy/Ostrander senior forward Josh Rowe recently achieved a milestone for his scoring when he reached 1,000 points for his career.

The 6-foot, 4-inch Rowe has been a starter for the past three years for the Cardinals and has led the team in scoring the past two seasons, while being the second leading scorer his sophomore season.

“It means a lot, and it’s been a goal since sophomore year,” Rowe said of the 1,000-point mark.

While scoring (he averages 20.5 points per game) is a big part of Rowe’s game, he also leads the team in many other categories, including field goal percentage (52 percent), assists (3.2 per game), rebounding (10.3 per game), shot blocking (1.4 per game), steals (1.8 per game) and even in leadership itself.

“We ask a lot out of him. He’s a very, very good ball player and even a better kid,” L/O head coach Jason Herber said. “He’s vocal in the locker room, in practice and out on the floor. Offensively, we run almost everything through him and he hasn’t had a bad game yet. If we get everyone on his level, we’re tough to beat.”

Rowe hopes his hard work ethic and unselfishness rubs off on a relatively young L/O squad that has just three seniors, two juniors, and four sophomores.

“I just try to set a good example for the younger kids, by working hard and hopefully the game goes good,” Rowe said. “(On offense) if the double team comes I’ll just look for the open guy and I’ll take the shots when they’re there.”

Rowe’s hard work has also given the Cards an Energizer Bunny of sorts, as he rarely comes out of the game and still doesn’t miss a beat on either end of the floor.

“During the game I don’t really think about it, but after the game, my legs are pretty tired,” Rowe said.

Herber said that Rowe is one of the best captains he’s had in his six years with the Cardinals. The senior keeps a healthy balance on the court.

“He’s a fierce competitor, but he also makes sure he has fun. I think that helps his game,” he said.

The Cardinals (7-6 overall) just finished a stretch where they lost to Southland 81-76 in overtime, fell to Mabel/Canton 38-36, and beat Grand Meadow 70-34.

Chances are Rowe, who scored his 1,000th point against the Rebels, was more affected by the two losses.

“I like to win, obviously. Everyone who plays wants to win. But I take those close losses pretty hard,” Rowe said.

As far as the season goes, Rowe hopes the Cards can get to the Section 1A Tournament to play in Rochester Civic Center.