SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Hill recalls Nocona title
Adrian Hill sat in his room at Grace Care Center in Nocona on Wednesday morning and recalled memories from the Indians’ 1944 state championship team.
Reportedly, along with Hill, there are three members of that title team still surviving to this day.
One of those men is James Eastup, who nailed the game-winning shot.
When Hill saw the ball in the air he said, “I thought we were going to lose.” Then Eastup’s shot drained through the hoop, and Nocona defeated Mt. Vernon 33-32 in overtime.
Even 70 years later, Hill said he couldn’t believe what he saw. He said people in Nocona even turned off their radios before Eastup’s shot, thinking the Indians had lost.
But, that certainly wasn’t the case. Last year, Hill and Eastup caught up on old times at Yesteryear, an assisted living facility in Nocona. Eastup lives these days in Odessa.
Bill Teague, another member from the squad, lives in Abilene.
Pam Walker, Bowie, and Paula Tompkins of Spanish Fort were also present for the interview. The women reported Teague has suffered strokes, and that took away Bill’s ability to speak. Read more from sports editor Eric Viccaro’s column in the weekend edition of The Bowie News.
Nocona resident Adrian Hill, one of three surviving members of the Indians Conference A state boys basketball championship team. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News