SPORTS
STORM CENTER COLUMN: A memorable basketball year
Last year, the sports editor of The Bowie News found himself on the street without a job after he was the victim of layoffs at the Times Record in Fort Smith, Ark.
It’s never fun for anyone to face an uncertain future.
So, there I was sending my resume around the Midwestern United States, but I primarily focused on Missouri and north Texas.
Last year at this time I was a free agent while scores of professional football players were looking to secure gainful employment as well.
However, there are only 32 National Football League teams. There are plenty more newspapers to work for.
In the end, it came down to two newspapers in the Texoma region – The Bowie News and the Graham Leader.
Back in early June, I wrote in my introductory column I decided to return to Texas because of the sport of football, and the allure of those “Friday Night Lights.”
Looking back at my decision to join the Bowie News, my decision was based more on a different sport – basketball.
Last fall, I looked forlornly while Graham advanced all the way to the Conference 4A Division I semifinals before falling to Argyle 23-20.
I wondered what it would have been like to enjoy the deep playoff run the Steers had.
Especially in light of the fact only one high school in Montague County qualified for the postseason, and that was 6-Man Division II Forestburg.
Chillicothe came back from a huge deficit to defeat the Longhorns on a woefully chilly November night by a count of 58-41 in Archer City. My football season evaporated in one two-hour stretch.
Basketball season was thrust upon me.
And, in the end, the sports editor’s decision to join The Bowie News has appeared more about 3-point field goals rather than kicked field goals; fouls more than penalties and painted lines over chalked lines. Read more in the weekend News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
The sports editor was astounded to see so many Bowie fans in attendance for this Conference 3A regional quarterfinal. The game started at 4 p.m., in order fans could get home to avoid Wednesday night’s wintry weather. Bowie lost to Ponder by 14 points. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
The 19th annual Bullfest came to the county on May 4, hosted at the Saint Jo Rodeo Arena. With bulls provided Big L Rodeo Company, Locke Bucking Bulls and more, it attracted many great riders, both local and farther away. In the end, it was Colby Deel from Jacksboro who won the the senior division round. The junior division winner was Ringo Stummer from Mountain Springs.
To see more photos, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
With the track season firmly over this year, one school went out of its way to encourage its athletes to not only improve on their totals, but set some school records this season.
Brenna Briles set the school record in the girl’s high jump (5-4), triple jump (33 feet), 100 meters (13.11) and the 200 meters (27.87).
Kayden Dill set the school record boy’s 100 meters (11.08) and 200 meters (23.47). Tye Reid set the boy’s 110 meter hurdles record at 18.7 seconds. Jesse Wadsworth set the boy’s 800 meters record with a time of 2:06.
Some relay teams also set some records. The boy’s 4×100 meter team of Jeremiah Perez, Kyler Willett, Will Johnson and Dill set the record with the time of 45.29 seconds.
The 4×400 meter relay team with Christian Binanti, Johnson, Willett and Wadsworth ran a time of 3:40.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
The Prairie Valley Bulldogs will be seeing a new face around the gym and fields next fall with the hiring of a new Athletic Director and Head Coach, Kent Caruthers.
Caruthers will be replacing Coach Seth Stephens, who has accepted a coaching job in LaPoynor, moving closer to his family and hometown. Although Coach Stephens will be missed after six years of being a part of the Prairie Valley family, Coach Caruthers will step into his new role with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Coach Caruthers has coached basketball, football, volleyball, cross country, track and golf.
He has a well-rounded background, which makes him the perfect candidate for a 1A coaching position.
He comes, most recently, from Matagorda where he was the athletic director, boys basketball, volleyball, and track coach.
He spent the majority of his coaching career at Tolar, where he was the head boys basketball coach, defensive coordinator for the varsity football team and head golf coach.
His record and experience speak for themselves, but when asked why he felt led to apply for this position, he said that the move north is all about coaching good kids.
His coaching philosophy revolves around hard work, stating “A winner is someone who recognizes their God-given talents, works their tail off developing the talents into skills and uses these skills to accomplish their goals.”
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
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