Gary Bowne never pressured his eldest son to play basketball. He didn't have to.Davis Bowne always wanted to go to the gym with his dad, the longtime coach at St. Stephens High School. "I grew up doing it," Davis said. "As long as I can remember." At coaching clinics, Davis always wanted to meet the other coaches. Before games, Davis always wanted to hang out with the players. Davis played basketball through junior high and high school, where for three years the father and son relationship also included coach and player. Playing a sport with a father as coach often adds stress to the relationship. That didn't happen with the Bownes. "Playing for him helped us get close on and off the court," Davis said. "We would watch game film together and talk about the games." "I really enjoyed it. It was one of the best times we've had. He treated me just like everybody else. We had a great relationship as father and son and player and coach." Davis continued playing the game in college, first at Hampden-Sydney, a small school in central Virginia. Davis initially considered pursuing a degree in engineering or business. After two years at the school, Davis decided to follow Dad's lead and get into coaching. He made the move to Appalachian State, where he also continued his basketball career. Davis will be a rising senior this fall. Gary made it to about 15 of Davis' games last season. Davis' decision has pleased Gary. Dad has seen more focus and commitment from his son. Gary believes Davis will make a solid coach. "I can tell with his grades that this is really something he wants to do and he's found a purpose for what he wants to do with his life," Gary said. "I'm tickled to death he wants to teach and coach. It's almost a calling because there are a lot of sacrifices you have to make. But it's an honorable profession and I think he'll do an excellent job preparing young people for the future." Davis hopes to bring his father's energy and passion for the game to his coaching. He also expects to get some phone calls from Dad for a little advice when his coaching career begins. They've even talked of Dad being an assistant coach. But first Gary plans to continue his coaching career at least until youngest son, Harrison, a St. Stephens freshman, graduates high school. Gary gives a good portion of the credit for raising his three sons - middle son, Garrett, is a freshman at Appalachian - to wife, Lisa. "Coaches' families sacrifice a lot because of time," Gary said. "She has had to be Mom and Dad a lot. She made sure the homework got done and they were in bed on time." Still, Gary and Davis found time to spend together. And it usually revolved around basketball. Both of them remember many evening one-on-one games in the driveway. "We're definitely really close and basketball brought us a lot closer," Davis said. Gary says Davis has been a pleasure to have as a son. "I'm proud to be known as Davis' Dad," he said.