By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net

Both the Nocona High School boys and Bellevue girls’ basketball teams have first-year coaches in Tyson Mankin and Bryan Goehring, respectively.
Players are adjusting to new systems with these coaches. Mankin had been coaching most recently in the Brackett Independent School District while Goehring moved back to Clay County from North Carolina.
This past weekend, both programs found some success in the Fantasy of Lights Tournament at Wichita Falls.
The Nocona boys advanced to the consolation championship in the small school division and nearly rallied to defeat Holliday – a preview of coming attractions since both the Indians and Eagles compete in the same district.
Mankin said there’s plenty of room for improvement after the Indians’ 65-62 loss to Holliday.
“I felt like we didn’t play our best at any point of the tournament and we are still going through growing pains that should be expected with a coaching change,” he said. “We have a different style of play, and once we grasp our team offensive and defensive philosophies, we have the potential to be a very good team.”
Goehring won his first two games with Bellevue, defeating Notre Dame 41-31 and then grabbing ninth place with a 40-34 conquest over Uplift N. Hills during Saturday’s slate.
“It was good to finally get some wins under our belt,” Goehring said. “To finally find some success was refreshing. Getting the wins definitely helps with the confidence of the team all around.” Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.

First-year Bellevue High School girls’ basketball coach Bryan Goehring talks to his team during a timeout in a Saturday’s morning tournament game against Notre Dame at City View High School in Wichita Falls. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)