By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net

Former Bowie High School state champion Bobbie Brashear Jr. is coaching this year’s summer league group.
Brashear was a member of the 1974 state championship team that defeated Friona 76-66 for it all that year. Bowie defeated Rufugio, who was undefeated, in the state semifinals 63-56.
As a means of motivation, the 2015-16 team is selling T-shirts with Brashear’s name, and the rest of the title-winning crew – including the scorekeeper, statisticians and cheerleaders. Charles Blanton was Bowie’s principal, and E.O. Martin was superintendent.
“It’s a nice sentiment from the group,” Brashear said. “If this provides some motivation for the kids, that’s the most important thing.”
Gayno Shelton coached Bowie to the title, with assistants Jeff Jackson and Lyle Burnett. The team also featured David Prater, Lee Ray Massey, Tommy Canon, Darwin McKinley, Rick Belz, Keith Airington, Bill Scaling, Tom Scaling, Ronnie Miller and Kevin Matlock.
Brashear guided the Jackrabbit summer team to victories over Bridgeport, the defending state Conference 4A champion, as well as Springtown on Monday.
“I’m enjoying working with them,” Brashear commented. “They are a good group of kids.”
Bowie’s boys’ basketball team looked in mid-season form, despite Chase Hall and Gary Mosley unavailable due to injury.
Zeke Vaughan, Jeffery Howard, Kaden Ogle, Tilghman Parr, Josh Monkres, Keck Jones, Trace Hardee and Taylor Pigg saw extensive playing time as the Jackrabbits defeated Bridgeport 57-43.
“They pressured the ball well on defense, that was the main thing,” Brashear said.
Bowie basketball players will be working hard on their craft this summer.
This weekend, the Jackrabbits will be competing in the University of Oklahoma Team Overnight Camp in Norman. Last year, 65 teams from as far away as South Dakota competed in the event.
Individual workouts are scheduled with Brashear as well as Dr. Gary Cornelison and Doug Boxell’s son, Isaiah, who most recently was a volunteer assistant coach at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Mass. Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.

Bowie’s Tilghman Parr (left) talks to summer league coach Bobbie Brashear Jr. during Monday’s game versus Bridgeport. Brashear Jr. was on the Jackrabbits’ 1974 state championship team. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)