SPORTS

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Botard takes Nocona boys’ post

Published

11 years ago

07/24/2015

By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@gmail.com

The revolving door in and out of the Nocona boys’ basketball program continued this offseason.
Bret Botard, most recently the head coach at Palestine, has been tabbed as the new coach for the Indians.
Botard replaces Tyson Mankin, who was placed on leave during the spring. This will mark the third coach in three seasons for Nocona as J.D. Mayo served in the same capacity in 2013-14.
“I think first and foremost, it’s the community,” said Botard, of what drew him to the Nocona opening. “The town and the people support basketball, and coach (Brad) Keck was a selling point for the job. He wants to make sure all sports are successful.”
Botard was an all-district basketball player for Del Valle, down in the Austin area, during his junior and senior years. He also was a successful athlete in cross country, distance running in track and field and baseball.
After Del Valle, Botard graduated from Texas Tech in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Botard guided Palestine to a successful season during the 2014-15 campaign, losing in the Conference 4A regional quarterfinals 81-78 to Mexia. The team racked up 18 wins this season.
Meanwhile, Nocona also produced a double-digit win campaign, and finished third in District 3A-9 after losing a seeding game to Holliday. Read more in the weekend Bowie News.

Bret Botard has been named Nocona’s new boys’ basketball coach. Botard most recently worked at Palestine. He watched Nocona compete in the Texas Basketball Championships at Colleyville in late June. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)

SPORTS

Bowie, Nocona compete in VB scrimmages

Published

22 hours ago

08/13/2026

bowienews

Nocona’s volleyball team headed to Bowie for a three-team scrimmage with the host team and Ponder Aug. 7.

Each team played the other two for 30 minutes in the Lady Rabbit gym. Lady Indian Coach Sandy Langford said she thought things went well for a first scrimmage.

“Just like any young team that is trying to find itself in a first scrimmage, We looked really good at times and at others not so much,” Langford said. “We’re forming a new team after losing a lot of seniors.”

Langford said the squad would have one thing go wrong and it would explode into several things. That will need to stop for a successful year in Langford’s mind.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Rabbit netters beat Graham

Published

22 hours ago

08/13/2026

bowienews

Bowie’s tennis team is now 3-3 for the non-district campaign with a 1-2 week.

In the Rabbits’ home opener Aug. 5 against Graham, Bowie posted a 13-6 match win with the girls completing a 9-0 sweep.

Jessi Mayfield and Angeles Alvarez won 9-8 (7-4) while Payton Goodwin and Maddie Schwarz were 8-1 winners as were Avery DeWeber and Avery Bonham.

In girl’s singles Willow Seibert won 8-2 in No.1 1 singles. Goodwin and Mayfield were each 8-5 winners. Alvarez posted an 8-1 win. Schwarz won 9-8 (8-5) with Deweber taking an 8-2 decision.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

New Nocona gym nearing completion

Published

1 week ago

08/06/2026

bowienews

Two major portions of Nocona’s 2023 bond issue are very close to being completed.

The new high school gym should be complete in time for the volleyball team to begin practice there Aug. 1, according to Superintendent Dr. David Waters. Ground on the 22,000 square foot facility was broken on Oct. 18, 2024.

Waters said a punch list meeting with the construction manager was scheduled for earlier this week with final touchups expected shortly afterwards. Fans should be able to enjoy the facility for the volleyball team’s season opener Aug. 11.

Fans will enjoy the new gym from entering the facility which has glass walls, enabling fans to watch the game from the foyer. Once inside the gym itself, there is stadium, chair back seating on the home side allowing for a much more comfortable experience.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.