SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Brown controls running dynasty at Boys Ranch
Cal Farley founded the residential children’s facility known as Boys Ranch, located in the Texas Panhandle, back in 1939.
Since 1994, former Bowie Junior High School coach and teacher Kenneth Brown has worked for Boys Ranch Independent School District – and he’s been part of one of Texas’ most storied traditions – Roughrider boys’ cross country.
“While coaching at Boys Ranch, he’s been very successful in cross country,” said former Bowie athletic director Gayno Shelton in a note written to me.
That might be an understatement.
Boys Ranch has won a district title in boys’ cross country EVERY year since 1981.
Since Brown took over the controls of the program from Buddy Sparks in 2002, the Roughriders have garnered six regional championships and two state titles.
This year, Josh Bush will represent Boys Ranch at the University Interscholastic League state meet – scheduled for today. The 2A boys’ race is set for 3:10 p.m. at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
In 1987, Brown had just graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University with a degree in natural science. He drove from his hometown of Spearman for an interview with Shelton.
“I had put out more than 100 applications,” Brown remembered.
After the process, Brown had to know if he had the job or not. Then Bowie Junior High principal Clyde McMurray green-lighted hiring Brown, and Shelton was elated.
“Gayno sort of adopted me when I worked in Bowie,” Brown said. This weekend, Brown was expected to visit with Shelton here in town.
After three years in Bowie, Brown worked at independent school districts in San Antonio and Sanford-Fritch before landing at Boys Ranch.
When Brown started, he was a teacher, coach and house parent, which he considered “tough.” Read more in the weekend Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Kenneth Brown. (Courtesy photo, used with permission)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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