SPORTS

STORM CENTER: Way back in Tucker’s time

Published

12 years ago

06/27/2014

bowienews

By ERIC VICCARO

bnewssports@sbcglobal.net

Temple Tucker remembers a different era in the National Basketball Association.
Back in the late 1950s, the league was barely a blip on the map. There were only eight franchises. And the NBA Draft certainly wasn’t covered like it is today.
The Philadelphia Warriors drafted Tucker in the fourth round with the 29th pick in 1958. He didn’t see his selection on some television network or a social media service like he would have today.
Tucker said he didn’t know he was drafted until the Philadelphia Warriors gave him a call.
However, a professional basketball career wasn’t meant to be.
“I wasn’t real keen on pro ball,” Tucker said in an interview with The Bowie News on Thursday morning. “I was not excited at the prospects of income. I didn’t like the idea of playing two or three games of week.”
Tucker, who is a proud member of the Bowie Hall of Honor, said the top salary back in those days belonged to St. Louis Hawk Bob Pettit ($25,000).
The Warriors offered Tucker $8,000 per year to start. He was looking for more.
Constant travel didn’t appeal to Tucker, either. See more of this column in the weekend edition of The Bowie News.

Former Bowie High School basketball star Temple Tucker. (Photo courtesy Rice University sports information)

SPORTS

Saint Jo boys roll past Dodd City

Published

7 days ago

01/15/2026

bowienews

Saint Jo’s boys basketball team got off to a quick start and used a big third quarter to take a 65-44 homecourt win over Dodd City Jan. 6.

The Panthers got out to a 19-7 first quarter lead on the Hornets. Barrett Johnson had 13 points for Saint Jo with Trent Gaston adding four and Zeke Bonn having a basket.

Lee Yeley led the hosts in the second quarter with a pair of 3-pointers. Johnson had five points and Gaston a basket.

Dodd City tossed in 18 points but still found themselves down 33-25 at the half.

For further information, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Bulldogs hang tough in loss to Perrin

Published

7 days ago

01/15/2026

bowienews

Many Prairie Valley fans had misgivings about taking state-ranked and defending Class A state champs Perrin Jan. 6, one fan saying “nothing good can come of this.”

The Bulldogs gave a solid showing against the visiting Pirates, staying close for more than three quarters before outside shooting by Perrin enabled the visitors to pull away in a 72-57 win.

Perrin looked to blow things out early, with a 5-0 lead in the opening minute before Sawyer Bray snapped the string. The Pirates went on an 8-0 run for a 13-2 lead mid-quarter.

Prairie Valley’s Trae Campbell showed what kind of night it would be by getting inside for baskets. Jarrett Horton’s 3-pointer capped a 4-of-11 shooting frame for the ‘Dogs, who were down 19-11 after eight minutes.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Rabbit BB falls to Holliday

Published

7 days ago

01/15/2026

bowienews

Several Bowie turnovers in the opening moments Friday night enabled visiting Holliday to get out to a 10-2 lead. The Eagles then used a third quarter offensive explosion for a 72-27 win over the host Rabbits.

Four turnovers in the first 90 seconds hurt the Rabbits, Holliday took advantage and broke things wide open. Holliday led 10-2 with Tyler Richey coming through with the only Bowie points. Cason Airington’s 3-pointers ended a 3-of-8 shooting frame for the Rabbits, which were down 17-8 after one quarter.

Bowie’s shooting continued going downhill into the second quarter, the Rabbits missing all five shots. A free throw by Richey midway through the frame would be the only point. Holliday outscored Bowie 13-1 in the second frame to take a 30-9 lead at the half.

The Visitors opened the third quarter on a 12-1 run, over the first nearly three minutes of the third. Both teams had their best scoring quarters in the third.

For further information, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.