SPORTS
BOYS BASKETBALL: Saint Jo turns back Turner
By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net
The Saint Jo High School boys’ basketball team was a study in perseverance on Tuesday night versus Turner.
The Panthers kept chipping away at Turner’s lead during the third and early fourth quarters in the same manner a whittler works with wood.
With 3 minutes, 35 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Panthers took their first lead since the opening quarter as Wyatt West sent a nifty pass to James Schoppa inside for a basket.
With momentum clearly on Saint Jo’s side, the Panthers eventually registered a 45-40 victory over Turner in a game marked by physical play – it essentially turned into an all-out border skirmish between Texas and Oklahoma high schools.
“The Dome” was transformed into a raucous atmosphere, and the Panthers gave the hometown folks a reason to smile at the end under first-year head coach Brian Blank.
“I thought the kids did a great job coming back from behind and finding a way to win,” Blank said.
“Once we settled down and got into the offense, we were able to get some good shots,” the coach continued. “Wyatt West did a great job of handling the ball.”
Blank said the Panthers picked up their defensive intensity in the second half – giving Saint Jo the ability to force some turnovers.
Saint Jo basketball player Anthony Gutierrez (32) looks to box out a player from Turner (Okla.) during the second quarter of Tuesday’s game at “The Dome” in Saint Jo. The Panthers topped the Falcons 45-40. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (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.
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