SPORTS
LITTLE DRIBBLERS: Tourney starts today in Nocona
By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net
The Little Dribblers Continental Division national tournament is set to begin today with games throughout Nocona and Saint Jo.
Teams will check in at 9:15 a.m. at the Nocona Junior High School gymnasium, followed by a coaches’ meeting at 10:30 a.m.
The opening ceremonies are set for tonight at 7:15 p.m. in the junior high gym. Teams will bring banners, and all of them will be announced. Select Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will provide entertainment with a couple of cheers.
“We have a good group of volunteers,” said Little Dribblers national tournament director Lance Meekins. “It takes an army of volunteers, and this will help subsidize the league for the next three years. It’s a big deal for us.”
This marks the fifth time the city of Nocona has played host to the national tournament, most recently in 2012. The event produces a large economic impact on both Nocona and Saint Jo.
“There will be about 70 teams,” Meekins said. “It’s one of the greatest things you can see. The goal is to prepare Nocona’s boys and girls for junior high and high school basketball.”
The Continental Division is for boys and girls in Class 2 Division 2 and lower. Overall, there will be about 120 games in six gymnasiums. A roster must feature at least eight qualified players.
Meekins reported games will feature Texas Association of Sports Officials referees from the Denton chapter. Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.
Nocona Little Dribblers. (Provided graphic)
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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